Don't buy Mom a vac or a bidet or a fitness tracker; buy her a smart mug or a digital picture frame instead. (Rick Broida/Yahoo News)
If you're lucky enough to have a mom in your life, you probably know that Mother's Day is just around the corner: Sunday, May 11. That means you're probably doing some serious Mother's Day gift shopping, right? Your heart's in the right place; you want to show her your love and appreciation. Just don't screw it up. That bath-and-body-lotion basket you think Mom wants? That scented candle? No. I speak from experience: I've had a mom for 56 years and a mother of my children for 25. So learn from my mistakes and avoid the following gifts — no matter how well-intentioned — at all costs. (Don't worry; I've also shared ideas for what to get her instead.)
Seriously? You're going to give Mom more household chores?! This is the classic Mother's Day blunder, the idea that she's just there to clean the house (and needs better tools to do it). No, no, no; why don't you get off the couch and grab a broom yourself? That would be a nice gift right there.
What to get instead: A robot vacuum
Now we're talking. It may not be the most glamorous gift, but anything that can take sweeping and mopping off the chore list is sure to be appreciated. Need help choosing one? Here's our list of the best robot vacuums of 2025. Alternately, here's a quick recommendation for a popular model that happens to be on sale right now:
Set it and forget it: The Matrix Plus will automatically clean the floors as often as Mom wants, plus it can empty 60 days' worth of debris into its floor dock. Mopping requires a little more manual intervention, but it's still way easier than hauling out a bucket.
Why choose a Tile over, say, an Apple AirTag? For one thing, AirTags don't work with Android phones, only iPhones. But Tiles also add an invaluable feature: two-way tracking. That means a Tile can also find a misplaced phone, not just the other way around.
Best. Gift. Ever. The Ember Mug automatically detects liquid and will start heating when it does. Mom can set her preferred temperature with the Ember app.
If Mom lives far away, the Aura is a good choice because you can configure it for her ahead of time, pre-loading pictures and even setting it up for her Wi-Fi network. Plus the screen is huge, and the app makes it easy for family members to send new snapshots.
If you're wondering whether $100 headphones can possibly rival ones costing three or four times as much, get ready for a surprise: They can. Soundcore's Space One offers sweet sound and robust ANC. And if Mom is into colors other than black, you can choose between a lovely sky blue and a "latte cream."
OK, we're kind of split on this one, because it depends on the circumstances. If Mom has never mentioned a fitness tracker (such as a Fitbit), then we don't want to be there when she unwraps it. The implication: She's imperfect, she needs to exercise more, etc. Now, if she has dropped hints about wanting one of these, it's totally fine. Here's our list of the best fitness trackers to buy in 2025. But, if this is coming out of the blue, go a different way.
What to get instead: An item tracker
Forget fitness; what needs tracking is lost stuff. Few things in life are as frustrating as a misplaced keychain, purse, wallet, phone or checked bag at the airport. Thankfully, Bluetooth-powered trackers can help Mom locate these and other items. To learn more, check our roundup of the best item trackers for finding lost stuff. But here's a great pick (as explained in the roundup) for moms with either an Android phone or an iPhone.
Bidets are great, no question. I started using one during the pandemic toilet-paper shortage and haven't looked back (or reached back, know what I mean?). But, come on, as a gift? For Mom? As with fitness trackers, unless serious hints have been dropped, you don't force a bidet on someone.
What to get instead: A self-heating coffee mug
If Mom likes coffee, she'll love this. A self-heating mug lets her nurse that java for hours, without having to run to the microwave every 15 minutes. I use mine daily, and so does my wife (aka "Mom"). It's a prized possession. Here's a look at the best heated mugs you can buy right now, and here's my favorite pick, period:
This may sound a little sexist, but I'm saying it anyway: Most moms don't care about the size of the TV. They don't care if it has a fancy OLED screen or built-in Dolby Atmos. In other words, they're fine with the TV they already have; they just want time to watch (or rewatch) their favorite shows, whether that's House of the Dragon, Bridgerton or anything in between. So let's face it: A new TV would be more of a gift for you, wouldn't it?
What to get instead: A digital photo frame
Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. Digital frames allow Mom to actually see all those precious memories that have been squirreled away in her phone, in friends' and family members' phones, on Facebook and so on. Most of them can play video clips too. Trust me: This is a home-run gift. For help choosing one, see our roundup of the best digital photo frames for 2025. Here's a particularly good pick for Mother's Day:
OK, this one isn't really insulting; it's more misguided. Do most moms love bathrobes? Sure. Do they love the one you picked out for them? No, because it won't be the size or color or thickness or length they like. But they'll feel obligated to wear it so they don't hurt your feelings. (Moms are compassionate that way.)
What to get instead: Noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones
If there's a mom on the planet who wouldn't welcome some peace and quiet, or at least a little less noise, I haven't met her. (Probably she doesn't exist.) The solution, of course, is a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones, which can not only dull the roar of kids, lawnmowers and other nerve rattlers but also play her favorite playlists, podcasts and meditations.
Not sure what to pick? Check our roundups of the best noise-cancelling wireless earbuds and best noise-cancelling wireless headphones. But for an all-around good option that's frequently on sale (and likely will be again ahead of Mother's Day), look no further than this:
Hey, I didn't come up with this idea! A couple years back I received a press release suggesting — no, outright stating — that "Mom deserves the gift of orgasm." (And apparently that idea is alive and well.) First of all: ew. If this is your actual mom we're talking about, then just no. But if the mom in question is your wife? It's ... still weird. There's nothing wrong with the gift of sex toys between consenting adults, but for Mother's Day? No.
What to get instead: An experience
I think that as a general rule, moms want less stuff and more experiences — and they especially love when you put some thought and effort into planning them. Is Mom creative? Maybe go for a painting or sculpture class. Does she want to be more physically active? Perhaps pickleball lessons are the ticket — maybe with an accessory or two, to boot. How about planning a day trip with some new, interesting stops along the way (bakeries, museums, art galleries, etc.)? Or a hike in a particularly scenic locale you researched, with some new hiking poles to unwrap before setting out. You get the idea. You don't have to spend a lot; you just need to show you care.
After all, this is Mom we're talking about!
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