20 Mother's Day gifts that mom will actually love

Consider choosing a Mother's Day gift that encourages your mom to engage in a little self-care. Score her a pair of super-cozy pajamas, or splurge on a plush Barefoot Dreams throw blanket. 

A plant makes any space look cheerier, but some require finicky care routines. If you want to give your mom a plant this year, stick to something low-maintenance, like a pothos ivy or snake plant that's easy to keep alive and looks great. 

Pretty much every Mom on earth needs to relax, and there's nothing more relaxing than a nice massage or pedicure. Plan a spa day with your mom to get in a little extra quality time — and pampering — or pre-pay for a treatment with her favorite massage therapist. 

Instead of boring flowers, give your mom an experience she won't forget this year. Consider tickets to the symphony, day passes to her favorite botanical garden, or front-row seats for her favorite band. 

If your mom's been dying to try a new hobby, give her the push to get started this Mother's Day! Scope out pottery studios or dance classes in your area, and buy Mom a gift certificate that she can use to sign up for classes that fit her schedule. 

Depending on your mom's interests, there are a ton of subscription services that can help remind her how special she is all year long. If she's into self-care, try a beauty subscription like Ipsy, or keep it classic with the Book of the Month Club, which has been sending great reads to subscribers since 1926. 

If you've got a favorite gadget that really makes your life easier, make your mom's life easier, too. Whether that's an eReader so she doesn't have to keep hauling books back from the library or a battery-powered pepper mill that will save her wrists while making dinner, everyone loves a fun new gadget that's actually useful. 

If your mom's a light sleeper, loves her audiobooks, or simply doesn't want to listen to your Dad mow the lawn every week, noise-canceling headphones are a great gift idea. They're available at a variety of price points, and there are plenty of well-reviewed options under $100. 

Splurging on linens is a luxury for many folks, which makes them a great gift. Invest in a set of quality linen sheets from Quince or Brooklinen for your mom, or stick with high-thread-count cotton percale if she prefers something crisper. 

There's just something so luxurious about lighting a richly scented candle, and your mom deserves a little luxury on Mother's Day. Brands like Voluspa and Diptyque offer quality candles at a wide range of price points, which means that you can find a great scent on any budget. 

Keeping up with the chores often falls disproportionately on moms, and Mother's Day is the perfect opportunity to give her a break from the dishes and vacuuming. Treat her to a gift certificate for a deep-cleaning from a local maid service that she can use whenever she's ready, and offer to take her out for the day while the baseboards and floors are scrubbed by a professional. 

Skip the Mother's Day specials at chain jewelry stores in favor of getting mom something really special. Check out antique malls and local jewelers for unique pieces that can fit a wide range of budgets. Vintage locket necklaces are a great choice, as are pieces of jewelry that include the birthstones of her kids and grandchildren. 

If your mom wants nothing more than quality time this year, plan a day trip! Whether it's a staycation or a short drive away, plan a day of activities that's all about Mom. Depending on her interests, you could head out for some shopping, hit the beach, spend the afternoon browsing a museum, or simply grabbing a manicure together and catching a matinee.

Rounding up the family to take photos can be a challenge, and Mom will love if you do all the work of rounding up the siblings and grandkids in advance. Surprise her with a family photo session with a great photographer, and she'll have a gift that she can enjoy all year long. 

If your mom hasn't gotten around to painting her peeling shutters or weeding her rosebushes, turn Mother's Day into a day of DIY projects. Bring over lunch, any tools that you'll need, and tell Mom to kick up her feet while you tackle those things that have been lingering on her to-do list for too long. 

It might not seem like much, but high-quality socks are a real improvement on the cheap ones you buy in bulk at the department store. Brands like Bombas and Sockwell offer cushy soles and tons of different styles, while a pair of good compression socks is an excellent gift for any mom who regularly travels. 

Family photos are true heirlooms, and having digital copies on hand is a great way to ensure that your memories will stick around forever. Dig through Mom's stash of photos and put your favorites into a digital photo frame that will show a rotating slideshow of her favorite memories. 

Show mom you remember all that hard work she put into your childhood with a throwback to one of your most cherished nostalgic memories. Perhaps it's a vintage souvenir from one of your favorite vacation destinations or a bottle of that wine you tried together on a trip to Tuscany. 

If your mom's a real giver — or, simply, the mom who already has everything she wants — consider making a donation to her favorite charity or cause. Whether that's saving the whales or working with her local food bank, it's a gift that will have an impact — and make mom smile. 

Sometimes, life gets in the way and you just need a last-minute Mother's Day gift. In that case, go with flowers, but at least get something interesting! Try a delivery from Bouqs or Farmgirl Flowers for something with a little more pizazz than your basic bouquet of grocery store roses.