The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide—What She Really Wants
If you still have kids in school, May can easily be the busiest month of the year. Tests, awards, class parties, summer sports, and more are gearing up, and making plans for summer activities and vacations can be all-consuming. Regardless, here’s your May reminder: remember Mother’s Day. It may appear to be a Hallmark holiday, and your wife might tell you it’s no big deal. But like other special occasions, it’s always nice to be remembered. So, let us help you—here are 10 Mother’s Day gift ideas for your wife.
1. Write Her a Love Letter
This Mother’s Day gift will pack more punch than any other idea on our list. Skip the card from the store, and sit down to write your wife an intentional letter reminding her amid the hustle and bustle of life you love and cherish her and her role in your family.
2. Detail the Minivan
If your family has transitioned out of the pickup, drop-off, music lesson, and soccer practice circuit, then this gift idea might not be for you. But if you all sleep at home and live in your van, it will be a home run. You’ll score extra points if you add a few thoughtful extras to the car as a surprise like air fresheners, a new water bottle in the cupholder, and a car trash can—a game changer.
3. Put in for a Day of PTO
This gift idea won’t be a surprise to your wife, but what follows will be! Compare calendars and ask your wife to choose a day off from her job—including her job as a stay-at-home mom if she is one. When her day off arrives, make sure the car is full of gas, give her a big hug and kiss, and tell her you won’t start to worry about her until midnight. Encourage her that the day is all hers no matter how short or long she wants to stay out.
You could leave a small bag in the front seat with gift cards to her favorite coffee shop or bookstore, a pretty notebook and pens, or a personalized list of movies or local events happening in your community you think she’d enjoy. If you really want to knock her socks off, enlist the help of friends or family to do the baseball and/or dance class car pools, or sync up calendars with a few of her girlfriends, so they can enjoy a day out together.
4. Make Breakfast (for Her) With the Kids
It’s an oldie but goodie and usually a little bit hilarious. If your kids have already flown the coop, pull this off all on your own. Note: please remember to clean up the kitchen when you’re done.
5. Purchase Something Fancy
Why not! If your wife loves all things sparkly, a shiny, new necklace or pair of earrings is always appreciated. Here’s the truth—you don’t have to buy real diamonds or the most expensive item in the jewelry store, but do pick something personal. For example, choose a bracelet that features your kids’ birthstones, earrings that match the color of her eyes, or a necklace with a charm to remind her of a favorite trip or special location.
6. Hide Secret Notes
Like the love letter, there’s something heartwarming about finding small handwritten notes from you in her Bible, on the dresser, or next to her favorite reading chair. Sweet nothings like, “Thank you for being such a great wife and mom,” or “I’m so grateful God made us a family,” are perfect.
7. Do That One Task
Everyone has one—the thing that has been on the to-do list for many, many months and never seems to get done. Take this opportunity to do it. Organize the garage, clean out the junk drawers, replace the old light bulbs, etc.
Give your wife the remote and a cup of coffee to enjoy while you knock out the job, and if your kids are still home, get them involved. They’ll be really proud of their work.
8. Plan the Most Romantic Date Night Ever (It’s Not What You Think)
This covert operation shared by author Kevin Leman will take some planning, but you still have time. Invite your wife to join you for a dinner date, but instead of taking her to her favorite restaurant, take her to a lovely hotel. Be aware that at this point she may roll her eyes, but give her a long, sweet kiss, hold her hand, and lead her to the hotel room. Then, you leave. Wait. What?
Yep. This night is all about her. When she gets to the room, have her find a pair of cozy pajamas on the bed, a fruit tray or charcuterie board on the table, a basket of fancy soaps and lotions, a candle in the bathroom, and a small bag packed with her essentials and clothes for tomorrow in the closet you placed there earlier in the day. After one more embrace, let her know you’ll meet her for breakfast in the morning and see yourself out. When word gets out, your buddies might not let you hear the end of it, but her friends won’t stop thinking you’re a hero.
9. Buy Her a New Pair of Tennis Shoes
Wrap up a new pair of walking shoes with a gift certificate for a nightly stroll. It might not seem romantic, but hear us out. Walking as a couple creates an intentional time to connect and decompress—together. Not only will you both get to enjoy the spring weather, but you’ll begin building a new habit that allows for uninterrupted quality time in your marriage.
10. Pick out a Cozy New Sweater
It may seem counterintuitive in the midst of spring, but for the woman in your life whose love language is physical touch, a soft, cozy sweater feels like a warm, caring hug every time she wears it. Look for a luxurious fabric like silk or Tencel™. Plush, comfy slippers or silky, satin pajamas are great choices, too.
No matter what gift you choose to give your wife this Mother’s Day, remember to present it with your own warm embrace and loving assurance that God chose her to be the best mom (and wife) in the world. And if you’re looking for more fun experiences to plan for your wife, look no further than our 20 spring date ideas. Happy Mother’s Day!
