Oops and Daisies

Connection & inspiration for people who want to create

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
  • Family & Lifestyle
    • Life With Kids
    • Parenting
    • More than Mama
    • Personal Development
    • Self Care
    • Travel
  • Work From Home
    • WAHM Life
    • Interviews with Creative Moms
    • Inspiration
  • Writing, Books, & Resources
    • Book Reviews
    • My Stories and Books
    • Path to Publication
    • Quotes
  • Shop
  • Work With Me

20 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Under $20

April 29, 2016 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

I don’t know about you, but I often find it hard to ask for things that I “want.” So when people like my hubby and mom ask what I’d like for my birthday, or for Mother’s Day, I often gravitate toward the things I need. (Honestly, let’s be real, sometimes I just *need* a nap or a clean house). While a clean home is very much welcome as a gift, I think it’s also important to pamper and shower our mamas with gifts come Mother’s Day. But you don’t have to break the bank to do so either.

So, here’s a list of things that I think any mother would love for Mother’s Day — in addition to the free stuff you can give her too, like homemade coupon books and a nap.

Hint: most of these gifts are about pampering, because honestly, the one thing I know I want (and I’m guessing other mothers do too)? A relaxing day — with a nice balance of alone time as well as time with my little family. (This post contains affiliate links.)

1. Manicure
There’s something supremely relaxing about someone doing your nails (and it’s not just because they often include a hand massage). Plus, pretty nail colors!

2. Necklace
Jewelry is always a welcome gift, but there are ways of making it more personalized. Perhaps give a birthstone necklace, or a necklace made from breast milk (seriously!). Or a necklace etched with the children’s names.

Bubble bath3. Photo book
Create a keepsake using photos from the past year or so with sites like Shutterfly. As I’ve heard (and I agree with), the days can be long, but the years short. And it can be fun to be nostalgic.

4. Movie ticket
Sometimes mama just wants some ‘me’ time and a solo movie ticket is a great way to do just that.

5. Lunch gift card
To go with that movie ticket, perhaps give her a lunch card to her favorite restaurant. After all, the gift of enjoying lunch without being in a rush is priceless.

6. Water bottle with flavor infuser
Keep mama hydrated, no matter how busy she is, with a water bottle. What makes this bottle different is that you can infuse the water with fruit, making it even easier to drink plenty of water.

7. Fun Coffee Mug
Chances are mom’s other fuel is in the form of coffee. Get a fun mug that will also bring a smile to her face. Etsy has lots of options, like a mug that says “mom, you’re a freakin rockstar.”

8. Makeup
Eye shadow. Lipstick. Lip liner. When it comes to makeup, there’s lots of fun and easy goodies to pick out that don’t require color matching!

9. Leggings
If she’s anything like me, she lives in leggings most days. My current favs include Halara leggings — they have pockets!

10. Journal
There are lots of things for mom to remember, and there is a lot she thinks about — her dreams, for her, for her kids, for her family. Give her a place to write it all down with a beautiful journal.

11. Snack box
Moms tend to share food with the little ones. Get her a snack box that’s all hers with something like this from Harry and David.

12. Pasta meal (aka, a night off from cooking)
On Mother’s Day, give her a gift she really wants – a night off cooking. Make some pasta for her and the kiddos, and plan to enjoy it all together.

13. Chocolate
Don’t forget dessert… but maybe give her this gift after the kids go to bed.

14. Bubble Bath
One of the most relaxing things for a mom to do is to take some time to herself. A bubble bath — such as with lavender chamomile — is a lovely way to do just that.

15. Bath Salts
Bubbles not your mama’s cup of tea? Bath salts are also wonderfully relaxing as they offer a variety of soothing smells.

16. Candles
Help your mom set a relaxing mood with a candle or two in some of her favorite scents. Propensity Candles make a great gift; not only are they hand poured but they benefit women who recently were resettled from refugee camps.

17. Bottle of Wine
This one needs no explanation.

18. Stemless glasses
If mom already has plenty of wine, get her some new, cute, wine glasses to go with it like these “Mommy’s sippy cup” glasses.

19. Flowers
Spring has sprung, and a beautiful colorful bouquet is a simple but welcome gesture. That goes well with the wine… or the chocolate. Take your pick!

20. “Year of Yes,” by Shonda Rhimes
Whether she’s a fan of TGIT shows from Shonda Rhimes, this is a book a lot of moms can love. Rhimes’s book, “Year of Yes,” is all about tossing fear out the window, dancing it out, and finding yourself — something a lot of moms can relate to. I know I can.

I hope this list helped you pick out a gift, or two, for the special mama in your life. Have your own ideas to add? Share them in the comments below!

