Procrastinated? 40 Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts That'll Feel Special

Forbes

05-05-2025

Waited too late to think about the perfect Mother's Day gift? I've been there. (The big day is on Sunday, May 11, by the way.) To my fellow chronic procrastinators and overthinkers: You can breathe now, because our team combined years of gift-giving expertise with our data-sifting prowess to gather the absolute best last-minute Mother's Day gifts. Our thoughtful but speedy picks include a limited-edition Sprinkles cupcake assortment, a luxe hotel-style robe, a stunning pair of pearl studs and, of course, a bouquet from 1-800-Flowers, an editor-loved service with same-day delivery.
And if you're thinking there's no way a last-minute present can meet our rigorous criteria when choosing the best Mother's Day gifts (and moms absolutely deserve nothing less), we, respectfully, beg to differ. Below, you'll find 40 heartfelt Mother's Day gifts that also happen to qualify for fast delivery. For more last-minute gifting ideas, check out our favorite subscription boxes for moms and first-rate flower delivery services we've tried firsthand.
Fastest delivery: By May 9 (May 8 order cut-off)
If Mom has an insatiable sweet tooth, don't fret: Sprinkles Cupcakes' limited-edition Mother's Day Bundle means she won't have to choose. This assortment of 12 cupcakes features four of the brand's most scrumptious flavors: Strawberry Shortcake Bar, Vanilla, Red Velvet and Dark Chocolate. What's more, the whole package comes adorned with 'Happy Mother's Day' gift wrapping and is available to ship overnight. The only catch? You'll need to put in your order by May 8.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime)
If Mom has ever wondered where luxury hotels get their plush, premium bathrobes, she'll be pleased when she discovers this present from FluffCo. Known for its hotel-quality bath and bedding products, my favorite is the brand's classic Hotel Lounge Robe (it's one of the three robes I own that I use the most often). The key to its spa-worthy coziness is the fluffy microfiber exterior, soft fleece interior, and special details like side pockets, a shawl collar and elegant gray piping.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime)
Moms on the move need to stay hydrated. As a long-time Hydro Flash fan, I recommend the brand's cupholder-friendly stainless steel travel bottle, which comes in three sizes, features double-wall vacuum insulation and was just released in new, fun colors like Reef (the pink pictured above). The convenient flex straw and sturdy carry handle have also made this bottle my go-to for commutes and sessions at my hot yoga studio.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
Available in a number of tropical prints as well as neutral stripes, Aloha Collection bags are made from a lightweight, waterproof material that makes them perfect for stowing beach or vacation essentials. Says one of our editors, who recommended this bag, 'My sister gave me one of these waterproof totes filled with some other goodies around the time I had my first baby, and it has been a go-to ever since.'
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
A meaningful, well-made necklace is a fail-safe Mother's Day gift, and I love that this simple necklace with 'Mom' in scripted lettering from Kendra Scott is available on Amazon for under $100. It's made with high-quality brass coated with 14k yellow gold, adorned with a sparkly cubic zirconia gem and, best of all, is available for two-day shipping.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime)
For the moms always on their feet, nothing quite says 'I see you' like a pampering gift. These ultra-soft, feather-yarn grip socks offer a little indulgence, and bonus: She won't be able to tell this set of three rings up at under $10. These spa socks are also infused with vitamin E and lavender for extra soothing relief, and since they're made by Dr. Scholl's, they're also backed by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
The pickleball craze isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Whether your mom is a beginner or is in need of a new set of paddles and gear, this stylish kit has everything she needs. The set includes two chic graphic paddles (approved by the U.S.A. Pickleball Association, no less), a handy sling bag and four balls.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime)
Sometimes the best lipstick to gift a beauty-obsessed mom is one that's multi-purpose, like this one by renowned beauty brand Estée Lauder. The Pure Color Envy Replenish Lip Balm responds to Mom's unique lip 'chemistry' to impart the perfect shade, is subtle for everyday wear and is formulated to be soothing and long-lasting. Plus, she can layer it under her favorite lipstick for more formal occasions.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime); instant, if purchased for Kindle
We haven't forgotten first-time moms, who in many ways have their work cut out for them (my sister is one—and she's a single mom to a 3-year-old). I'm a fan of gifting them both books and toys that focus on emotional regulation from Slumberkins, created by early childhood experts who happen to be moms themselves. For Mom in particular, I recommend this book written by the Slumberkins founders, which I'm planning on gifting my sister: It's filled with practical tools to support her toddler's emotional learning.
