The 30 Best Cheap Mother’s Day Gifts Under $50

A book of love

If you have trouble expressing your love out loud, the tiny What I Love About Mom book can help with simple prompts (such as “I love how good you are at …” and “I’m thankful I got your …”). Each page has one prompt, so this little book creates a lovely keepsake, but you don’t have to be William Shakespeare to fill it up.

Cool shades

Who among us doesn’t need a stellar pair of backup shades? The adorable Sungait Vintage Round Sunglasses are a great choice. They’re pretty much universally flattering: We tested 29 inexpensive pairs, and the Sungait glasses looked good on a variety of face shapes. Thanks to their keyhole nose bridge, these shades are comfortable to wear. Also, if they do break, they’re covered by a lifetime warranty.

A sheet mask facial

The jury’s still out on whether sheet masks actually accomplish anything more than hydrating skin. But, at the very least, they feel amazing. And masks are fun to do while you’re unwinding, so your mom is sure to appreciate them. Our favorite from testing is the Dr. Jart Cryo Rubber Mask with Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid, which stayed put and comfortably fit most of our panelists’ faces. Included with the mask is a lightly scented face cream (containing sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin), which you apply before affixing the rubber mask.

Literary letters

Handwritten correspondence always feels more special than an email or text, and the literary mama will especially enjoy writing on a postcard featuring a notable work of literature. The set of 100 Postcards from Austen to Zola features covers of books published by Penguin Classics, spanning 400 years of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. With each notes she pens, the mom in your life will love being reminded of her favorites—from a watercolor cover for Moby-Dick to a monochromatic print for The Importance of Being Earnest.

Tea for two

The Hario Chacha Kyusu Maru Tea Pot is a great little vessel for two mugs of tea. It holds 24 ounces of water, and the generously wide brewing basket has lots of space for leaves to move and unfurl. The only complaint: If Mom pours only one cup, the leaves sit in the water and continue to steep, and if she wants to take the basket out, it’s hard to find a good place to put it. Even so, this tea pot is a lovely, useful, and affordable addition to any tea lover’s collection.

A favorite spatula

Our beloved Victorinox Swiss Army Slotted Fish Turner is a kitchen workhorse that does the same great job for everything from turning a whole fish to flipping an egg to lifting delicate cookies off of a baking sheet. It’s also comfy to hold. As staff writer Katie Okamoto wrote in her ode to the humble spatula, “It does its job deftly and feels like an extension of my body, as a good utensil should.”

Peanut butter helper

If the best ideas are the ones that solve a common problem, Grandpa Witmer’s Natural Peanut Butter Mixer should be right up there with electricity and the wheel. The 3-inch lid screws on to all standard 16-ounce jars of peanut butter. And with a few turns of the handle on top, mom’s separated peanut butter will be thoroughly mixed and smooth. Gone are the days of spilled oil, messy hands, and dry, chalky bottoms. If your mom is a peanut butter fan, she might not know she needs this, but she does. This requires hand-washing, but it truly doesn’t get that gunky, so it’s an easy chore.

A light to read by

If your mom still reads paper books and shares a bed with someone else, she needs a personal reading light. Staff writer and avid reader Samantha Schoech swears by the Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light for nighttime reading (and spousal harmony) after lights out. It’s our pick for best reading light because it clips tightly to the cover or a chunk of pages, and it bends and rotates to brightly illuminate the page. And it has five brightness levels as well as three light temperatures (from amber to bright white).

The perfect hiking socks

If your mom is a hiker, or even a neighborhood walker, a great pair of hiking socks can help her increase her mileage. These lightweight hiking socks are made of nylon and wool, and they don’t bunch, slouch, or cause blisters. They come up about 5 inches from the ankle to the lower calf, so they protect against any rubbing from a high boot but work for a sneaker cut as well. Even if she doesn’t have an ambulatory hobby, these splurgy socks are great for padding around the house or sliding into clogs, too.

Satisfying shaver

A fabric shaver is not exactly a glam gift—though it does come in rather fetching color options. However, it is useful and surprisingly satisfying, especially for a mom who doesn’t have one already. Our favorite model has six blades instead of the usual three. And it holds a charge for three to six hours, depending on how aggressively one is de-pilling. It does a bang-up job of removing unwanted fuzz and pills from all types of material, as long as you hold the fabric taut and work with patience. Supervising editor Hannah Morrill never saw the point of a fabric shaver until this one came into her life. Now, bringing everything from wool sweaters to sweatpants back from the brink is a welcome treat.

Your face on the fridge

If your mom’s fridge is covered (or cluttered) with family photos, help her streamline the situation—without sacrificing the sweet sentiment—by giving her custom photo magnets. Our favorite service for the job is Inkifi. With this service, you can easily select images from your desktop, phone, or even Instagram, to convert into a four-pack of 3-by-3-inch magnets or a nine-pack of 2-by-2-inch magnets. Shipping these little magnets costs about $9, but it’s worth it for the ease and quality of this gift.

A handsome candle

A nice candle has the power to make a room glow magically and smell amazing. (And with the increasing frequency of power outages across the country, it’s also functional!) Wirecutter deputy editor Jason Chen swears by P.F. Candle Co.’s Amber & Moss Soy Candle, and our comprehensive testing confirmed its greatness. The candle burns slowly and gives off a subtle, woodsy scent of sage, moss, and lavender.

Catty cloth

In this joyful print, cats celebrate the summer holiday of Tanabata, tying their wishes to a tree in the hope that they come true. If you were wishing for a cute gift idea, yours has just come true. Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths, and the mom on your gift list can use one for anything—as a tea towel, a handkerchief, or gift wrap. Staffers have bought other cotton furoshiki from the woman-owned Umami Mart, and they shared that these towels have a nice, tight weave and hold up well against washes.

Flower holder

The Heath Ceramics Bud Vase is a timeless classic, designed in the 1980s by Edith Heath, the late, legendary American studio potter who co-founded Heath Ceramics with her husband, Brian. The petite vase comes in a crackle pattern and three solid colors (including a yarrow-yellow and an indigo blue), as well as some limited seasonal glazes. At 3¾ inches tall, the vase may seem slight for the price. Yet moms with an eye for artisanal beauty will appreciate that it can spark joy in any small corner, with or without a few blooms.

Massage mat

A linen topper spangled in 27-point plastic spikes covers a foam mat. The company that makes the scary-looking Prosource Fit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set says it provides a passive acupressure massage that stimulates circulation and helps sore muscles feel better. Joseph Bernstein, a New York Times Styles reporter, first put this set on our radar, saying, “For five minutes, it’s torture. Then you feel great: relaxed, loose, maybe even a little sleepy. As a bonus, there’s no hangover. And you only have to pay for it once!” We couldn’t agree more.

Swedish sweets

A box of chocolates is always a wonderful gift, but it can also be a tad predictable. If your sweet-toothed mom likes her candy a little, er, outside the box, consider the offerings from New York City–based BonBon, a favorite of Wirecutter’s kitchen team. This company imports impeccable Swedish treats, such as sour mini strawberry gummies, chocolate-covered rice puffs, and, of course, Swedish fish, and they come in an array of sophisticated flavors, like lemon, orange, pear, and berry. Fill a large box with a mix-and-match assortment of your choice. This candy does come wrapped in a lovely pink box, tied with a ribbon, but it’s far from standard.

Everything pouches

Whether she needs a place to keep her lipstick, her art supplies, or her dirty gym clothes, your mom probably could use some zippered pouches. We love this colorful Baggu Go Pouch Set, and we use them to stash everything and to keep larger purses and suitcases organized. They’re made of heavyweight recycled nylon, come in a bunch of different patterns and colors (we love the orange trees), and are easy to clean in the machine.

Anywhere hiking maps

If your mom is a trekker or even just a casual walker, the All Trails app will help her find dozens of routes nearby, no matter where she is. Staff writer and hiking enthusiast Samantha Schoech has used this app all over the world to find hiking and walking trails, but she uses it most often to explore closer to home. It sorts hikes by difficulty, length, activity (including mountain biking, walking, and backpacking). And it shows whether a trail is suitable for dogs, strollers, or wheelchairs. It will also let your mom know if she’ll be rewarded with a view or a waterfall, and it provides turn-by-turn instructions, so she won’t get lost. The All Trails app even works offline, for when she’s really off the beaten path. If you have a little more to spend, this app would be a great combo gift with Darn Tough Vermont Women’s Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Socks.

Handsome tapers

HAY’s Stripe Candles (which come in a set of four) are made from 100% stearin wax. They have a smooth, understated finish and a pleasant burn. And during testing, these colorful candles were extremely low-maintenance—there were no drips (hence why they’re some of our favorites), and each one burned for about 10 hours. The ridged base also helps them stay snugly in their holders, with no wobbling. These candles are a great option for the mom who likes to set a scene and is ready to branch out from her “safer” designs.

A pretty planter

This geode planter is the perfect vessel for holding a succulent or a candle. Ray and Val Talbert, the husband-and-wife duo who run the Pittsburgh-based studio, ethically source minerals. And together with their small team, they carefully arrange the stones over hand-cast concrete to create a faux-geode look. Edged in gold, this planter is a uniquely beautiful piece that any mom will love.

