Gift ideas and events for every type of Mom

April 26, 2023

You might feel under pressure to find just the right gift for Mom, but it’s actually easier than you think, especially with help from this Mother’s Day Shopping Guide.

All moms are different. While some are into fashion and have a love of all things coffee, others are outdoorsy or like to dig in the garden. A Mother’s Day present does not need to cost a lot; in fact, many fantastic gifts can be inexpensive or even free. The perfect gift might not be a gift at all but an activity.

A simple guideline for Mother’s Day gifting is to keep it from the heart.

Here are a few ideas for several types of moms:

OUTDOOR MOM

Get your outdoorsy mother a Texas State Parks Pass, good for free entrance at all Texas state parks, including Enchanted Rock. Staff photo by Jennifer Greenwell

Texas State Parks Pass, which gives you free entry to state parks for a year

Sunglasses with ultraviolet protection

Lightweight long-sleeve shirt with ultraviolet protection

Reusable water bottle with filter

Gift basket: Tuck some outdoor essentials like sunscreen, bug spray, compass, whistle, or chapstick in a drawstring backpack.

Activity: Pack a picnic and take Mom for an afternoon at a park. Go for a walk, hike, or just explore. Check out the 101 Outdoors Guide for ideas.

COOKING MOM

Buy the ingredients for your mother's favorite meal then cook and enjoy it together.

Put together a small container herb garden

Fun salt/pepper shakers

Gift basket: Colorful utensils, a cute reusable shopping bag, and bottle(s) of special oils/vinegars arranged in a bright, cheery container.

Activity: Cook with Mom. Find out what her favorite meal is and you do the shopping. Then, prepare and enjoy the meal together.

STYLISH MOM

Trendy sunglasses

Mother’s jewelry (with child/children’s birthstones, birthdates, names)

Locket with photo

Charm bracelet with charms symbolizing special events in her life.

Gift basket: Fun shades of lipstick and/or nail polish, purse-sized perfume, and her favorite magazine arranged in a makeup travel bag/case.

Activity: Family face mask time with manis/pedis.

Check out the 101 Shopping Guide for more ideas.

GARDENING MOM

Outfit your gardening mother with the latest and cutest gear.

Cute garden gloves

Watering can

Yard art

Bird bath

Gift basket: Hand cream, sunscreen, bug spray, packet of flower seeds tucked in a pretty pot.

Activity: Assemble a succulent container garden or create a fairy garden with Mom.

Find expert advice in the 101 Lawn & Garden Guide.

COFFEE MOM

Stock up on your mother's favorite coffee and add a funny or personalized mug.

A bag — or pods — of her favorite coffee.

Personalize a mug or add a vinyl sticker to a stainless travel cup.

Gift basket: Flavorings to add into coffee, individually wrapped biscotti, and gift card from her favorite coffee shop tucked into a large coffee mug.

Activity: Treat Mom to a morning or afternoon coffee at her favorite (or a new!) shop and learn something about her you didn’t previously know. Maybe make question cards ahead of time and take turns asking and answering.

Here’s a list of Highland Lakes coffee (and tea) shops.

ANY MOM

Movie gift basket: Pop her favorite movie, movie theater candies, and movie passes/gift card into a tub of microwavable popcorn.

Candy bouquet: Pick her favorite candies attached to ends of sticks arranged in a vase or pot. Check out Ms Lollipop in Marble Falls for candy inspiration.

Flavor or color gift basket: Look for items in Mom’s favorite color or flavor and arrange them in this fun, themed basket.

FREE OR INEXPENSIVE IDEAS

Make a handwritten book.List 5 things each person loves/appreciates about Mom along with a short paragraph of a favorite memory or fun time each has had with her.

Pick a wildflower bouquet to put in a vase or jar.

Make fingerprint/handprint artwork.

Take fun photos of the kids to frame. Silly poses, spell out M-O-M, recreate poses from old photos, etc.

MOTHER’S DAY-THEMED EVENT

10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12 — St. Frederick's Baptist Church, 301 Avenue N in Marble Falls, hosts a Mother's Day barbecue and bazaar to benefit the future African American History Museum on church grounds. Shop for bluebonnet quilts and gift baskets and enjoy barbecue ribs.