Your mom may insist that the best Mother’s Day present is your presence, but trust me: What she really wants is some quality time plus a little something she wouldn't have thought to buy herself.
If you’re looking for thoughtful gift ideas for the mom who cooks—or at least likes to eat what you cook—we’re here to help you claim the title of Favorite Child once and for all. Whether your mom likes to bake, host, sip tea with abandon, shake a mean mezcal margarita, or scold you for not rinsing the rice three times, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our list of gifts big and small that’ll make her feel extra special come May 11.
Our top picks
- For the busy mom who is so over grocery shopping: Green Chef
- For the mom who’s still printing out online recipes: Apple iPad
- For the mom who prefers to stay analogue: Papier Recipe Journal
- For the new mom who needs caffeine delivered to her door: Trade Coffee Subscription
- For the mom who loves to throw a dinner party: Holcomb Studio Puddle Coasters
- For the mom who deserves her flowers: Farmgirl Flowers Hop Scotch Flower Arrangement
- For the mom in need of a time-saving kitchen hack: Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Last-minute gifts
We’re less than a week from the big day. Gulp. If you’re still looking for that special something, you’ll need to pick a present that ships fast.
For the busy mom who is so over grocery shopping: Green Chef
What mom doesn't want to feed her family delicious, nutritious, home-made meals? Less easy to come by, though, is a mom who has the time—and mental energy!—to plan a weekly menu and get to the grocery store. With a subscription to Green Chef, “the first CCOF (California Certified Organic)-certified organic meal kit company” (per the brand's website), Mom can get veggie-rich meals on the table with far less hassle. As senior writer Emily Farris puts it in her review: “If your goal is to feed your family organic home-cooked meals—but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen every weeknight—this is a great option.” So help a girl out, why dontcha?
For the mom who craves a post-dinner sweet treat: Compartés Floral Truffles Gift Box
Give the mom who always needs a square of chocolate after dinner this delightful box of truffles from Compartés, which has been producing handcrafted chocolates in LA since 1950. The flavors are inspired by spring florals (think raspberry rose, grapefruit lavender, strawberry vanilla, and coconut lemongrass) and each truffle is adorned with a playful flower design that matches the display-worthy box. (Fun fact: The brand’s chocolate bar wrappers are so gorgeous, they’ve been displayed in the Smithsonian museum.)
For the afternoon tea drinker: Le Creuset Demi Kettle
Your mom has received 18 coffee mugs from you over the years (including those ones you painted two decades ago at Color Me Mine). Enough. This year, prove you’re a grown-up and get her a quality kettle instead. This Le Creuset stunner comes in a zillion hues, but we’re partial to this particular shade of blue; it’s a fun pop of color that’s still muted enough to look good in any kitchen. Or if your mom has a Le Creuset Dutch oven, go with a color that matches or complements it.
For the artsy mom: Peter Shire Splatter Mug
If you do really want to get Mom a mug, make it a special one. These beauties from Los Angeles–based artist Peter Shire are produced in small batches and signed and dated by the studio. They check all of the boxes for a great gift: something your mom probably wouldn’t buy herself, but will spark joy while being highly functional. Director of creative development Paz Mendez Hodes loves to give these as gifts for exactly that reason. “[They] give you the luxury of drinking coffee out of a cute little sculpture every morning,” says Paz.
For the coffee fiend: Trade Coffee Subscription
.jpg)
You can’t make a fresh cup of coffee without fresh beans. Help Mom upgrade her setup with a Trade coffee subscription, which takes into account her flavor preferences, go-to brewing method, and even add-ins like oat milk, cream, and sugar, before recommending choice bags of beans from excellent roasters. Monthly subscriptions start at $15.75 a bag and have no minimum requirement. You can choose the frequency of Mom’s subscription box and whether she’d like the beans ground or whole.
For the mom who’s always braising something: Made In Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
If your mom doesn’t already own a Dutch oven, consider it your duty to fix that this Mother’s Day. This kitchen essential is made for slow braises, bubbling stews, no-knead bread, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Our senior commerce writer, Emily Farris, swears by Made In’s enameled cast-iron version, calling it an affordable option that holds its own against higher-end models. It has some features that other brands, like Le Creuset, are missing, like wide, flat handles that are easy to grip (even with oven mitts) and a sturdy stainless-steel knob. Gift it now, and you might just get short ribs in return.
