What not to get mom for Mother’s Day (and what to buy instead)

Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach a record $38 billion this year, with consumers spending an average of $284 per person, according to the National Retail Federation.Need ideas on what to get mom? We asked Elspeth Velten, editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping, what to avoid — and what to prioritize — when choosing a gift.Velten says one of the biggest mistakes is giving gifts that feel like work.”I can confirm that mom does not want kitchen gear for Mother’s Day,” she said. “I once watched my father gift my mom a new set of dinnerware, and based on her reaction, we’re going to want to avoid the kitchen altogether.”She also cautioned against household items like robot vacuums.”You may think that that fancy robot vacuum is going to take work off of mom’s plate, but ultimately, vacuums are a gift for the household, not for mom,” Velten said.Instead, she recommends focusing on self-care and experiences.”Go a step further from the gift certificate and actually book that appointment at the spa or at her facialist, maybe get her a round of yoga classes or buy her some comfy loungewear,” she said. “These are not gifts that encourage mom to work out — these are gifts that help appreciate the mental load that mom shoulders every day.”Jewelry remains a popular gift, accounting for $7.5 billion in annual Mother’s Day spending.”With all of the great lab-grown gemstones on the market these days, high-quality jewelry has never been more accessible,” Velten said.She also advises against gifts that are really for the kids.”We often see, specifically for new moms with infants, a gift like a really beautiful outfit for the baby,” Velten said. “Those are ultimately gifts for the child and not for mom.”For families with young children, Velten suggests involving kids in the gift-giving process with meaningful gestures like handwritten cards.”These carry real meaning and never go out of style,” she said.Small, homemade artwork can also be a great gift — just keep it manageable so it doesn’t create extra work or leave mom figuring out where to display something oversized.Stay Connected With the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com.