2022 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Second this!!

What a great idea! It is such a tough transition – my advice is to be kind to yourself, don’t make any big life altering decisions for at least the first 6 months, lower your expectations in terms of housework/time with friends/cooking/work standards. You are in survival mode until it all settles down. Also if finances permit, outsource as much as you can (laundry, groceries delivered) – it is also worth considering how to rely on your community of neighbours/family and friends during this transition and beyond – shared dinners/leftovers, emergency babysitting, erands etc. It is hard but worth it and if you enjoy what you do even better – even if you are only doing it for financial reasons, you are setting a super example of persistence, hard work and independence to your child.

Oh great idea. Such a tricky time! Transitioning your kids into childcare is a very emotional thing!

Yes, I’m a few months in and it’s only now starting to get easier. My favorite piece of advice was from a mom co-worker in my first week back. She said “don’t overthink it.” This helped since I had thought about it a lot as I was planning to go back (which was important planning to do), but it was a helpful reminder to let go a bit and take the emotional and hormonal waves day by day after I was back.

One of my favorite pieces of advice in this realm is “Let it be easy”. Cooking a “real” dinner sounds too awful? Let it be easy. Sandwiches tonight! Friend offers to take your kid to school? Let it be easy! Yes thank you! Partner could easily run an errand for you at lunch when you’d be scrambling to do it? Let it be easy – ask them to take care of it.

And logistically, do as much as you can stomach the night before. Pack lunches, gift yourself a marginally clean house or kitchen to wake up to, pick out your clothes, pack up your bag and pick your coffee mug. The less I have to think about all that and scramble, the better the day goes for everyone. You’ve got this!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for checking out my site & these cards. I really appreciate all of your interest & support! :)

Just ordered!!!! Love this!!

gah! love these! what a sweet idea! i think my mom would love to get this. thank you for sharing!

Frameo! I got one for my grandparents and every time I talk to them they comment on how much they love it. I think it’s pretty easy to set up.

we got all the grandparents Aura frames for Christmas and, tbh, no other gift of my life has been so well-received. They have an easy App so you can upload photos from your phone to one or multiple frames. Magic.

We have given three Pix-Star frames out in the last few years to older relatives with great success; prior to that was a Skylight frame (don’t recommend) and a Kodak frame back in 2010 (which was great until Kodak folded and it was no longer supported – it still works, though! Just can’t get new images).

Make sure the frame is wi-fi enabled and your parents have wi-fi; that way you just have to email a photo to the frame’s own unique email address and it pops up automatically with zero work on your parents’ end! The Pix-Star frames have an app that allows me to see what photos I’ve already sent, so it’s easy to catch up if I’ve forgotten for a while.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many photos are vertical these days due to people using their phones; you might like to look for a frame that is more square-ish than rectangular to accommodate those images better.

We were given an Aura frame from one of our kids and we loved it so much that we’ve given one to my folks and my mother-in-law. They love the photos even more than we do! My mom has dementia but still recognizes oldies from decades ago. All of my sisters have the Aura app and the ability to add new pics. It is not difficult at all.
All our frames came from Costco so the price was moderate but the selection was limited.
Worth every penny!

Thanks everyone! Got the Aura frame and it shipped SO fast! My mom opened it because I didn’t have time to tell her it was coming for Mother’s Day so she could set it aside and she absolutely loves it. Appreciate the recommendations!!

I got one for my parents and they have not even taken it out of the box. :(

Maybe you could get your sisters a card and a bouquet of dried lavender from L’occotaine and then your Mom a card and a gift?

I do this, too. The last couple of years we have been giving to UNICEF for mother’s and Father’s Day. They have super cute cards and themed donations (e.g., one year of school supplies, nutrition kits for toddlers) that make the selection feel personalized. My parents always appreciate them.

This makes me cry. What a beautiful, thoughtful gesture.

So thoughtful. I still have the fridge magnet my girlfriend gave me when I was a single mom to my then 2 years old (now 25 years old!) daughter. It says “Best Mom Ever!”

From all single moms everywhere, THANK YOU for looking after your friend <3. My kids are old enough that I send them into a store I like with my debit card and a price limit 😂. But I would find the idea of someone spontaneously thinking of me, and then taking the time to surprise me, very moving. You’ve inspired me to do this for my single mom friend group!

Amy – loved your note. I am single mom to a one year old (recently divorced), and very new to navigate single parenthood. If it’s not too much to ask, would you be willing to introduce me / include me into this particular Single Mom group that you were talking about?

Beverly- your work is gorgeous!

It says website expired?

What about a keepsake necklace or bracelet with your new baby’s name or initials discreetly inscribed? It sounds like these women are going to be aunties. All the better if you’ve been keeping the name a secret: they get to be the first to know. The GLDN link that CoJ included has lots of great options if you start clicking around. Congratulations on your growing baby!! Wishing you an easy delivery surrounded by women who love you!

@anne – gosh, maybe I’m a mean old grump, but while the intent behind your suggestion is gorgeous, I’d find it incredibly awkward to get jewelry with someone else’s kid’s name on it… would probably go straight into the junk!

What about writing your friends personalized notes about how much it means to you that they’ve been there for you. E. Frances has some lovely Mother’s Day cards. Ladyfingers Letterpress also has a really lovely collection: https://ladyfingersletterpress.com/

I’m with you there, Maya! :)

Maybe a beautiful notecard or thank you card, for how they inspire you with their example of mothering/caring, or to tell them about how their mothering goes beyond their children, and has touched you too? And maybe a gift card for a gift shop or bookstore or other nice place near you? Gift cards are always my favorite thing to get: like cash, you get something you actually love and can remember the person by, without the temptation to spend it on groceries! It’s fun to be “forced” to get exactly what I want!

I love products by Aesop. They are expensive and special and not something I’d splurge on myself naturally. I’ve received them as a gift and was so appreciative, and have since also gifted them.

How about a lil plant for everyone because they help(ed) you grow into motherhood?
Or a puzzle for everyone because they are the pieces who help(ed) you making peace with your motherhood.
(You can create puzzles yourself online)
(Or Lego flowers to put together)
Or hot water bottles because their presence and words feel like a warm hug.
Or a balloon ride for all of you because they lifted you up when you needed it.
Or manicure for everyone along with a picture of shaking hands because it takes a village.

Just a few suggestions for a way of thinking towards gifts. I’m sure you’ll find something heartfelt.

I saw that too! It’s so cute: https://smallpackages.co/products/mothers-day-box

Congratulations!

Congratulations on the new book AND baby Emily! I was surprised when I looked to see what else you’ve written because I just so happened to have read your book on Beatrix Potter recently and LOVED it. I’m a wildlife illustrator and distinctly remember coming across it and thinking, THIS is the book I want to read and someone actually wrote it! Your book on traditional crafts looks fantastic too :)

Amazing! Congrats on these two huge babies!

Thank you all, thank means so much!

Charlotte, I’m so happy to hear that!! Beatrix was another wonderful project, and I wanted it to be a little different than the other art books out there about her. Almost Lost Arts aligns the most with my writing work about art and craft (I also write for American Craft magazine). Sending you my very best wishes on your illustration work! Feel free to connect on IG, I’m @emfrei :)

Yes! This is so important.