For the mom who loves to bake: Adjustable Wood Rolling Pin
We’re not trying to suggest your mother’s pie crust is less than perfect. (It’s perfect!) But a rolling pin with numeric markers provides an easy cheat when measuring out the length or diameter of doughs. This one from Joseph Joseph also has adjustable silicone rings that’ll help Mom achieve the ideal thickness for her cookies, tart linings, or biscuits.
For the daily toast eater: Bonne Maman Limited Edition Gift Tin
Give the mom who loves a slice of toast with jam in the morning this limited edition gift set of preserves. It features nine flavors that include Blueberry & Blackcurrant, Cherry Hibiscus, Grapefruit & Dragon Fruit, and Fig Cardamom—no plain old strawberry or orange marmalade here. Oh, and the best part? They all come in a beautiful reusable tin.
For the mom who likes to stay neat and tidy: Linen Blend Square Neck Crossback Apron
Traditional aprons can be bulky and inflexible and usually have us folding the waist over on itself to fit more petite frame. That’s why a more flattering alternative is this crossback apron with a cotton-linen fabric that makes for a light and airy texture that makes it both pleasant to wear and easy to wash. Alma Avalle, BA’s digital operations associate, named this as her top affordable pick in a test of 12 aprons: “I’m a big fan of its deep front pockets, where you’ll usually find my instant-read thermometer and a silicone spatula, and its many color options, which gives you some room to customize your apron to your personal style.”
For the mom who deserves her flowers: Farmgirl Flowers Hop Scotch Flower Arrangement
What’s a Mother’s Day gift guide without a floral arrangement? Sure, you could order a centerpiece from any online retailer, but we’re partial to Farmgirl Flowers, a female-founded company that creates its bouquets based on whatever looks best from its growers rather than a preset formula. That means every arrangement feels thoughtful and completely unique, just like your mom. We also love that you can tack on extras like chocolates, tea, or caramel popcorn for a gift that goes beyond the bouquet.
For the mom who likes to make her own salad dressings: Kosterina Extra Virgin Olive Oil Duo
If your mom makes her own dressings, she deserves an olive oil that’s more than just decent. Kosterina’s cold-pressed Greek EVOO has a fruity flavor and a sky-high polyphenol count (anti-inflammatory antioxidants), so it’s both delicious and healthy. This gift set includes their Everyday oil, great for baking and sautéing, and their Original, which deserves to be drizzled generously over everything from salads to ice cream. Once she tastes it, she’ll never go back to the cheap plastic jugs.
For the mom who loves a good cooking project: Marcato 150 Pasta Maker
There's nothing quite like a bowl of umami-rich marinara sauce with chewy, al dente noodles—that is, of course, until you’ve had a bowl of fresh pasta that you’ve made with your own two hands! Making pasta is fun, it’s rewarding, and it requires a few ingredients (sometimes just two!), but the payoff is huge. The Marcato 150 rolls out smooth sheets of dough with ease, and its adjustable settings make it easy to switch up the thickness and shape. And, come on, doesn’t it look pretty stylish? Gift it with a bag of “00” flour and your favorite jarred sauce for an unforgettable pasta night.
For the mezcal-loving mom: Vamonos Riendo Mezcal
Well-balanced and gently smoky, Vamonos Riendo mezcal is made from two types of agaves—eight-year-old Espandín and Tobalá, which takes around 14 years to reach maturity. Inspired by the celebratory pechuga-style of mezcals, it’s triple-distilled, with fruit added to the still during the final pass. The result is citrusy and vegetal, making it ideal for sipping straight or topped with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Pair it with a gorgeous piece of handmade glassware if you really want to go above and beyond.
For the mom who doesn’t drink alcohol: Ghia Le Fizz
We’re big fans of Ghia’s nonalcoholic aperitifs and canned spritzes here at BA, but when it comes to setting a celebratory mood, you just can’t beat the drink maker’s Le Fizz. Flavored with orange blossom and strawberry, it’s delightfully tart and dry, with just a hint of sweetness. For a limited time, Ghia is offering customizable labels perfect for adding a personal touch to your Mother’s Day gift.
For the mom who loves to cook: Hedley & Bennett Chef’s Knife
If your mom cooks frequently and hasn’t replaced her chef’s knife since before you were born, give her this great all-arounder from Hedley & Bennett. In our testing, we loved how well-balanced and comfortable this knife was to grip and maneuver, thanks to the seamless transition between its handle and blade, and the fact that it comes in a few colors. While you’re at it, make sure all of Mom’s knives stay up to snuff with a gift card for Knife Aid’s mail in sharpening service.
