Not Your Mother’s Mother’s Day Guide

She’s not a regular mom, she’s a cool mom

by Irina Grechko

Among the many gifts that the hit aughts movie Mean Girls gave us—namely, a reason to wear pink on Wednesdays, numerous quotable gems that we use at a moment's notice ("You go, Glen Coco," "I'm sorry that people are so jealous of me. But I can't help it that I'm popular," "Stop trying to make 'fetch' happen," "Don't have sex because you will get pregnant and die"), and Lindsay Lohan at her height—it gave us Amy Poehler in the role of Regina George's mom. Mrs. George wasn't just any mom, she was a cool mom, ready to offer protection to her daughter and boyfriend ("Can I get you guys anything? Some snacks? A condom?") and alcohol to her daughter's friends ("If you're gonna drink, I'd rather you do it in the house"). And, as big fans of our own matriarchs, we like to think there's a bit of the pink tracksuit-donning Mrs. George in all of them, which makes them even more awesome. Mothers are really the best, aren't they?

With that in mind, just in time for Mother's Day on Sunday, here's our gift guide to everything that your non-regular mom deserves in her life. From tools for the mom with a green thumb to bubbly for the mom who would rather use her thumb to pop open a bottle, we rounded up 20 gifts that are worthy of the most important lady in your life. They say you can't buy love, but if you could, we bet it would be through one of these picks ahead. Happy hour is from four to six!

Photograph courtesy of Goop.

Cool moms love Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle website, Goop. They will love even more the new intoxicating fragrance from the brand, which exudes the mysterious and mystical notes of shiso leaf (which generates bioelectrical energy and manifests sexual attraction), oakmoss (which encourages creative expression and alleviates past wounds and trauma), and palo santo (which reduces stress and clears negative energy). GP puts it best, "It has a great, spicy green quality to it." It's truly something.

Goop, Edition 2 - Shiso Eau de Parfum, $165, available at Goop.

Photograph courtesy of Kuvée.

Your mom is guaranteed to love this smart system that not only keeps opened wine bottles fresh for 30 days, but will also allow her to learn more about the wines that she's drinking. Through a specialty wi-fi wine dispenser (that comes with the first shipment), she'll be able to find new wines, discover their notes and optimal pairings, rate the wines, and purchase directly from the dispenser (yes, it's a dangerous feature after one too many). How it works: Determine the membership that's right for you/your mom (which you can change or pause at any time), select some wines from a curated collection of 50-plus wineries, and wait until the specialty airtight bottles, made to preserve the wine's taste, arrive at your doorstep. Your mom won't forget this gift for a while, making you the best child ever.

Kuvée, dispenser and wine, from $99, available at Kuvée.

Photograph courtesy of Shinola.

You can never go wrong with a gift from this cult Detroit brand, originally known for its watches. Moms who love gardening will especially get a kick out of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Green Works most recent collaboration with Detroit Dirt to promote urban farming in the form of this kit that encourages composting. Come for a gift for your mom, walk out with this leather piggy bank for yourself.

Green Works x Detroit Dirt, Detroit Dirt, $30, available at Shinola.

Photograph courtesy of Tatcha.

Your mom deserves only the best which is why you should get her this moisturizer that Sephora hasn't been able to keep stocked since its launch last month (no, seriously, it's consistently listed as sold out). All to say, don't wait long to buy Tatcha's pore-tightening and moisturizing cream while it's currently available thanks to the good graces of the beauty gods.

Tatcha, The Water Cream, $68, available at Sephora.

Photograph courtesy of Sunday Forever.

Now that you're all grown up, your mom probably has a bit more time on her hands to lounge around and just relax on the weekends. Which is why she needs this amazing constellation print, kimono-style robe in her life. We also need it in our life. Maybe your mom can get it for you for your birthday or something?

Sunday Forever, The Elliot Shorty, $150, available at Sunday Forever.

Photograph courtesy of Boxfox.

We won't ever claim to know how Boxfox knows how to assemble the most perfect gift boxes. We'll just take this self-care-leaning one, that features our favorite skin-care line (Herbivore Botanicals) and candle brand (Voluspa), and possibly the credit for "knowing our moms so well."

Boxfox, Do Not Disturb // Lustre box, $130, available at Boxfox.

Photograph courtesy of Compartes.

If your mother is one for her SoulCycle workouts with a side of a bee pollen-spiked green juice and avocado toast, she will love this new creation (as well as the Vegan Kale one) from our favorite Californian chocolatier. We, personally, are obsessed with the Potato Chip Crisp Chocolate Bar, though. It's, like, less healthy.

Compartes, Avocado Chocolate Bar, $9.95, available at Compartes.

Photograph courtesy of Brooklinen.

