Gift Ideas for the Mother Who Never Rests and Hates Spa Days

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mother day presents ideas

A lot of Mother’s Day gift guides include things like spa days, bath bombs, or massage gift cards.

I never felt that those were relevant to my mother.

Because my mother isn’t the type of mother who could sit down and enjoy a massage for 60 minutes.

My mama is constantly on the go. She’s cleaning up dishes while she’s entertaining. She’s cooking a five-course meal while simultaneously cleaning up her kitchen. My mama is juggling five million things at one time. And, though a lot of people tell me I should offer my mom a spa day to “escape from it all,” I don’t think – practically speaking – that she’d ever use it.

In fact, I’m pretty sure there’s a Massage Envy card that has been sitting in her closet – untouched and collecting dust – since 2008.

So this is a gift guide for those mothers that are very much like my own.

The mothers who try to do it all, never rest, and are constantly on the go.

1) A Fitbit

fitbit

She’s always moving, always grooving, and doesn’t let herself sit down for longer than 10 minutes at a time. So give her something so she feels rewarded for being such an active go-getter. My mom gets a real kick out of seeing her step goal crushed each night. She even makes sure to tell everyone she didn’t work out. She just gets 14,000 steps by being a mom-on-the-move.

2) Amazon Echo

Moms always have a million things to keep track of. The dentist appointments, dance recitals, doctors’ check-ups, tennis matches, grandparents’ eye appointments, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The list can go on and on. My mom’s always been a post-it note gal. She’s got them laying on one corner of the kitchen counter and it’s an organization system that works for her. But for other mamas who have a difficult time keeping track of all the appointments in their brain or have had it with the post-it notes cluttering their counters, the Amazon Echo is a really helpful gadget to have at home. It’s pretty much an extension of their brain. So they don’t have to hold all those important dates in their mind anymore! They simply have to tell “Alexa” to put something on the schedule and she’ll store the information and remind them of the appointment when the date is getting closer!

3) Tile

One of the things that happens with Mamas is that they start to become a little forgetful. (Only because they’re trying to remember everyone ELSE’s things). They can remember where their husband’s purple tie is, their daughter’s cell phone case is (that she lost two weeks ago), and she knows exactly where you left your dirty socks. But she can’t remember where she put her own cell phone or her car keys. Tile is a great Bluetooth tracker that makes every Mama’s life a little bit easier! 🙂

4) GPS Tracker

If your mom is anything like my mom, she likes to know your whereabouts. One time, during my first year of teaching, I ended up staying a bit later at school to finish setting up for the following day. I hadn’t picked up my phone because it was tucked away in a drawer somewhere. 21 missed calls and 32-text messages later, I learned my lesson. Always tell Mama where you’re going to be. (Or give her access to your whereabouts so she knows you’re safe and sound).

5) Amazon Prime Membership

I can’t remember my life before my Amazon Prime membership. (I probably had a lot more money back then). Guaranteed 2-day delivery. With just a few clicks, your mom’s got everything they need. Right at their front door.

6) Ugg Women’s Kitlyn Fashion Sneaker

These sneakers are so comfortable and versatile and keep Always-On-Her-Feet-Mom a happy camper all day long. They’re easy to slip on, water-resistant, and have a foam-insole.

7) Audible Membership and Credits

Audible is accessible from your computer, tablet, and your iPhone. It’s connected – through Bluetooth – to your Amazon Echo. So, for the mom that needs to constantly be moving and doesn’t actually know how to relax and curl up with a book on the couch, this is a great way to give them the gift of reading!

8) Portable Chargers

This is a helpful accessory to add to Mom’s purse. She’s so rarely at home and she’s constantly bouncing between one place and another. This will ensure that her phone will never run out of battery.

9) Handbag Illuminator

This little gadget makes it easier for Mom to find items in her purse. The proximity sensors utilize energy fields from your hand to activate the light without any need for buttons. Once activated, the light will stay on for 10 seconds before turning off.

10) Universal Car Charger

The portable charger – hidden away in Mom’s purse – can be for Mom. This multi-USB car charger is likely a necessity to charge the entire family’s devices. (If you’re anything like me, you’re that gem-of-a-person who unplugs your Mom’s phone to plug in your own. This way, nobody needs unplugging).

