Mother’s Day Gifts for Moms Who Just Want to Relax

After chatting with more than 50 women — my family, friends, coworkers, and even our test kitchen team — it became crystal clear: cozy gifts never miss. Whether she’s a queen of lounging, a serial reader, or just loves a good cup of tea under a blanket, these gifts are all about making her feel extra loved. I’ve seen this stuff in person and compiled the input of a lot of moms. Trust us: these are the things she actually wants.

We’re talking buttery-soft house socks, dreamy candles, cozy loungewear, and little luxuries she might not splurge on herself.

Vuori Joggers

Like the Lululemon of loungewear, Vuori’s sets are buttery-soft, flattering, and built for everything from lounging to airport travel. If you want to splurge on her, this is the pick. Trust me, if you haven’t heard of this brand, you’re about to.

Verloop House Socks

Thick, colorful, and machine-washable. These cozy socks feel more like slippers and are a favorite among moms and editors alike. As someone who’s seen them in person, I can confirm they are worth the price and a lot warmer than they look.

Sand + Fog 3-Wick Candle

For a more affordable option, these candles (found at HomeGoods or online) are large, long-burning, and come in calming scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or vanilla. I’ve noticed that just about every mom’s house I’ve been to has one of these (pro tip: dog moms love their Sand + Paws line).

Cute Matches

An underrated delight. Pair with a candle and you’ve got a full cozy moment.

Brightland Paint & Pour Olive Oil Set

Not your average olive oil. These small-batch blends are beautifully bottled and elevate any pantry or dinner party. Plus, it comes with a cute set of paints to create your own paint (and sip) and pour night.

Dream Tea NYC Custom Blend

I tried this recently and instantly got why it’s such a good gift—you get to create your own custom tea blend (think: florals, caffeine level, even the packaging), so it feels super personal. I made one for myself and immediately thought, “Wait, this is perfect for Mother’s Day.”

Bodum x MoMA Teapot

Small, colorful, and built with a diffuser. Great for tea lovers and comes from the design-forward MoMA store.

Pura Smart Diffuser

Fills her home with delicious scents and is app-controlled. A great pick for moms who love a good-smelling space. My fellow editor recently gifted this to a mom and said it was a hit. And you can choose from a bunch of iconic scents like Capri Blue’s Volcano.

Jade Leaf Modern Matcha Starter Set

I recently tried this for National Matcha Day and was genuinely impressed. The set includes an electric whisk, stainless steel scoop and sifter, plus a full-color handbook—everything needed to start making matcha at home. It’s perfect for moms who are matcha enthusiasts or curious to try. The price point is great for all the tools you get, and the packaging is super cute—ideal for gifting.

Book Nook Kit

These tiny, intricate shelf dioramas are both meditative to build and charming to display. Perfect for readers and homebodies. I think it would be cute to pick a scene from their dream travel place. Plus, a lot of moms I know are into to building these right now.

Quince Cashmere Sweater

A little luxury that feels big. Soft, timeless, and from a brand that moms consistently rave about (seriously, I think I’ve had four bring it up to me recently).

World of Flowers Coloring Book

Pretty, relaxing, and perfect for unwinding at the end of the day. Pair with nice markers or pencils.

Compartés Floral Truffles

This is the kind of chocolate that doubles as art—each truffle is topped with a printed flower, and the whole thing feels like a little spring garden in a box. Not ready to splurge on the whole box? Their individual bars come in the coolest flavors and make a perfect little add-on to any basket.

Ember Heated Mug

Inspired by my coworker who told me that her mother’s day wish was to have her coffee be hot from start to finish. This self-heating mug keeps her drink at the perfect temperature from first sip to last.

Kühl Fresco Jumpsuit

Equal parts cozy and polished—perfect for travel, lounging, or casual dinners. Bonus: it has pockets. A certified favorite of my mom (and pretty much every mom shopping in-store).

Diptyque Satin Oil

For the mom who deserves a vacation (or at least a moment to herself): This satin oil smells like jasmine, ylang-ylang, and pure sunshine. It leaves skin soft, glowy, and subtly scented. Diptyque always nails it with their scents, so I recommend treating your mom to this one.

Aura Digital Frame

You know what would probably make your mom the most relaxed? Seeing pictures of you and your life. Upload family photos from your phone and make her feel instantly connected. Easy to set up, and if you haven’t gotten this already for the mothers in your life—trust me, you’ll win gift-giver of the year.

Cheerie Lane Popcorn Subscription

Fun packaging, unique flavors, and female-founded. Would be cute to pair with tea or olive oil for a cozy kit. And for less than $20 a month, you can get gourmet popcorn delivered right to her door. How perfect is that?

Rifle Paper Co Keepsake Stationery Set

A box of gorgeous, mix-and-match cards for all occasions. For the mom who still loves a handwritten note (which happens to be a lot of the moms in my life).

Belgian Boys Mini Pancakes

The brand’s mom-founded, the packaging is fun, and the mini pancakes (especially the ones with chocolate chips) make breakfast way easier. Bring them over to set up a DIY brunch board or cozy breakfast-at-home situation.

Lush Body Scrub

A self-care staple. These scrubs smell incredible and leave skin super soft. A favorite of Lush employees and regulars alike (my best friend used to work there so I talk to a LOT of Lush employees). The sticky date is their most popular scent, but I’d recommend checking out other ones if she doesn’t love gourmand-type scents.

More Handmade or Experience Gifts for Moms Who Love to Be Cozy

If there’s one thing I heard over and over, it’s that moms want a break—from planning, from decision-making, from doing. These thoughtful cozy experiences make it easy for her to just kick back and feel cared for.

• Gift card to a local spa or massage spot
• Create a DIY cozy night-in kit (tea, book, socks, a sweet candle)
• Book a staycation at a cute inn or boutique hotel
• Homemade body scrubs (easy with sugar, coconut oil, and essential oils!)
• A subscription to a book club box or local coffee roaster
• Get their car detailed for them!

How Did I Choose These?

For this cozy gift guide, I asked more than 50 women—friends, family, coworkers, and even the Food52 Test Kitchen team—what they actually want for Mother’s Day. Over and over, the answer was the same: time to relax. As someone who grew up with a mom who found joy in slow mornings, soft blankets, and a good candle, I totally get it. Every pick here is something I’ve gifted, plan to gift, or secretly hope shows up at my door.

What’s a gift you’d love to receive? Let me know in the comments as I’m always searching for my next guide!