20 Unique Mother’s Day Gifts for Under $30

Since becoming an official U.S. holiday in 1914, Mother’s Day has staked its claim as the busiest day of the year for the restaurant and floral industries, and is the third-largest day of the year for greeting card companies. In 2023, it is estimated that Americans will spend more than $35 billion on flowers, dinners, shows, and all the other Mother’s Day staples.

But that doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot to show mom you care. Whether yours has a green thumb, loves the great outdoors, or just likes to treat herself, we’ve rounded up 20 unique Mother’s Day gifts you can pick up this year for $30 or less.

1. iWALK Mini Portable Charger with Built-in Cable; $26

Give mom the gift of better battery life with this portable mini charger. It’s roughly the size of a tube of lipstick and can fit easily in a purse or pocket. Not only that, but it features a built-in lightning connector, so all she has to do is plug it into her iPhone and she'll be good to go. You can also grab one that's built for Android devices, in case she has a Samsung or Google Pixel phone instead.

Buy it: Amazon

2. Heart Bouquet Puzzle; $27

Why gift mom a bouquet of flowers when you could give her some that will never wilt in the first place? This heart-shaped puzzle is a floral fiesta of sorts and includes 634 pieces, so its both a heartwarming piece of artwork and a fun-filled brainteaser, all in one.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

3. My Family Cookbook; $30

Every family has their own special recipes, likely passed down from generation to generation. With this sweet cookbook, you can help mom remember all her favorites from over the years. There’s room to include more than 80 recipes, as well as tips, tables, and space for family members to share their thoughts. So even though this is a gift for mom, it’s really like a gift for your whole clan, and could be something you all do together the next time you go home for a visit.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

4. Bear Butt Camping Hammock; $30

Even outdoorsy moms want to relax after a long day of hiking. Give her a bed softer than the forest floor with this comfy camping hammock from Bear Butt. The two-person hammocks come in a wide range of colors and have a 210-thread count, so your mom can relax in style. Plus, they’re made of heavy-duty nylon, meaning they’re durable, too. The hammocks are set up using adjustable straps (no knot-tying or hammering involved) and when they’re ready to be taken down, they can be rolled into their carrying case for easy storage. Even though it weighs under two pounds, it can hold up to 500 pounds, so if mom wants to snuggle up with dad under the stars, she can.

Buy it: Amazon

5. Cabeau Fold ‘n Go Travel and Throw Blanket Plus Compact Case; $25

If your mom has trips coming up, a new travel pillow could be a thoughtful way to make her journey a little easier. This one from Cabeau is technically a microfiber blanket, but it can be folded into a carrying case made from the same material. When the pillow is inside the case, it works as a pillow or as a seat cushion for added lumbar support, so mom can stay warm on her flight in more ways that one. The brand also offers standard travel pillows (like this one), in case you think she’d prefer something more traditional instead.

Buy it: Amazon

6. mDesign Single Bottle Wine Chiller; From $22

Make your mom’s next bottle of vino a little nicer with this wine chiller. Available in three colorways (including white marble), the tabletop bottle holder and cooler fits most wine bottles and can also serve as a great centerpiece for her table. If she wants to use it as a vase or as storage for kitchen utensils when she isn't entertaining guests, that works too.

Buy it: Amazon

7. Women Who Dared Wine Glasses; From $16

Your mom can celebrate some of history’s other great women with these inspiring wineglasses. Honoring Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, Clara Barton, and Sojourner Truth, each stemless wineglass features the signature and writings of their dedicated feminist icon, along with an image that symbolizes their most significant accomplishment. With this gift, you can “toast to women who dare to challenge social norms and push for progress.” That, of course, should include your own Mother’s Day heroine.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

8. Harry Potter Knitting Magic Book; $16

If your mom’s a Harry Potter fan who just so happens to love knitting, look no further. This magical book features more than 25 projects based on the classic Harry Potter movies, and the patterns range from clothing items (like a Weasley Christmas sweater) to “movie keepsakes” (like a miniature, knitted version of Hedwig). Each pattern is accompanied by original costume sketches, fun facts about the movies, and behind-the-scenes stories, making it a better gift than even a Hogwarts letter. Include some sewing supplies (like this $10 Artika sewing kit) along with the book to make sure your mom is fully stocked for her first project.

Buy it: Amazon

9. Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio; $30

Ahead of mom’s next book club meeting or Saturday afternoon spent in the garden, consider gifting her this set of sugar cubes along with a bottle of the bubbly. All she has to do is slip one in her drink and she’ll have a mimosa (or bellini) to enjoy while she goes about her day. You can also choose from two different sets made by creator Allison DeVane: one filled with peach and berry flavors, and another with grapefruit, lemon, and arcadia orange.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

10. Garden Republic Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit; $27

Help your mom find her green thumb with this “Herbs in the Burbs” starter kit, which includes organic, non-GMO seeds for cilantro, thyme, parsley, and basil plants, along with potting soil discs, burlap grow bags, plant markers, and a set of shears. You can even use the packaging as a planter box. With this kit, your mom will have fresh herbs all year long—and because they can grow either inside or outside, she’ll never have to go farther than the nearest windowsill to get them.