Question of the Day:

  • Does your Mama like spa days?
  • What would you add to this list? 

 

 

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37 Comments

  1. Haha I love the tile key tracker! My mom once forgot their keys in the fridge and we all looked for them for hours and hours! 🙂 This would have been helpful! And tbh, I’d need one, too, I guess I have inherited the habit of loosing stuff 😉 Kisses from Switzerland!

  2. I’m loving this list of ideas!! I would love to have a fitbit, maybe if i hint to my kinds they can put their money together and get me one! 🙂

  3. This is such a great list! I think that tile would be an awesome gift for either one of my parents. I also really want to try those Ugg sneakers. LOL My mom does like a spa day – mainly manicures or pedicures, but she likes a lot of other things too and I try and be original when I can so I always appreciate ideas like these.

    -Lauren

  4. This is a GREAT list of ideas. While my mom does like the occasional spa day, I’ve been trying to find something a little different for her for Mother’s Day. I think a fitbit or Audible subscription would be perfect!

  5. These are awesome ideas! I had a super cheap Audible subscription for about 3 months and loved it. That’s a perfect gift for on the go moms!

  6. This is a great list, such unique ideas! I love the idea of the handbag illuminator! I usually use the flashlight on my smartphone, but my mom doesn’t have a smartphone, so something like that would be a good idea for her!

  7. These are great ideas. My husband and I joke that we should trade Mother’s and Father’s Day. He’s the one who likes to go to the spa for a massage etc. and I’m the one who’s more likely to prefer a tool or gadget.

  8. Haha I know a few moms like your mom. They would probably be thinking of their to-do lists during the massage! Mine would love spa days and manicures though. So I think I have it easy! 🙂

  9. My mom would love a spa day – as would I! I actually have a massage gift certificate I need to use. I just don’t have the time right now!

  10. Great idea for a post! My mom isn’t much for spas or massages either. You’ve rounded up so many fantastic gift options for any busy woman on the go.

  11. Oh my gosh! I have never seen a better list of gifts for Mom! Wow! I would be thrilled to get just about any of these gifts. These are thoughtful gifts that will help any mother out!

  12. Some great ideas! I love the portable charger, and I hadn’t heard of the amazon echo before… that sounds really handy. I’m lucky my mum usually just emails me a link to whatever she wants a few weeks before mothers day… lol done and dusted!

  13. You talk my language girl! I want the ECHO =) have been wanting one since December and my birthday is this week you need to call my husband and give him some tips =)

  14. Thank you my dear Divpiv for the Mommy mention in todays blog.
    Yay!!
    I feel special… xoxoxo

    One after the other you kept coming up with such great gift ideas.
    I bet you made life easy for so many of your followers.

    You smarty how do you come up with new ideas every day to write up on.
    Proud of You. Keep Blogging.
    Keep spreading your teacher love to the world.
    Hugs. xoxoxo

  15. I love your list of ideas for Mother’s day gifts. My sisters would love a thing or two from this list and I know my mom would love those sneakers. For me? Just a quiet getaway somewhere out in the country where I can watch sunsets and gaze at the stars. 🙂

  16. Oh, boy, GREAT list!!! I want the Fitbit, Amazon Echo, Universal Car Charger, Amazon Prime, Audible — with credits, YES! So many awesome gift ideas. I will be passing this along. 🙂

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

  17. I’m a mama while never stops going and I would love ALL of these! I actually asked for a portable phone charge for my present this year! Awesome list 🙂

  18. I’d add a Precious Mammories necklace, mainly because I’m a breastfeeding mom. I really think it’s an incredibly thoughtful gift for new mamas. Really love all these ideas!!

  19. Love these! I have most of these things already and highly recommend them, but I don’t have a multi USB charger – that would be awesome!

  20. My wife isn’t a spa day person. I learned the hard way. My wedding anniversary is usually right after Mother’s Day so I do things a little different. I use one as a preview for the other.

  21. You should add a maid to the list! Also depending on the mom, some of these could be seen as insults, so treat lightly. A Fitbit might make her think you are trying to tell her to lose weight or the tile is basically saying you are forgetful (which may be true, but not something a mother wants to be reminded of!). Out of all of these, as a mom who isn’t into spas or mani pedis, Amazon Prime would be my top choice!

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