An ice cream cooler

Imagine finishing a hike and instead of noshing handfuls of gorp, your mom is rewarded with cold ice cream. Imagine topping off a long, leisurely picnic in the sun with cold ice cream. With this triple-layered, vacuum-sealed pint cooler, one can do just that. Sure, it’s a single-function item, but for the price, it sparks quite a bit of joy. Be warned that this vessel, like any cooler, doesn’t prevent melting, but it does slow it down. Reviewers agreed that after three hours, things got pretty soupy. Most will find the ice cream in their Ice Cream Chiller pleasantly softened a few hours later.

Tessellating trays

Whether your mom needs somewhere to set her keys and sunglasses or to create a beautiful still life of precious objects, these colorful geometric trays from Hay will do the trick. They’re made of scratch-resistant, powder-coated steel, and they come in 15 mix-and-match colors and five sizes. The extra-small diamond shape is about $20 and great for small doo-dads, like AirPods or loose change; the hexagonal small size is a great single-serve snack tray; and the broadest, largest tray makes a useful indoor/outdoor carryall.

Elegantly tough gardening gloves

These supple goatskin gloves count passionate garden enthusiasts among their many fans. They’re tough but not bulky, like many leather work gloves. The material will stretch and mold to your mom’s hands after she uses them for a while, making them fit like, well, a glove. They arrive white, and even though she can clean them simply by wearing them to wash up, they do brown with age. If she’s the more practical type, a pair from our guide to gardening gloves has a handful of great options.

An everything tote

The L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is a classic for a reason; it lasts forever, and the design is infinitely malleable (preppy to boho, maybe not punk). The mom on your list can use it to carry everything (keys, wallet, firewood), depending on the size. Staff writer Samantha Schoech has been using and abusing her extra-large tote through 16 years of raising twins, and it’s still going strong. Caveat: These totes do get dirty, and although you can throw them in the washing machine, the thick, rigid canvas will never be pristine again. Of course, that’s part of the charm.

A cotton kaftan

Giving clothing is a risky proposition, but this item isn’t exactly clothing. It’s more like a cute and wearable soft breeze. The construction of this cotton kaftan is relatively straightforward: a rectangle of cotton with a reinforced v-neck, drawstring waist, kimono-like sleeves, and subtle side slits. But the kaftan’s versatility is definitely not basic. Staff writer Samantha Schoech wears hers most often as a housedress, but it also comes in handy as a beach cover-up, nightgown, or even a sundress. She suggests the longer, ankle-length version, although it comes knee-length, too. It’s also available in more than 400 prints and patterns, plus style variations like side ties or front buttons.

Dopp kit like it’s hot

If your mom has some travel on the horizon, make it easy for her to tote all of her bathroom essentials with one of our favorite dopp kits from Topo Designs. This bag has space to hold all the usual gear, like toothpaste, floss, and sunscreen. Yet due to the unique prism shape and color-blocked design, no one else will mistake it for their own kit. In addition to being available on Topo Designs’ site, this dopp kit is available (in varying stock) at many retailers, and it comes in more than a dozen bold color combinations.

A cute little vessel

At first glance a butter warmer may seem like a bizarre gift (like, I thought my microwave was already a butter warmer). But don’t be misled by the name: This cheery, vintage-looking vessel does much more than melt butter. The 16-ounce enameled steel vessel is also great for small tasks, like heating up soup for one or warming hot chocolate. And the cute wooden handle is easy to grab, making it perfect for ladling. This sweet little item is a gift that keeps on giving, and your mother will find endless uses for it.

Luxurious moisture

The smooth round Kate McLeod Daily Stone Solid Moisturizer is a pleasure just to hold. Yet it’s even better rubbed on dry or damp, post shower skin. Made with cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernel oil, it softens and melts when in contact with warm skin, providing a lightweight, subtly scented body oil that doesn’t drip, leak, or go on too heavy. Once your mom has the kit, she can buy refills for the reusable bamboo container (currently for about $40). This gift is not cheap, but it is a relatively affordable daily luxury.

Paintings by an Impressionist master

Mary Cassatt made her career painting two classes of people rarely highlighted during the late 19th century: mothers and their children. Cassatt was one of few female painters in the Impressionist circle of Paris. And her oil paintings and pastels reveal her access to the most intimate moments of those she depicted, glorious in their mundanity: a woman bathing her baby, two children playing on the floor, a mother breastfeeding. This hardcover book collects the very best of Cassatt’s works, with supplementary essays to help the mother in your life appreciate them to the fullest.

Spices galore

If the mom you’re shopping for likes to cook, she’ll get great use out of this spice collection, which is also one of our favorite budget-friendly edible gifts. Curio Spice Company toasts or grinds many of its spices in-house and sources them from small, sustainable farms around the world, making for more vibrant and nuanced flavors. Plus, the spices are packaged beautifully in a little cardboard box with cooking suggestions and recipes included.

Dorie Chevlen contributed reporting. This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.