Buy it: Amazon

11. Roku Express; $25

Not all moms are tech-savvy, but they all deserve to be able to watch what they want, whenever they want. Take the guesswork out of streaming with this Roku Express media player. The simple HDMI cable plugs into the TV, giving your mom instant access to free, live, and premium shows. She can stream from all of her favorite TV apps, including Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+, and the included remote makes finding her favorite show a snap. Now whenever anyone asks, “Where’s the remote?” you’ll know that it’s probably with mom.

Buy it: Amazon

12. Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker; $28

This cold brew coffee maker is the perfect gift for any mom who’s always on the go … so long as she’s had her coffee first. To prep this cold brew, all your mom needs to do is pour some coarse ground coffee into the fine mesh filter basket, fill the one-quart pitcher with water, cap it with the leak-proof lid, and set it in the fridge to steep overnight. Most pre-ground beans are too fine for cold brew, so save your mom a trip to the store by including a coffee grinder ($21) and a bag of whole bean coffee ($28) in her Mother’s Day gift bag.

Buy it: Amazon

13. Storm Cloud Weather Predictor; $25

Meteorologist Robert Fitzroy, captain of the HMS Beagle (of which, Charles Darwin was famously a passenger), helped to popularize storm glass weather predictors in the 19th century. While this cloud-shaped weather predictor doesn’t exactly look like the gadgets Fitzroy used back in his day, it works in a similar way: It contains a special liquid inside that crystallizes into different patterns when it senses changes in barometric pressure. For moms who never quite believe what the meteorologists say on TV, this cute piece is sure to be a fun surprise.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

14. Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser; $25

Bring the spa to your mom with the oil diffuser that makes every day feel like a luxury vacation. This Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser is compatible with most essential oils, and it can run nonstop or on a timer to give your mom her perfect amount of Zen. The diffuser includes an LED band that displays different colors (she can set it to her favorite or cycle through them all), so it acts as a soft lamp for day or night. And it has an auto-shutoff safety feature that turns the diffuser off once the water levels get too low. For moms who love to treat themselves, this gadget will save them a trip (and some money) to the local wellness center.

Buy it: Amazon

15. National Park Candle; $26

For moms who love the great outdoors, a camping hammock isn’t the only good gift to consider ahead of the holiday. Created by Megan McLaughlin, these scented candles are inspired by National Parks and evoke the same unique aromas found within each park’s borders. From driftwood and sea salt to blends of wild fig, ginger, and citrus, these handmade candles conjure up the the fragrances that make each park memorable, and could help inspire mom’s next wilderness adventure.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

16. SereneLife Luxury Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray; $25

Moms need self-care, too, and with a bamboo bathtub tray, she’ll be able to make her bathtime ritual even more relaxing. Whether she likes to read a good book or enjoy her favorite show in the tub, this tray can help her keep everything within reach without either item falling into the water. This bamboo pick is fully adjustable and includes a stemmed wine glass holder and a tray for soaps and candles.

Buy it: Amazon

17. Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat with Carrier Sling; $19

If your mom likes to relax by doing yoga, this mat from Gaiam is a great item to incorporate into her practice. At a quarter of an inch thick, this yoga mat offers plenty of cushioning (for yoga newbies, this can be especially important). It’s also 72 inches long, so even if your mom is 6 feet tall, she’ll be able to use this mat. In addition, this nonslip mat comes with a carrier sling so she can take it to a workout class, outdoors, or on a trip. 

Buy it: Amazon

18. BeeVines Silk Sleep Mask, Set of 2; $10

Sleep can be hard to come by as a parent. This set of two silk sleep masks contour to the bridge of your mom’s nose to block out light, helping facilitate a better night's rest. The masks are also designed to have extra space so your mom can blink without the mask pressing against her eyes. These sets are available in various color combinations and have adjustable elastic straps on the back, too.

Buy it: Amazon

19. Lovepop Mother’s Day Tulips Card with Mini Bouquet; $13

Skip the real flowers this year and gift your mom a mini bouquet that’ll last well past the springtime holiday. This Lovepop Mother’s Day card and paper bouquet set is a heartfelt and beautifully designed option. Both items are decorated with faux tulips, but instead of the flowers popping out like a traditional Lovepop card, this one lets you take it out and display it.

Buy it: Amazon

20. AVITO Personalized Tumbler; $25

Make your mom feel special with a personalized tumbler water bottle. Because her name is laser-engraved into the tumbler, it won’t peel or fade away. This 20-ounce stainless steel bottle comes with a lid and straw, is dishwasher-safe, and can fit into cup holders. One of the best features is that it can keep drinks hot for up to four hours or keep them cold for up to 15 hours. 

Buy it: Amazon

A version of this article originally ran in 2020 and has been updated in 2023.