Fastest delivery: One-day; same-day via local shop delivery
In addition to a wide variety of special Mother's Day bouquets, 1-800-Flowers has a number of products that are available for same-day delivery—just order before 3 p.m. on weekdays, 2 p.m. on Saturday or 12 p.m. on Sunday. If you have a few extra days to spare, you can shop from a wider variety of bouquets, which are shipped fresh overnight.
Fastest delivery: One-day, overnight (Prime)
Let's face it: Bouquets don't last forever. For moms with a barely-there green thumb, we're fond of gifting these beautiful pop-up hydrangeas that function as both a bouquet and a distinctive pop-up greeting card. (Note: There's also a blank notecard included so you can personalize it.) The bouquet is 12 inches tall but ships flat, making it an extra-special moment when she opens the package and watch them 'bloom' in real time.
Fastest delivery: Three to five business days (Prime)
If you're a Prime member and didn't know Amazon also has a fresh-cut flower delivery service, then consider this your lucky day. Called Benchmark, the service offers a bunch of arrangements, including a curated selection of bouquets for Mother's Day. Our resident gifting expert Jennifer Ferrise highly recommends the service for its convenience, quality and variety. She says, 'In my experience, Benchmark Bouquets have always arrived quickly and open up beautifully [they arrive in bud form] once they're cut and placed in water.' That said, I do want to point out that some of the bouquets have subpar ratings under four stars; personally, I'd opt for one of the higher-rated arrangements to be on the safe side.
Fastest delivery: Next-day, overnight (Prime)
Ask any mom, and odds are she'll tell you the mothering gig can feel like an Olympic sport—and that she doesn't often have the time for recovery. If that sounds like your recipient, get her the latest TheraGun Mini, which comes with three attachments of varying intensity levels; it also has three speeds so she can personalize her massage. Best of all, its compact frame packs up nicely, so it's handy whether she's at the playground or between meetings.
Fastest delivery: By May 9
Weighted blankets are another great gift for mothers seeking extra stress relief or an additional sense of calm during sleep. This Cotton Napper from Bearaby is hand-knit with organic cotton; this unique design also promotes airflow (unlike any other brands), which earned it a spot on our tested list of the best weighted blankets. It comes in weights ranging from 10 to 20 pounds (we advise choosing one that's around 10% of your recipient's body weight) and in three colors.
Fastest delivery: One-day, overnight
I've tried a lot of sleep masks, and Drowsy's comfy silk sleep mask is one I've reached for time and again. No exaggeration: It feels like a plush cloud over my eyes. Made from 22-Momme mulberry silk, which creates the perfect balance of softness and quality, this mask is designed to black out light without irritating Mom's skin or tussling her hair—so she can blissfully take the journey to dreamland.
Fastest delivery: Overnight
The next best thing to a spa retreat: one that ships right to her doorstep, and quick. This fragrant collection of essentials from L'Occitane includes a shower oil, a skin oil for stretch marks, a nail and hand lotion, and a softening almond milk concentrate—all made with nourishing and paraben- and phthalate-free sweet almond oil that's safe for all skin types.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime)
Monogrammed gifts always make for thoughtful Mother's Day presents, especially when your recipient is going to get a lot of use out of them. This 15-ounce ceramic tea mug from Collective Home adds a touch of elegance with its gold alphabet monogram options, and it's ready to gift thanks to the included sophisticated gift box. While it's labeled dishwasher-safe, I suggest recommending that Mom hand-wash when she can to preserve the vibrance of the lettering.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime)
Both a heartfelt personalized gift and a keepsake she'll revisit forever, this seemingly lowly book is one of the best sentimental gifts you can gift to your mother. Filled with 12 fold-and-mail letter templates with prompts like, 'From you I learned the importance of …' and 'One thing I'm glad we share is…,' you can tailor your 'love letters' to Mom in a way that'll have her laughing, crying and all the emotions in between.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
This heartwarming clay handprint kit isn't just a gift for the new mom in your life, but one that your entire family will appreciate in the decades to come. Using non-toxic, baby-safe air-drying clay (a.k.a. no baking needed), all you need is to press in baby's handprint or footprint (or pawprint, if Mom is a pet parent), wait about 10 minutes for it to air dry, and you've got an heirloom she'll love revisiting. Reviewers overwhelmingly say the kit is easy to use, but if you're worried, there's also a convenient video link of instructions on the box.
