Mother's Day 2025: The Coolest One-Of-A-Kind Gifts

Forbes

12-04-2025

A hand-carved cameo of a beloved Husky, set into a ring.
When asked about their ideal gift, many mothers will reply 'you are gift enough.' Great answer, but not totally buying it. It's in our nature to want to recognize Mom (or a Mom figure) with a gift that will wow, and the definition of 'wow' will morph over time. As kids it may be breakfast in bed or a drawing or other hand-made item, which later turns into a really nice dinner out, and even later becomes treasures packaged in boxes in specific shades of blue or orange. What could top that? Something created specifically for her that is truly one of a kind. Here are eight options to consider. All will take time, effort and patience. None will be ready in time for Mother's Day next month, but you can present her with a hand-drawn 'certificate' of what's to come. Just like you did as a kid.
A custom cameo by Amedeo.
Amedeo Scognamiglio is the sixth generation of a renowned cameo-carving family, founded in 1857 by his great-great-great grandfather in Torre del Greco, Italy. While his family still produces classic cameos, Amedeo's incorporate more modern motifs and contemporary jewelry styles. His 'Create Your Own' program offers the opportunity to have a cameo created in the likeness of yourself, a family member, a cherished pet or (almost) anything else. After a consultation to discuss a client's vision, including portrait references, motifs and/or themes, Amedeo's team will create a sketch for approval. Once approved, the image is hand-carved by artisans in Italy in a process that can take several weeks. Finally, the finished cameo is set into a jewelry design, whether a ring, pendant, brooch, bracelet or even a baseball cap, and delivered to the lucky recipient. Price upon request. Amedeo.shop.
Matouk's bespoke bedding program allows clients to choose a fabric, finish and add-ons like appliques or embroidery.
Sweet dreams are made of Matouk linens, created to your specifications. The age-old company's customization program allows clients to choose from one of 100 existing fabrics, each available in anywhere from three to twelve colors, to make pretty much anything in the bedlinen (or table linen) category. There's a caveat, however: this is best done through an interior designer or by personally visiting the House of Matouk in New York City, as being able to touch and feel fabrics and see finishing options in real life greatly helps decision making. In addition to a library of fabrics, the company also boasts a large archive of applique and embroidery designs, as well as an impressive assortment of designs and fonts for monograms, with the ability to replicate an existing design. The process generally takes six to eight weeks from the approval of a design. Matouk.com
Louis Vuitton offers a bespoke fragrance service.
For a Mom into luxury goods and perfume, a unique fragrance created by a legedary nose for an equally legendary house is a win-win. Said nose is master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, the house is Louis Vuitton, and this service might be their best-kept secret. The 'Made-to-Measure fragrance experience on the French Riviera,' begins with an overnight stay at Les Fontaines Parfumées and dinner with the master perfumer himself. During Mom's time here, she'll work with him to create an 'olfactory portrait,' based on her perfume habits, tastes, lifestyle and even memories. From there, the master perfumer draws from his extensive knowledge and experience to develop several formulas in his atelier; samples are sent to Mom and a back-and-forth may ensue over the course of a year. The end result — four 100ml bottles, three 200ml bottles, a 100ml travel case, a travel spray and 16 refills — is delivered in a trunk that was hand-crafted in Louis Vuitton's Asnières workshops. Mom's exclusive formula will forever be archived at Les Fontaines Parfumées, making refills a breeze. Price upon request, Louis Vuitton.com
Cotton Candy Swirl surfboard by Proctor Surf
Todd Proctor of Proctor Surf has been shaping surfboards for over three decades. The California native, whose shop is in Ventura, shaped his first boards in a shed in his grandfather's back yard in 1991 and started his own label the next year. Proctor specializes in custom boards, which he crafts for every experience level and wave types all over the world. He'll speak directly with Mom to discuss her surfing journey, body mechanics, goals and wave type, and advise her on the best board to suit her needs. Further customization comes in the artful finishes, whether resin art and sprays by Todd himself to standard airbrushes, and even one of Mom's photos, digital art, or paintings (they print those on special material and laminate into the boards). Lead time ranges from 8 – 12 weeks. Prices vary greatly so it's best to contact the shop for an estimate. ProctorSurf.com
A cameo portrait by artist Doug Meyer
Doug Meyer is a Hudson Valley, New York-based artist and designer who broke the internet when he started posting cameo portraits he created — colorful, multi-dimensional profiles, adorned with semi-precious stones, agates, crystals, abalone, colored plexi-glass and even pieces of mirror. They created a big of a frenzy, garnered a lot of media attention, and commissions galore. Meyer works from photography provided by the client (or taken by him, if the meeting happens in New York City, which he prefers). He'll ask about colors they like, or don't, and then gets to work hand crafting their cameo using a proprietary technique that he spent three years developing. The result is a 24-inch round colorful creation, a one-of-a-kind art piece and future heirloom. From $6,000. Inquiries: [e-mail]
Sterling Silver cutlery by Heath Wagoner
Heath Wagoner went to school to be a painter, but took a small metals course and fell in love. We now reap the benefits of his pivot in the form of beautiful barware, cutlery and objets that he crafts in his Brooklyn studio. There are plenty of exceedingly gift-able pieces — cocktail picks, an egg set, a bolo tie — but the ultimate luxury is undoubtedly a set of custom designed and crafted cutlery (the pieces shown above were inspired by the flatware of Alexander Calder). The process begins as all the aforementioned do, with a meeting to learn as much as possible about a client's preferences, which could include an excursion (if in New York City) to see silver tableware currently offered at luxury retailers or showrooms, as well as a mini history lesson on the category. Some clients have family pieces they love, don't love, or want refabricated or reinvented. Others want their own design. Wagoner creates watercolor sketches, then samples in silver-plated brass, and the final product in sterling silver. Production begins upon approval of samples, and timing varies depending on how many pieces are ordered. HeathWagoner.com
Smythson
In today's digital age, a hand-written note stands out more than ever before. And as with almost every other category of product, there are varying levels of quality. Search Etsy and you'll find a plethora of companies providing perfectly fine 'ready-to-wear' personalized notecards and the like. Couture is a completely different story, and there are just a few purveyors. Smythson, a company founded over 130 years that holds multiple Royal Warrants, is one of them. Their specialty is engraved stationery, meaning a copper plate, engraved with client's details, is used for printing (and the letters are visibly raised). There are a variety of fonts and lettering styles to choose from, as well as colors. The piece de resistance is the envelope, which is fully lined in tissue that, naturally, matches the color used on the notecard. Smythson.com
(Worth noting: while Smythson can duplicate your monogram, they don't offer bespoke monogram design. If you'd like to commission one for Mom, read this post about one of the best in the business).
Private Label
Private Label is a London and Dubai-based company that customizes luxury timepieces for the 1%. This can range from the simple (changing the color of a dial) to ceramic coating in a custom color (see the pink Audemars Piguet below) to completely encrusting watches in stones, as they did with the Rolex, above (those are orange and red sapphires on the dial, case and bracelet).
Private Label
There' the option to buy a timepiece they've already customized (they are experts at sourcing even the most rare models), or having them work their magic on a watch Mom already owns. Pieces take anywhere from 2 – 8 weeks to customize. Some excellent examples are on their Instagram; info and inquiries at PrivateLabelLondon.com