Sure, this is the most expensive item on this list, but your mom will absolutely love it. It's a CASHMERE blanket. The extra-soft, baby smooth cashmere side will envelop her in a hug, and the wool will keep her warm. It's a luxe gift that will show your mom that she raised you right, with an appreciation for the finer things in life.

Brooklinen, Cashmere and Lambswool Throw in Camel, $249, available at Brooklinen.

Photograph courtesy of SK-II.

This is for moms who know what they like. And what they like is the complexion of the angelic Cate Blanchett (who has been the face of SK-II for, like, ever), which is probably why they have been using this best-selling essence for a decade now. This is also for moms who like cherry blossoms—like really, really like them. Like, will plan a trip to the Tidal Basin in D.C during their prime season just to bask in their glory.

SK-II, Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence, $229, available at SK-II.

Photograph courtesy of TOMS.

Does your mom secretly love TOMS for their comfort but hates to admit that? She'll love this pair that TOMS created in collaboration with the uber-hip brand & Other Stories. The entire collaboration collection (which saw TOMS try their hand at ready-to-wear) may be our favorite of the season.

TOMS x & Other Stories, Blueberry Canvas Tassel Espadrilles, $64, available at TOMS.

Photograph courtesy of Mullein & Sparrow.

Just the bottle alone should be enough to please any aesthetically appreciative mom, but wait until she gets a whiff and feel of the essential oil-infused rose petals that float amongst the mineral-rich and relaxing bath salts.

Mullein & Sparrow, Rose Bath Salts, $44, available at Mullein & Sparrow.

Photograph courtesy of evo.

While she's indulging in that bath, she should also give her hair some love. Our editors swear by this brand's split end sealant, and your mom will, too, by this entire set.

Evo, the hairy godmother: hydrate, $56, available at evo.

Photograph courtesy of Bandier.

If your mom is the type that watches all the Housewives shows on Bravo (and live texts you during them), participates with you in Katrina and Karena's Bikini Series, and FaceTimes you as she preps her meals for the week (lemon poppyseed muffins are probably her favorite, but maybe coffee cake), she is going to love these leggings courtesy of the Tone It Up ladies. Prepare for her #tiuteam, #bestchildever check-in post on Instagram.

Tone It Up, Island Dip Legging, $78, available at Bandier.

Photograph courtesy of Diptyque.

Fact: Moms everywhere love Diptyque candles. This year secure the role of her favorite child by upgrading her to this stunning diffuser that's available in all of the brand's signature scents and doubles as a decor piece.

Diptyque, 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Hourglass Diffuser 2.0, $175, available at Diptyque.

Photograph courtesy of Nordstrom.

Moms get stressed out a lot. I mean, they're only under the pressure to make a decent human being out of you. Remind your main lady to relax with this skin-care treatment from the incredible, all-natural Tata Harper line that she will love. Or if you're not feeling so subtle...

Tata Harper, Aromatic Stress Treatment, $80, available at Nordstrom.

... get her this body wash, made up of ginger and lavender organic essential oils, from another one of our skin-care favorites.

PLANT Apothecary, Calm Down body wash, $20, available at PLANT Apothecary.

Photograph courtesy of Amazon.

Most moms will never not like getting wine or wine-related accessories as gifts. This glass, with a built-in aerator, shortens the time between opening a bottle of wine and drinking it by just that much. What's not to love?

Chevalier, Stemless Aerating Wine Glasses, $55.90, available at Amazon.

Photograph courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff.

If your mom prides herself on being punny and making the best mom jokes, she will love this. Props to your matriarch if she can pull this one off.

Rebecca Minkoff, Holy Chic case for iPhone 7, $35, available at Rebecca Minkoff.

Photograph courtesy of Origins.

Your mother is going to be fascinated by this visually pretty cleansing oil and will probably ask you several times what the benefits of purple rice are (which, let's face it, you won't know because you're her child and were drawn to the bottle for its aesthetics). She is also going to ask what a cleansing oil is. After you enlighten her and she becomes a convert, she'll give you a call a week later to let you know that purple rice actually illuminates the skin and brightens the complexion.

Origins, Cleansing Oil with Radiance-Boosting White & Purple Rice, $29.50, available at Origins.

Photograph courtesy of We-Vibe.

We told you this wasn't your mother's Mother's Day guide. But, seriously, this sleek and smart sex toy is for the coolest of cool moms out there. Like, Mrs. George cool. (If your mom is one, we'd like to meet her.)

We-Vibe, Wish, $129, available at We-Vibe.

Photograph courtesy of Urban Stems.

We know, we said this was a list of 20 items, but consider this a bonus tip from us. Send your mom flowers. There is no greater gift than one that comes to your work or house as a surprise. Delivery services like UrbanStems or BloomThat make it super easy to procrastinate and wait until the last minute to order a bouquet and even offer gift add-ons (we're obsessed with this Moonstone gift box).