We asked our moms what they want for Mother's Day. Here's what they said

CNN

17-04-2025

Mother's Day will be here before you know it, and while flowers and chocolates are always a classic gift she'll love, we wanted to make sure we hit a home run with our gifts this year — because our moms truly deserve it.
To find out what moms really want this year, we turned to the best source possible: our own mothers. Who better to get the inside scoop from than the powerhouse women who have spent years receiving all sorts of gifts? While they definitely cherish everything from macaroni necklaces to timeless jewelry, this year, we wanted to go above and beyond and give them something they actually want.
From meaningful experiences to practical gadgets, here's a glimpse into what the moms of CNN Underscored editors want this Mother's Day. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our favorite personalized Mother's Day gifts that are sure to wow her.
Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker
My mom has been asking for a breadmaker ever since she started baking. After reading our best bread machine story, I knew she'd love this one from Zojirushi. It's compact and has an easy-to-read LED display. I can't wait to see her bread making skills thrive. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writerRead our review
Osteo Cervical Pillow
My mom has wanted a cervical pillow for the longest time. She's a deep side sleeper who deserves all the beauty rest, so I've decided to get her this expert-approved cervical pillow for neck pain. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer Read our review
Baggu Go Pouch Set in Puffer Snoopy
One thing about my mom? She adores all things Peanuts, especially when it comes to Snoopy. She's been asking for a Snoopy-themed gift and these Baggu pouches are the perfect gift to help her organize her tote bag. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer
Vänt Upholstered Wall Panels
I recently put up these wall panels for my bed. Ever since, my mom has been obsessed with them. She doesn't have a headboard on her bed and she wanted something that wasn't too difficult to set up, but still looked good. They're not hard to install and make your sleeping space look a lot more elevated. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Sproos! Fluted Shower Liner
My mom has been bugging me for this gorgeous shower liner — three, to be specific, for each bathroom in her home. However, I already got her the Our Place Always Pan 2.0 for Mother's Day, so she's going to have to wait until her birthday in June to makeover her bathrooms! — Michelle Rae Uy, writer, testing and updates
Asics Gel-Nimbus 26
A while ago, I gave my mom a pair of these Asics sneakers that were a tad too big on me. She ended up loving them so much for her daily walks that she wore them out until the treads were gone. She specifically asked for another pair this year for Mother's Day! — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor
Theragun Mini Massage Gun
The last time my mom came over to visit, I had just gotten back home from a tough workout class and was massaging my muscles with the latest Theragun Mini. She said she was dealing with tired, achy muscles too, so I let her try it out and she fell in love. My mom specifically wants the Theragun Mini because it's easy to hold and maneuver (and less intimidating than a full-size massage gun). — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor
Polar Recovery Tub
My mom is one of those people obsessed with wellness trends — and the latest one to catch her eye is cold plunge tubs. She tries to take cold showers in the morning to energize herself, which is a start, but she really wants to take it to the next level by actually getting a cold plunge tub. I think this one would be a great gift for her because it's small, affordable and the best cold plunge tub for beginners that we've tested. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor Read our review
Thank You, Mom Tinggly Box
Like me, my mom loved surprises and experiences. After so many years being a mom, there were only so many physical gifts she could receive that continued to delight and surprise her. A few years ago, I started to gift her activities — like wine tasting or pasta-making workshops — which were met with a mixture of reactions (some she loved and some she regifted!). Then I came across Tinggly, which contains thousands of different experiences your mom can choose from. She receives a cute box in the mail with information and a redemption code, then she goes online to choose her own adventure (you set the price point ahead of time). No more disappointments or wasted gifts, and it's still somewhat of a surprise as you can explore everything the service has to offer before choosing what you want to do. — Rachel Quigley, managing editor
Qure LED Face Mask
My mom has tried a couple of LED masks but she has sensitive eyes and can't get through a full session when the red light is blinding her. Of course, she wants the anti-aging benefits of red light therapy, so she's after a more comfortable device. I've tried many and this one by Qure is one of the most wearable for multiple reasons. It has guards on the eye area that block the red light so you can see clearly, customizable treatment zones that you control with your phone and quick three-minute sessions. It's a bit pricy, but it's easy to incorporate into an everyday routine so the cost-per-use isn't that bad if you use it daily. Plus, my mom is worth it! — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor
Sorel Caribou Women's Clog
