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I'm a gifting expert — these are hands-down the best Mother's Day gifts I've ever given my mom

Amanda Garrity

We're getting down to the wire! Feel free to "borrow" these ideas if you want to make your mom's day. (Getty)(Getty)

I am my mother's daughter in more ways than one. We love to shop (and one of us makes a living doing it). We fill our homes with fresh flowers (as evidenced here). We can't pass up a sweet treat. We would rather spend on experiences than stuff (although sometimes we do the latter). Perhaps, the way I am most like her is that I also get a thrill out of finding and giving the perfect gift — and this time of year, my mom's the lucky recipient.

The key to giving the best Mother's Day gift (and, well, life)? Listen to your mom. If she spells out exactly what she wants, then do as she says and don't take any liberties. But if she left you high and dry this Mother's Day, then let her hobbies and passions guide you, or think about little things that would simplify her day to day. Maybe you splash out on a self-heating mug, so she doesn't need to microwave her coffee a zillion times a day. Or maybe it's a gardening-related gift that she can put to work this summer.

As for me, I tend to give my mom a Mother's Day gift that elevates her every day. Some years, I go for something purely practical, whether it's a buzzy kitchen tool or top-rated travel gear. Other times, I spring for a small luxury that my mom wouldn't necessarily buy for herself, including a pair of ultra-soft PJs. I've rounded up some of my best work from past years down below.

Quick Overview

In the spirit of giving, let me go ahead and point you to the rest of our Mother's Day gift guides. We've got a guide dedicated to under-$50 finds, a roundup of memorable gift experiences and more mom-approved picks.

Calpak Luka Duffel

$128

Overnight and weekend trips are about to get a whole lot easier with Calpak's Luka Duffel. This thoughtfully designed bag has compartments for your laptop, dirty shoes and water bottle with plenty of room to spare. It comes in over 10 shades, but this limited-edition celery color feels so fresh. It has a hidden, compartment in the bottom that is perfect for dirty shoes, wet beach clothes... or a few days' worth of clothes that got dirty during your travels.

Yahoo Shopping Editor Sarah Weldon says the Luka Duffel "completely changed" how she travels and she's even nicknamed the style her "own personal Mary Poppins bag — but a lot chicer."

$128 at Calpak

BloomsyBox Deluxe Flower Subscription

$70

Keep the love — er, flowers — going well after Mother's Day with a BloomsyBox subscription. You pick the size of the arrangement (Deluxe is the most popular) and first shipment date, then they'll handle the rest. Take it month by month (note that the discount will apply only to the first month), or save more by paying for three, six or 12 months upfront. Right now, BloomsyBox is offering free rush shipping for subscriptions to ensure the first bouquet will arrive just in time.

$70 at BloomsyBox

Lake Pima Crew Wide Leg Pajama Set

$128

My mom and I love nothing major than cozying up in a nice PJ set. I've tried all the biggest, buzziest brands as part of my job, and Lake makes some of the softest, snuggliest pajamas out there. Last year, I treated my mom to this striped style and they're now the most coveted pair in her collection. In fact, the last time I was home, she made sure to save her favorite jammies for our movie night ... which was fitting since I only packed my Lake sets.

So, what makes these particular PJs so special? Well, Lake's most popular pairs are made with 100% Pima cotton, which is sometimes called the "cashmere of cotton" because it's smooth, silky and downright luxurious. The styles skew more classic, which is right up my mom's alley. I went with blue-and-white stripe, but it comes in ditsy florals, toile and more striped variations. I was torn between which pair to get, but ultimately this wide-leg style won out. She's on the shorter side (like mother, like daughter), so the cropped pant is perfect for her petite frame. Plus, Lake warns that Pima cotton often shrinks in length during its first wash, which was an added bonus in my mom's case!

I know, I know, these pajamas are on the pricey side, but take it from one stylish shopper who called them "the most comfortable PJs I've ever worn." My mom echoed that very sentiment, which is why they're worth every penny in my book.

$128 at LAKE

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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