Fastest delivery: Three- to seven-day
Because of how they're formed, pearls are rightfully a popular symbol of resilience and grace, especially in the face of external stressors. And we'd argue that moms and pearls have those attributes in common, making pearl jewelry the perfect gift to convey just how much your mom inspires you. These studs from Angara (a brand that our on-staff jewelry expert Kari Molvar recommends for its conflict-free, ethically sourced diamonds) are made with 14k gold and 8mm freshwater cultured pearls.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
Both a statement piece of decor and a meditation tool, Homedics' Drift sand meditation table can be programmed, using a connected app, to create a variety of entrancing patterns using a metal sphere that rolls quietly in the sand; Mom can also set light colors, speeds, custom playlists and design schedules. This relaxing display can help her ground herself and re-focus when things get stressful. It also comes highly recommended by updates writer Claire Epting, who says of her Drift, 'The light effects also add a cool, ambient touch. The way the ball glides through the sand literally looks like magic.'
Fastest delivery: Includes priority overnight (order by May 10)
Unsurprisingly, the maker of our favorite gift baskets also tops the list of our highly recommended last-minute food gifts. That's because Harry & David also has a hand-curated monthly box featuring some of its most beloved sweet and savory treats, including its renowned premium pears, Moose Munch milk-chocolate popcorn, and assorted chocolate truffles and cookies. Pre-pay for a subscription of between three and 12 months.
Fastest delivery: Subject to local carrier (or choose delivery date)
Goldbelly is a great source for last-minute gifts because it offers so much variety from food vendors across the country. And some picks, like the Jaques Torres World-Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, can be rushed with upgraded shipping. With options that include authentic New York bagels, a chef meal experience or a dozen confections from the famous Georgetown Cupcake bakery, you can make sure she'll receive a food gift she'll be guaranteed to love.
Fastest delivery: Three- to five-day
Whether she's a budding home chef, self-proclaimed foodie or the hostess with the mostest, Mom is bound to be delighted with Brightland's colorful condiment set. She'll be able to drizzle and dip with four of the brand's cold-pressed flavor-infused olive oils: the Ardor (chili), Rosette (garlic), Arise (basil) and Lucid (lemon). If you're working with a shorter time for delivery, opt for an olive oil subscription, which you can tweak to ship every two weeks up to six months.
Fastest delivery: Two- to three-day (order by May 7)
For the mom who is both a coffee and chocolate connoisseur, there's no better gift than this pairing of Magno's Colombian fine-flavor cacao and Café Quindío, a Colombian family-founded coffee roaster. Co-author Sales is a fan of Magno's ethically produced, 24k gold leaf-adorned bonbons, and these ones feature native tropical, vanilla and fruit flavors. The accompanying coffee, with its subtle sweetness and light acidity, complements the treats beautifully.
Fastest delivery: One-day (Prime)
What if I told you there's a gadget that can extend the lifespan of your opened bottle of wine? Behold, the Coravin Pivot+ System (the 'plus' belies its size, which can fit in the palm of your hand), which protects wine from oxidation for up to four weeks (no more wasting wine). Meanwhile, the aerator attachment helps bring out more aromas and flavors, ensuring that Mom gets the perfect pour every time.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
Remember when tenniscore was one of the biggest fashion trends last year? Well, it never went away, especially with moms of the tennis-playing set. Ame & Lulu's embroidered tennis tote bag is up to the task, perfectly melding functionality, durability (it's made with water-repellent canvas) and style. Plus, it comes in several tennis-themed patterns, and the metal feet are a nice, practical addition. If Mom is more of a pickleball fan, Ame & Lulu also has an equally spacious and stylish pickleball bag.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
Coffee tools and gadgets are one of my favorite gifts to give to moms who fancy themselves aficionados. But to be honest, some moms just want no-frills but still tasty coffee—fast. If that sounds like your recipient, gift them Ninja's convenient, versatile Pods & Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker, recommended by SEO content strategist and coffee lover Dawlat Chebly. 'I've never been a coffee connoisseur, but my friends recently gifted me this coffee maker and I've been obsessed with it since,' she says. 'It comes with a built-in frother so I can really experiment with my drinks and expand my portfolio.'
Fastest delivery: One- to two-day (Prime)
For home cooks who love using fresh herbs or moms simply craving the satisfaction of growing them themselves, this smart indoor garden makes the task easy. The set-it-and-forget-it appliance features LED lights you can adjust as your plants grow, and there's a water reservoir that nurtures the herbs regardless of what the outdoor climate is. You can choose from more than 50 plant pods to go along with this gift, but this particular set already comes with three basil pods.
Fasted delivery: Five-day (Prime)
Succulents make delightful presents for busy moms—they're adorable, fuss-free and still scratch that plant-parent itch. This four-piece assortment includes different succulent species that arrive in a nursery pot, and they're only 2 inches in size so Mom can easily pop one on her desk to brighten up her workspace. What's even better is that the Shop Succulents Store backs these plants with 100% guarantee of their health when they arrive.