My mom loves being in her garden. She's constantly planting seeds, arranging rocks and watering plants, but she's doing it in very old clogs. For Mother's Day, I'm looking to upgrade her gardening footwear and came across the Sorel Caribou Clog. The shoe has a slight planform that my mom will love and is made of waterproof materials to keep her comfortable as she works. — Gareen Puglia, associate testing writer
Muddy Bites Double Fudge Waffle Cone Snacks
Yes, one of the only things my mom wants for Mother's Day is this snack! I tried these out and instantly fell in love. Then, I gave my mom some and she was immediately hooked too. She said it is easily one of her favorite snacks of all time and that I should get more for her this year. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Quiet Town Catalina Bath Sheet Cherry
If you're looking to give your mom a thoughtful and luxurious gift this Mother's Day, the Catalina Bath Sheet is a perfect choice. Not only does it add a beautiful pop of color to the bathroom, but its ultra-soft material offers an unmatched level of comfort and absorbency. After seeing mine, my mom immediately wanted one for herself. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Naadam Women's Embroidered Dog Cashmere Sweater
For a cozy yet stylish gift, this sweater is a must. It's ultra-soft, breathable and adorable, featuring a cute, embroidered dog design. After seeing me wear mine, my mom knew she had to have it too. We have three dogs, so it really resonated with her. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Bull Guard Crossbody Leather Wallet Phone Purse
My mom said she's tired of carrying a big heavy purse around everywhere, which is why she wants a small, crossbody wallet this Mother's Day. She said it would help her keep her hands free on short shopping trips and while traveling, and the RFID feature of this wallet from Bull Guard is a big plus. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pets editor
Sonder LA Laurel Cutting Board
My mom is a fantastic cook, so it was no surprise when she said she'd love a new cutting board. This one is our top pick for the best wood cutting board, and it's exactly what she's looking for. She said she wants a board that's not too thin, not too hard so it won't dull her knives, but also not too big. Oh, and it needs to be bacteria-resistant too. Luckily, the Sonder LA cutting board ticks all of these boxes. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pets editor Read our review
Ranavat Brightening Retinol Eye Cream
My mom always loves to try different skin care products, and the bright orange bottle of this under-eye retinol cream caught her attention. Not only did she like the packaging, but she was also impressed that it's vegan and free of parabens and other chemicals while still being effective and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. — Lindsey Smith, editor, newsletters
Hatch Restore 3
My mom has dropped more than one hint about being interested in this bestselling device. She recently got rid of her alarm clock that she's had since the 80s and is trying to rely on her phone less as an alarm. This device is a great screen-free option with a gentle wake up. — Lindsey Smith, editor, newsletters
Women's Bamboo Stretch-Knit Long-Sleeve Pajama Set
I visited my parents last month, and since I won't see my mom for Mother's Day, I was ahead of gifting. She's the pajama queen, and I knew she didn't have an editor-loved Cozy Earth set yet. When I saw the brand dropped a tulip-adored version (my mom's favorite flower), I knew this was going to be her gift this year. Spoiler: She's obsessed and couldn't stop touching them! — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor
Dearfoams Cozy Memory Foam Ballet Slippers
My mom loves flowers and wearing slippers around the house. So, this Mother's Day, I'm skipping the usual bouquet and instead giving her these pretty, velvety-soft ballet slippers from Dearfoams. She'll love the pink floral velour style and the fact they're machine-washable. They are also available in 20 different colors and nine sizes, including wide widths. — Suzanne Kattau, sleep, home and kitchen testing editor
In'voland Women's Rain Jacket
Now that spring is here, my mom's been hinting that she wants a new jacket that she can wear to church and around town. She's had her eye on this hooded windbreaker with pockets, so I'm giving it to her in navy, her favorite color. It's waterproof, quick to dry and lightweight. — Suzanne Kattau, sleep, home and kitchen testing editor
Purple Carrot Plant-Based Meals
My mom has cooked dinner almost every night for my dad for as long as I can remember. She recently told me she'd like them to eat less meat but doesn't know how to pick vegetarian recipes worth making. So, I'll be sending them some vegetarian, ready-to-eat meals from Purple Carrot so she can hang up her apron for a week. Gift amounts start at $50 and go up to $1,000. I can even write a personal message to my mom and Purple Carrot will email my sentiments to her. — Suzanne Kattau, sleep, home and kitchen testing editor Related article
31 Mother's Day gifts under $50 she'll be completely obsessed with
We know you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why Underscored editors carefully curate each gift guide to include a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you're shopping for (though, if you're seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means we really love them). To make sure each gift you give is a hit, we include products hand-tested by our team, foolproof presents we've given to someone (or have been given), the newest products from our favorite brands and other trending items taking over our social feeds.
For this guide, our dedicated team of writers and editors reached out to their moms to find what gifts they want this Mother's Day.