For the mom whose favorite pan is her cast iron: Field Company Mother Lode Starter Set
While your mom’s current cast-iron skillet will last forever, there’s no reason you can’t add to her collection. If she’s been using a heavy, “new”-style skillet like a Lodge, gift her this set of vintage-style pans from Field Company. They’re lightweight (for a cast-iron skillet, at least) and have a smooth surface that aids their nonstick properties. This set comes with both a 10¼" and an 8⅜" pan, plus a leather handle cover, a sturdy metal spatula, and some tools for keeping those skillets in tip-top shape.
For the mom who hasn’t replaced her spices since 1990: Curio Spice Co. Culinary Essentials Set
Did you know that you should replace your spices every three months? While they won’t actually go “bad” in that time, ground spices lose their potency way faster than you’d think. If your mom has been using the same bottle of cinnamon since before you can remember, give her the gift of more flavorful food with this set of essentials from Curio Spice Co. Think of these as elevated versions of the basic spices she’ll use every day—things like Indian turmeric, Sri Lankan ground ginger, Spanish smoked paprika, and Turkish Maras biber that’ll give her usual chile flakes a run for their money.
For the mom who’s obsessed with tinned fish: Fishwife Mother’s Day Gift Box
If your mom always keeps a stash of tinned fish in the pantry, get her this gift box from Fishwife that includes a tin each of Smoked Rainbow Trout and Albacore Tuna With Spanish Lemon, a set of tinned fish tongs, the brand’s new cookbook, and limited edition goodies like custom sticky notes for mom’s cookbook notes.
For the taco Tuesday enthusiast: Masienda Tortillero
So you’ve done family taco night and everyone fought over who got to press the tortillas. Now, keep them soft and warm until they get to the table! These pretty little pouches are made by seamstress and artisan Deisy Martínez in Oaxaca City and sold through Masienda, our go-to for masa harina and other single-origin Mexican ingredients. Of course, this tortillero looks best when filled to the brim with a stack of tender, freshly pressed tortillas—but off duty, it’s just as good for storing doodads.
For the frequent entertainer: Holcomb Studio Puddle Coaster
We’re kind of obsessed with these sleek silver coasters from Seattle-based design studio Holcomb. They’re neutral enough to go with any tablescape or living room setup, but their eye-catching designs will have your mom’s next dinner party guests asking where she got them. Holcomb’s entire line of kitchen and tableware is worth perusing, for that matter. Pair the coasters with this chic carafe or a matching wine decanter.
For the mom who loves a good cocktail party: Piecework Hors D’Oeuvres Cocktail Napkins
The mom who’s constantly plotting her next happy hour soirée will appreciate a set of linen cocktail napkins from Piecework. The brand makes a ton of different versions, but we’re partial to this hors d’oeuvres–themed set that features a tin of sardines, an olive, an oyster, and a wedge of cheese. These would be great paired with the coasters above if you’re really trying to go all out.
For the mom who’s still printing out online recipes: Apple iPad
Allow your mom to save paper and time with a tablet she can use to easily view recipes as she cooks. Pair it with a digital subscription to BA and Epicurious and pre-install the Epi app on her new device so she can get started saving recipes (and cooking them!) right away.
For the mom who writes things down by hand: Papier Custom Stationery and Recipe Journal
A set of custom stationery makes a great gift for moms who have been reminding you to write your thank-you notes for the past 32 years. London-based Papier makes a range of fun designs at a palatable price point, without compromising on the satisfyingly thick paper quality. These stylish notecards can be used as stationery or for writing down family recipes.
If your mom develops her own recipes or likes to journal meals and track adjustments she makes to online recipes, consider Papier’s recipe journal. Its smart layout allows her to record recipes, yes, but also to rate them and to add notes and adjustments. There’s also space to jot down memories of dinner parties or family gatherings attached to those recipes.
For the mom who’s still making stovetop rice: Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Give the gift of perfect rice every time, at the push of a button. Even if your mom is married to her stovetop rice method, we’re confident the Zojirushi NP-HCC10 will convert her to the rice cooker way of life. This model has been our favorite rice cooker for years because of its intuitive interface, bevy of helpful features, and, of course, the superior rice it produces.
Related:
