Mother’s Day Gift Guide + A Few Spring Favorites
Disclaimer: this post is unsponsored (just sharing things I love); there are a few Amazon affiliate links scattered here and there. As always, feel free to shop around for the best deal!
I love sharing (and hearing about!) favorites. Love it, love it, love it. In honor of Mother’s Day right around the corner, I thought I’d share a few things I’m loving right now. Perfect for Mother’s Day shopping or maybe just because you’re hankering for something new, there’s lots of fun stuff below. Of course, if you are my kids, I’m telling you to put away the mason jar packed with long-saved allowance money sitting on bedroom dressers and asking you to please, with sugar on top, make me a coupon book or artwork-filled card instead of buying me anything (best gifts ever).
Also, for more inspiration, here are a few gift guides that have been super popular before on the blog.
Another Mother’s Day/Spring Gift Guide
Random Stuff Gift Guide
All Things Kitchen Gift Guide + My Favorite Things Page
Fun Favorites
1. I finally converted over to bamboo cutting boards and I’m kicking myself for not doing so sooner. These are amazing! Yes, I have to dig out the mineral oil now and then to keep them in tip-top shape but it’s hardly any work and so worth it. I love the 3-pack of differing sizes and I also have this extra-large one that comes in handy for big cutting jobs. I still use this durable yellow cutting board for meat (love the bright color for differentiating to keep the oozy meat juices away form my fresh pineapple).
2. I know I’m a broken record about Posh products, but I love them through and through. This new Key Lime Pie Big Fat Hand Creme (they have several awesome flavors, I also have the vanilla ice cream because I can’t get enough) is the stuff dreams are made of. I also love the BFF face wash (use it every night).
3. If you’re looking for a show-stopper of a gift (assuming the mother-figure in your life hasn’t converted over to the insane, trendy world of pressure cooking yet), I have to give a shout out to my main pal, the almighty InstantPot. You better warn your siblings if you break this out for your mom, though. She’s totally declaring you as the favorite, I call it now. I love my InstantPot more than words.
4. I had an old OXO garlic press for years until the handle broke off. Enter this new pretty number. The big bonus? You don’t have to peel the garlic before pressing! It’s amazing, heavy-duty and cleans up nice and easy.
5. I’m always on the hunt for new, unique, delicious chocolates, and hello, Christopher Elbow. Where have you been all my life? May I just say that the toffee is other-worldly? Also, their dark chocolate bars with pop rocks (I know!!) are crazy unique and fun, and their special assortment collections might just be the prettiest chocolates you (er, I mean, your mom) will ever eat.
6. I’m a journalling junkie and in addition to the journal I keep on the computer, I love, absolutely love, this one line a day journal. Two minutes at the end of the day to jot down a few notes, and it’s so fun to look back and see what we did on the same day for several years in a row, plus it reminds me what I need to write about in more detail later.
7. After using Chicago Metallic bread pans for years and years, I’m slowly replacing all of them with these USA bread pans. My cousin, Julianne, swears by them, and after using the two I have (that were given to me by a sweet friend), I’m sold. They are heavy duty, the bread never sticks, and they bake evenly (I swear, my bread tastes better, too).
8. I already told you I’m going to live in a floppy, wide-brimmed hat for the rest of forever. And this is my favorite hat so far. I wore it for a week straight in California, several days at Disneyland, and it’s already seen me through many long, hot soccer games. It’s adorable (even cuter on than in the picture), and I get compliments every time I wear it. I also have this hat in blue/white; adorable. Thank you to those of you who introduced me to this company in the comments of my face post several weeks ago. I am also the new owner of swim leggings (who am I and how did I get here) and a long sleeved swim shirt. If I didn’t have ethical views about posting a picture of myself in a swim suit, long sleeves or not, I’d totally show you how cute it is. Don’t judge if you show up at my door and I’m just hanging out all day, every day in my head-to-toe swimmer.
9. Seriously, this little satchel is a lifesaver. I bought it for our trip to Disneyland + some upcoming summer travel, and it’s as perfect as all the 5-star reviews say. Small and lightweight, it fits waaaaay more than you think and it’s cute, to boot. Not just for travel, I’m using this every day!
10. Such a great gift, this picnic blanket has a waterproof side and it folds up to be totally portable. I love outdoor blankets – they make the best gifts (we got one for our wedding lots of years ago and it was one of our favorite gifts; we’ve long since worn it out but this new blanket is just as good, if not better!).
11. I know there are lots of hand-stamped jewelry shops around, but this birthstone charm necklace from I Declare is on my own wish list for Mother’s Day (if Brian comes through, I’m taking off the “mom” circle and just leaving the kiddos’ birthstones and wearing it on a long chain). Don’t you love how I’ve already planned out how I’ll wear a gift I don’t even have yet?
12. Simple, inexpensive, but SO functional, this multiple event timer is one of those things I have no idea how I lived without. My friend RuthAnn showed me hers when she was at my house teaching me how to can chicken and I couldn’t believe I didn’t have one. Multi-timer for the WIN!!
And that’s it, for now. Of course I have about a billion other things to share…but I also have four children clambering on my lap reminding me that maybe for Mother’s Day, all I want is a nap. Peace out.
Disclaimer: this post is unsponsored (just sharing things I love); there are a few Amazon affiliate links scattered here and there. As always, feel free to shop around for the best deal!
Just found this post and had to tell you that I got the ebags purse for Christmas. It’s my favorite! I have it in the chocolate color and am plotting another for Mother’s Day in different color. Wonderful quality with so much storage!
I know I’m a bit late, but looked thru this post in Christmas anticipation:) and ordered the satchel you mentioned *blush* for myself…. I LOVE IT! Your commentary is so fun, your recommendations truly authentic, and your recipes delightful. May I just say, THANK YOU, MEL. My favorite food blog out there 🙂
Thank you, Brittany!
I love it when you share your favorites! Thank you! I’ve tried many – the games have been a huge hit with my kids and the ones we’ve gifted them to! But I’m totally floored to see the handbag I’ve been carrying for years here! In the color I have, no less! Yay! I can say that I love it, too, and it has stood up well to the test of time. I use mine all the time, too! I’m tooling around looking for gift ideas for my niece’s birthday, but instead I’ve found I’m sorely tempted by the Instapot for myself! 🙂
Hey Mel! I have a pretty small head…is it adjustable?
the hat:)
No, it’s not adjustable. But I can measure the circumference of the inside for you if that would help. Just let me know.
I had melanoma last year and just came across the swim capris and long sleeve rash guards. I joked about getting them and got lots of eye rolls from my teenagers. Have you used them yet? What are they like for swimming? So far I’ve just avoided the sun but I live in AZ so that’s not going to last….
LOVE your recipes, gift ideas, etc!
I haven’t used them yet but honestly, they are so comfy and cute that I’m tempted to just wear them to target. I read lots of reviews on them and these ones from Coolibar seem to be pretty great for swimming – the leggings are slightly compression which is good for the ol’ mom figure but also to prevent sagging clothing after getting in and out of the water.
I bought this hat for myself and my Mother in law for Mother’s Day last year. We both love to garden and be outside but I’m a shade lover and can’t stand the sun. I wear it to mow the grass and I even wear it during light rain to go check on the chickens and it keeps me pretty dry. The hats you posted are much more fashionable but this one does the trick around the house!
Sloggers 442DB01 Women’s Wide Brim Braided Sun Hat with Wind Lanyard – Dark Brown – Rated UPF 50+ Maximum Sun Protection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0031YQCTK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_Uqmixb8BWGEQ0
Mel, your site is my go to place when I need a recipe that I know won’t disappoint! Guests for dinner…a potluck to contribute to…a great dessert for a special occasion…fresh bread that has become a staple in our home…crazy delicious brownies to satisfy my sweet tooth…you name it, I come here to find the perfect recipe, and you always come through! Well, almost always…every year around Mothers Day and Teacher Appreciation week, I go on the quest to find a fantastic quiche recipe. I hunt around the Internet, and always come back to see if you’ve finally posted a perfect quiche recipe! And every year, I can’t find a single quiche recipe on your site! What is it that you have against quiche?? Throw me a bone and post a great quiche recipe, will ya?!
Ah, quiche! It’s the elusive quest for me. Part of it is that my family doesn’t love it so I don’t make the effort to experiment with it. Have you tried the basic quiche from America’s Test Kitchen? It’s my go-to when I’m making it for an event.
Can you tell me more about your instant pot? I have a large family, a small rice cooker and and slow cooker that I use all the time. What all do you do in your instant pot? Pleas expound. Thanks
Hi Ronna, I have more details about the InstantPot here, but in short, my InstantPot has basically replaced my slow cooker and rice cooker. I can cook white rice in it with 3 minutes cooking time (a little longer to get it to temperature and have the pressure release, so maybe 10 minutes total) and 22 minutes for brown rice. I can also switch the function to a slow cooker instead of a pressure cooker. I’m kind of hesitant to believe claims that something is really a do-it-all appliance, but the InstantPot lives up to it’s claim so far for me.
LOVE all these recommendations!!!! I have also loved your game posts in the past:) So fun and helpful:)
The multiple event timer is on its way to my house. Why why why haven’t I had one of those forever???
Where did you get swim leggings and your long sleeve swim shirt? I need to find some for myself and my kids! Thanks!
Coolibar.com They are a little pricey but you can sign up for 20% off your first order and the quality is amazing.
The Perfectly Posh hand creme is my favorite! I can’t wait to check out the rest of the items on this list!!
Yes on the unique chocolates!! Have you ever had Norman Love? They are SO exquisite, and equally delicious!
https://www.normanloveconfections.com/chocolate/signature-chocolates#chocolate-dark
I have been looking for the perfect bag for an upcoming Disney trip. Will a 16-oz water bottle fit either in the bag or in a pocket on the outside? Thanks.
Not on the outside but definitely on the inside.
Mel … I can’t get the link to work for the bag and it’s just what I’ve been looking for. Can you give more details so I can find it??
Thanks!
Hey Laurie – it’s the eBags Piazza Day Bag in eggplant. Does that help? Here’s a direct link: http://www.amazon.com/eBags-Piazza-Day-Bag-Black/dp/B0013KIJWC/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1461558741&sr=1-1&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=bags+piazza+day+bag
Yes to the bread pans! Also, I just ordered my second USAPan cookie sheet on Amazon this week. Those things are awesome and cookies bake about 1-2 minutes faster. I never ever even use baking spray because they don’t need it.
PS, I love this gift list!
My husband got me that timer at Christmas! I didn’t know I needed it, but I have loved it!
I LOVE YOUR GIFT IDEAS!! Thanks for sharing these. Also I made orange glaze poppyseed bread(cake) yesterday and it was the most amazing cake I’ve ever had. Everyone loved it. Thank you for what you’re doing, Mel!
Just ordered a hat from the Coolibar per your experience, I’m book an appointment with my dermatologist also. Thanks for all your sage advice. It’s like you’re a Mom to us, too!
I just have to tell you that your post about your face motivated me to finally make my derm appointment that I had been putting off because life was too busy…..long story short, I ended up with 10 stitches on my cheek from a spot about the same size as yours. I’ll be checking out those hats (:
Thanks for your blog…you make a difference!!
I gave my daughter a version of that one line a day diary when she became a mother a few years ago. She still uses it almost every day to record the small things that happen in a day. She says it’s one of the best gifts she received as a new mom.
Fabulous timing! I was just perusing your gift lists last night, as my mother’s birthday is next week + Mother’s Day in a few weeks. And the garlic press is ordered! Thanks Mel!
Do you have a favorite large beverage dispenser? You know, for large gatherings? I thought I had seen one on one of your other favorite things /gifts posts, but I can’t find it now so maybe I’m just crazy!
I do have one but I don’t think I’ve posted about it because my mom gave it to me several years ago and I have no idea where she got it (there’s no brand name on the dispenser). The sad thing is I love it but I don’t know how to recommend it! Its glass and has a silver dispenser at the bottom and it holds several gallons. I’ll try to do some more sleuthing to see if I can get more details on it or find one similar online.
That would be great, thanks!!
Love the hat! I need a new one for summer, and this one looks adorable. I’m also loving the idea of a one-line-a-day journal! I’m not one for journaling everyday, so 1-2 lines about what we did each day would be so fun to have to look back on.
Happy Mother’s Day to me!! I just bought the super cute wide-brimmed hat. My 10 year old fills our spring/summer calendar with soccer and baseball games and this will be perfect. FYI for those reading this-if you go to the website and sign up for emails, they will send you a code for 20% off and free shipping on your first order.
Woohoo!
How did the hat survive being packed in a suitcase? Looking for a cute, packable sun hat. I love the detail on this one, but it doesn’t say packable….
Good question, Nikki! It got a little bent (I tried not to crush it – just put it gently in the suitcase) but with a little unbending, it’s been fine, I think, although I’ll avoid completely smashing it. I also have Coolibars packable hat that can be rolled and smashed. It’s fantastic – but a bit more utilitarian and not quite as cute as the one I mentioned in this post.
Can I butt in? I brought three (three!) huge, yet stiff, sun hats like this to Mexico, and learned to masterfully pack around them. Stuff the head part to firmness with socks, t-shirts etc. then lay it in the bottom of the suitcase, then pack other stuff on top of and around the brim. Saves the shape, I swear it!
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
Pressing unpeeled garlic???!! Get. Out. I am running into my kitchen now to see if that’s possible with my current press — I never even considered such a thing. If not, I know what’s going in my Amazon shopping cart today!