Enjoying Oops & Daisies? Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a post! Subscribe here.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • More
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Related

«
»

Filed Under: Family & Lifestyle, Parenting Tagged With: bubble bath, busy moms, gift guide, gifts, makeup, mom hobbies, mother's day

Recent Posts

  • Oops, Daisies, and Dreams: Interview with Author J.P. Lee February 19, 2026
  • Stop the Mean Girl Voice in Our Heads: How to Do Affirmations February 11, 2026
  • Oops, Daisies, and Dreams: Kathy Osgood of Little Bear Photography February 4, 2026
  • My 10 Favorite Books From the 59 I Read in 2025 January 1, 2026
  • Oops, Daisies, and Dreams: Interview with Author J.M. Guilfoyle December 3, 2025

Categories

Newsletter

authorlizsanfilippohall

Multi-genre author. 📚BECOMING CHARLOTTE CORDAY, a YA historical fantasy coming spring 2027 from Apprentice House Press

Ohhh my goodness, my editor totally made my MONTH Ohhh my goodness, my editor totally made my MONTH when she shared why she wants to publish my Young Adult Historical Fantasy about Charlotte Corday. Pinch me! “I was immediately pulled into the magic and fantasy elements of the story. I really loved how you connected real history to the plot without it ever feeling like I was reading something overly educational or dense. I’m honestly not much of a history person, but your writing made me curious enough to want to look into some of the historical elements more after I finished reading. I also grew up loving fantasy and magic-focused stories like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson & the Olympians, so that part really resonated with me.”#AuthorsOfInstagram #HistoricalFantasy #WritingCommunity #TimeTravel @apprenticehousepress
And I’ll have you know, I still blast my punk ro And I’ll have you know, I still blast my punk rock in the school pickup line. #Millennial #AuthorsOfInstagram #BeYourWeirdSelf #AmEditing
I spy something new I’ve created 🧐😉 If yo I spy something new I’ve created 🧐😉If you want to see it firsthand, hop on by the Wheaton Library Local Author Fest on 4/25 between 1 and 4pm!Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until next week for the full reveal 😊#WritingLife #PictureBook #AuthorsOfInstagram
I made a big change… because this account is abo I made a big change… because this account is about a whole lot more than my blog. It’s a place to celebrate my writing journey, share more about my creative life, and more. Stay tuned… there’s so much more to come! #WritingLife #MomLife #AuthorsOfInstagram
Someone told me they thought journaling was a wast Someone told me they thought journaling was a waste of time… that they weren’t into “navel gazing.” That it didn’t seem “productive.”But, take it from me, someone who has kept a journal for more than 3 decades. Journaling doesn’t necessarily mean keeping a diary… and I’m sorry, but who decided EVERYTHING needs to be productive all the time?!There can be a lot of beauty in slowing down.I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a slower pace of life. A kinder life. A more gentle life.Journaling is a safe space, one that we can reflect, think, and grow.For me, it’s also become a place not for story endings, but beginnings.What story do you dream of telling? Do you use a journal to start working on your story? Or what does your creative process look like?#Journaling #AmWriting #MomLife #TheStoriesWeTellOurselves
What do you do when you have “too many” ideas? What do you do when you have “too many” ideas? You start where you are, and give yourself permission to begin.#FridayPoetry
When I learned that “Shift” was being marketed When I learned that “Shift” was being marketed to fans of Hunger Games, I knew I had to read it. While the book’s structure was different than what I’m used to from YA books (with some exposition up front), the concept and storytelling had me hooked:Shapeshifters stereotyped as criminalsPolitical intrigue and shady government dealingsThe main character Sybil trying to figure out who she is in a world that just didn’t seem to accept her “kind”Challenging family dynamics… especially with her brother ArtNot knowing who to trust or believeBonus: Lee’s world-building was super impressive, blending real-world elements like the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and DC with a land divided over magic and what should be done about the Shifters.I look forward to reading the sequel!Thanks for sharing an advanced copy with me @jpleeauthor! #BookReview #YAReads #AdvanceReview #FantasyBook
Do you ever create simply for the sake of creating Do you ever create simply for the sake of creating? To enjoy the process?In my attempts to spend less time on social media , I’ve been doodling and coloring with no specific plans… just to unwind and relax without a screen. It feels like a mediation of sorts.#Creativity #MomLife #ColoringForAdults
Save the date! April 25th I’ll be at a local aut Save the date! April 25th I’ll be at a local authors fest in Wheaton signing my Etta Betta and the Beast books! There might also be a sneak peek of something new 🧐💖#KidLit #AuthorEvent #WritingLife
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Instagram

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2026 · Delightful theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 · Delightful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...