Fastest delivery: ASAP or date of choice
Never underestimate the power of a digital gift, especially if it's one that shows that you're truly aware of Mom's interests. The Sill's digital gift card is one such present: It lets Mom choose the plant(s) she wants herself—so you don't risk her not liking the one you got for her (been there, done that). The Sill has cool potted plants for any skill level and lifestyle, including easy-care and pet-friendly options. Still seeking a physical gift? The Sill offers plant subscriptions, too.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
If your mom has a green thumb and spends most of her time with her plants and gardening tools, spruce up her tool kit with this eye-catching watering can. Not only does it come in 10 colors (including a few featuring gorgeous artwork), but Hortican's large-capacity watering can is able to hold up to 1.3 gallons and features a heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant construction. The handle is also ergonomic.
Fastest delivery: Two-day (Prime)
I'll let my sister—the busiest single mom I know, and to whom I gifted a pair of the OluKai Ku'i Slippers in Tan—speak for this Mother's Day gift herself: 'An absolute dream; strong, sturdy, and stylish and functional enough to wear indoors or outdoors. They're super warm and keep your feet cozy no matter what you're doing. A must-have if you wanna look cute and keep your feet warm while you're out and about (either at home or at Target).' I will add, if it sways you, that whenever I visit, I end up borrowing these from her when she's not using them.
Fastest delivery: Four- to six-day
Stylish, body-skimming, breathable and comfortable, there's a lot to love about Z Supply's easy-breezy tank-style midi dress. The flattering silhouette is thanks to the v-cut neckline, sleeveless design and relaxed cotton slub jersey material. Mom will love not only how easy it is to throw this tank-dress on, but also how lightweight and easy to pack it is for those warm-weather trips ahead.
Delivery cadence: Monthly
Gift your mother several months of fresh arrangements with The Bouqs Co.'s flower subscription, Ferrise's 'go-to online florist whenever I'm in need of a thoughtful last-minute gift.' There are three types of bouquets to choose from—an all-rose option, classic arrangements that focus on one type of flower, or farmer's market picks that incorporate unique blooms and greenery. 'In my experience, the [flowers are] downright beautiful. I recently sent an arrangement to congratulate my friend on her engagement, and the bouquet arrived in just a few hours, looking like they were just picked,' Ferrise adds.
Delivery cadence: Monthly
Driftaway is our coffee testers' favorite java subscription for gifting for a few good reasons—one of which is its Explorer Box. This customizable gift box lets you choose between whole bean and ground (the latter option lets you adjust grind level), and Mom will get five 4-ounce bags of coffee, which are freshly roasted in Brooklyn every Monday and Wednesday. From there, your recipient will do a self-guided blind taste test and an optional virtual one to help her nail down her particular taste preferences, and preferred bean origin and roast level.
Fastest delivery: Instant (via email)
Gift your mom a selection of the coolest accessories, full-sized beauty products and other fun surprises with a gift card to FabFitFun. Gift cards can be purchased in denominations of $80, $100 and more, and recipients can use the funds toward the brand's popular subscription box (packed with goodies worth $350) that will be delivered right to their door.
Fastest delivery: Instant (via email)
Tinggly's experience gift boxes allow Mom to take the reins on how exactly she wants to spend her 'me time'—and me time is one of the best gifts you could give moms. Merryl Holland, Forbes group VP of accolades marketing, speaks from experience: 'My husband surprised me with a photography class gift certificate. It was perfect timing after having my daughters [and gave me the chance to] learn how to capture beautiful memories.' Tinggly's Thank You Mom gift box lets the mom in your life choose from 10,000 hand-curated experiences in more than 100 countries around the globe.
Fastest delivery: Instant (via email)
If your recipient is also your wife, we recommend Uncommon Good's online classes, particularly the popular cooking ones. They're the perfect gift if her love language is spending quality time together—and this one has the bonus of having food involved. And no, neither of you needs to be a top chef; that's where the expert teachers (from culinary professionals to Vermont syrup farmers to professional coffee roasters) come in.
Fastest delivery: Instant (via email)
If your mom is anything like me when it comes to fitness, she probably gets bored doing the same workout routine or yoga flow. That's why I recommend ClassPass, an app that's now among my most used because it gives me access to my favorite barre, yoga and boxing classes in my area. The gift amount you choose gets added toward an app subscription, in which she can choose one of several monthly pricing tiers.