Getting a gift for a parent is a classic struggle. What do you get someone who has everything they need already? Besides, if a genuine need does pop up, they’ll probably just address it without waiting for Mother’s Day to roll around. That’s where this list comes in. It has a ton of unique Mother’s Day gifts for your 2019 Mother’s Day celebrations.

Perfectly Unique Mother’s Day Gifts for this year

Some are D.I.Y., others are smaller “I’m thinking of you” token gifts, and others are larger “I appreciate the heck out of you” presents. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Surprise Clean the House

This first one is the perfect amalgam of a D.I.Y. and an experience-based gift. Get mom a “decoy” gift card and send her to her favorite spa, coffee shop, etc. Then, once she’s out the door, rally the kids and go on a cleaning spree! Not only will mom enjoy a short breather, but also come home to a clean house.

Pro Tip: Make sure to go into this one armed with a plan to help the kids be effective and helpful, or else you’ll find the work twice as hard as if you tried to go it alone.

Get Her a Metal Detector

A surprise visit to the beach is fun on its own, but those sandy shores also happen to be one of the best places to search for lost jewelry. Rather than settling for the cliche option of getting Mom a necklace or a bracelet, consider going all out with a metal detector. Not only will she be able to try out an experience that most people only see in the movies, but she’ll likely still end up with some jewelry when all’s said and done.

Surprise Her at Work

Having a gift delivered directly to her desk can be a great way to show Mom that you care. Before you hop online and head over to ProFlowers or Shari’s Berries, though, check out Popcornopolis. You can customize your own popcorn with Mom’s favorite flavors and even have it sent in a cute holiday tin.

Pro Tip: Be sensitive about how you deliver this one. It may seem like a good idea to drop off the gift yourself, but arriving at her work (especially with kids in tow) can also have the effect of putting her on the spot in a not-so-pleasant way. Be sensitive to the situation!

Give Her a Night Away

Sometimes all Mom really wants is a genuine, bonafide break. It might be a tad pricier than some of the other options on the list, but if it’s in the budget, consider renting a room at a nearby upscale hotel and then sending the family matriarch off for a night all to herself. Along with a comfortable bed, luxury food options, and perhaps a visit to the spa or hot tub, Mom will also get the chance to be alone with her thoughts without anyone interrupting her every five minutes with a question.

Send Her on a Play Date

With partners and kids constantly demanding their attention, mothers often find it difficult to carve out some time to spend with their friends. With that in mind, consider offering a chance for Mom to go hang out with her friends for once. In fact, if you’re feeling ambitious, try to set up an entire girls trip. For example, this getaway trip outline in Upstate, NY is a great way to have a fun-filled, low-pressure adventure.

Pro Tip: Make sure to keep your Mom’s personality in mind with this one. If she loves surprises, by all means, surprise her. But if she likes to know what’s going on, make sure to include her in the planning. You don’t want her gift to be more stress than fun!

Perfect the Relaxing Bath Experience

Moms are busy, there’s no denying the fact. While the idea of a spa treatment may be overdone, bringing the spa treatment home is a nice way to give Mom a chance for a little self-care without stepping foot out of the house … or even the bathroom, for that matter.

This one is fun, as you can assemble the gift in whatever way you want. Here are some ideas:

• Get a wine glass holder for the wall. This way Mom can enjoy a glass of pinot noir without having to worry about getting any bubbles in the cup.
• Make some I.Y. bath bombs. There are a million different ways to do this, and the ingredients combo is uniquely in your control.
• Get (or make) a wooden bath caddy. From holding the iPad to providing a landing spot for the tea candles, a bath tray can be the glue that brings the bathing experience together.

Pro tip: As you go about assembling the perfect relaxing bath package, try to match your wine selections with your bath bomb aromas. The synergy of the two, when matched up, is delightful and adds an even deeper level of thoughtful touch to the whole package.

Upgrade to the Third Wave Coffee Experience

Coffee is part and parcel of the motherhood journey. That morning cuppa (or five) is a critical part of what keeps so many moms going. With that in mind, you may want to think about upgrading Mom’s java experience by getting her a Chemex starter kit. From the beautiful Chemex brewer to the accompanying filters, gooseneck kettle, and drip scale, this one ensures that no matter how hard of a day she’s having, at least she’ll always have access to a perfectly brewed, smooth cup o’ joe.

Pro Tip: If you go with the Third Wave coffee option, remember to hook her up with a good brewing guide, too!

Sign Her Up for a MasterClass

Guitar lessons from Carlos Santana, tennis instructions from Serena Williams, cooking tips from Gordon Ramsay, what’s not to love? If Mom is the kind of person who loves to always be learning, you might want to sign her up for a MasterClass. Whether she uses it to hone her everyday cooking skills with Thomas Keller or chooses to study space exploration with Chris Hadfield, a MasterClass can be an excellent way to get a gift with tremendous “outside the box” value.

Take Her Around the World

Okay, we’re not talking about literally taking her around the globe (unless you can swing that kind of thing, which … more power to you). But even if you can’t travel the world with Mom, you may be able to do the next best thing: bring the world to her. Signing your mother up for a Discover the World Through Food box subscription is a great way to give a unique bundle of culinary experiences that come from all over the globe.

The monthly subscription includes:

• gourmet snacks
• drinks
• cooking ingredients

All are chosen with an eye towards adding a splash of the uncommon into her everyday foodie experiences.

Getting Mom the Perfect Gift

Whether it’s a clean house, a night away, the perfect bath, or a quality cup of coffee, there are countless ways to come up with a unique gift this Mother’s Day. No matter what direction you go in, picking something different is a fun way to show the mothers in your life that you care enough to find something that speaks to them directly. No matter what the reaction, you can bet it’ll be better than a Hallmark card.

Author Bio: Brooke Faulkner is a writer and mom in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. You can check out more of her writing on twitter, @faulknercreek