Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Seniors

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

Mother’s Day will be here before you know it. But finding the perfect gift for mom can sometimes be hard, especially for the mother who seems to have just about everything. We’re here to take the pressure off you a bit with a curated gift guide for senior mothers with a variety of interests. From the gardening enthusiast to the bookworm, foodie, and grandma, here are 13 gift ideas to help you make this year’s holiday extra special.

1. A cozy blanket to curl up in

Everybody loves a comfortable throw, especially one that is soft and lightweight. Pick a version in a pretty color and it will also look beautiful draped across your mother’s couch or accent chair.

Cozy Pom Pom Sherpa Throw, $49, Pottery Barn

2. Indoor herb garden

Herbs are a healthy and delicious way to season your food. Growing them outdoors, however, can be a process. It typically involves remembering to water them, having to refill soil, and doing your best to fend off pests. This hydroponic kit helps you grow your favorite herbs and vegetables indoors and nourishes them with a built-in LED light.

Ivation 7-Pod Indoor Herb Garden Hydroponic Growing System Kit, $79.99, Target

3. An air fryer

Air frying is all the rage these days. From salmon to brussels sprouts and even desserts, people are using them for all sorts of recipes. It’s easy to use, as it doesn’t involve firing up the oven, and can even make food a bit healthier, allowing you to cook without oil. This Cuisinart model is stainless steel, so it’s not coated with toxic non-stick substances, and is easy to use and clean.

Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven, $129.95, Cuisinart.com

4. Family photo shoot

Get the whole family together and hire a professional photographer to take family portraits, which can create a lasting memory for your mom to cherish. Ask friends to refer a photographer they have worked with in the past, search for one in your area on Yelp, or purchase a package at a local studio.

5. A low maintenance houseplant

Indoor plants can provide a mental health boost and make our homes feel cozy. Finding the right sun exposure for a plant to grow in, however, can be a process. Ship your mother a low-light plant, which can typically grow in any lighting conditions. That way she can stick it in whatever corner of the home she prefers, without having to worry much about whether or not the sun’s rays will reach it.

Horti Houseplant Low-Light Bundle, $68, heyhorti.com

6. A stylish safety bracelet

Gift your mom a wearable personal safety device that’s disguised as beautiful bracelet and is powered by a personal security company, such as ADT. A quick press of the button on the bracelet’s charm will send an alert, which will then text your mom’s personal contacts and local authorities of her location. It’s a great gift to wear when she’s going for a walk or even just strolling around her home and can be added peace of mind in the event of an unsafe situation or fall.

Silver Beverly Bracelet , $149, invisawear.com

7. A frameable family tree

Sure you can do digital family trees, but wouldn’t it be more fun to have it displayed on the wall? This beautiful custom-framed tree is wood engraved and can include anywhere from 2 to 25 hearts, which each represent a family member. It’s a piece of art that’s sure to keep a constant smile on your mother’s face!

Custom Family Tree, $89, Etsy

8. A very personalized puzzle

Puzzles are relaxing and fun. A puzzle that’s personalized is even better! Turn grandkids’ artwork into a puzzle and it’s the perfect gift for any adoring grandma.

Print Art Kids Custom Puzzle, starting at $39.95, printartkids.com

9. Scratch off tickets with a philanthropic twist

Everyone loves scratching off a lottery ticket and trying to win money. What if the money you won went to charity? Give your mother the chance to give back with a scratch-off ticket that donates proceeds to charitable endeavors, like giving clean water, literacy tools, and nutritious meals to those in need. In that way, every ticket is a winner!

Basic Needs 4-Ticket Gift, $42, givelottolove.com

10. A remote for their e-reader

Is your mother an avid book reader who is glued to her Kindle, Nook, etc.? Make her reading experience a little easier with this remote-control page-turner. This clips on the side of your e-reader and comes with a handheld controller that gives readers a super convenient way to turn the page after they finish it. It also helps the digital reading experience to feel more book like as pages flip with a click press of a button rather than having to scroll to the “next page” icon.

Page Turn Remote Control, $19.99, amazon.com.

11. Some ultra supportive slippers

Your mother has slippers, but does she have slippers made by a podiatrist with the health of your foot in mind? This mule slipper is easy to slide on, comes in fun patterns like leopard print, and will feel oh so pleasant on your mother’s feet.

Gemma II Mule Slipper, $85, vionicshoes.com.

12. Solar powered flowers

Flowers are a great way to brighten someone’s day. But they often don’t last longer than a week, which makes them a short-lived gift. These solar-powered flowers look beautiful in a back or front yard. Stick them in the ground, let the sun charge them by day, and your mother will enjoy them by night!

KOOPER Outdoor Solar Lights, Amazon, $32.99

13. A lightweight purse

Ever pick up your mother’s purse and think, “Gosh, what does she have in there? It’s so heavy!” Make her load a little lighter with a lightweight, water-resistant crossbody bag with endless built-in organizational compartments. The front wallet is also outfitted with RFID protection to help keep her credit cards safe from theft while traveling. And there are so many colors and patterns to choose from.

Calais Crossbody Bag, $95, baggallini.com