29 Mother’s Day gifts for grandma that aren’t flowers

Thank goodness for grandmas and their ability to keep the analog correspondence alive. Papier is one of our go-tos for creating enviable stationery sets that make the perfect gift. There are dozens of styles to choose from that can be customized with everything from just their initials to their name and address.

Delight her with a custom handmade botanical necklace from Hawaii-based Catherine Weitzman. The eye-catching style can be filled with a variety of dried flowers from forget-me-nots to hydrangeas inside a glass chamber. Surrounded by a detailed branch motif, it’s an organic style that’s truly one of a kind.

Prices start at $95

She may not be a writer, but she most certainly has stories to tell. With Remento you can preserve these incredible family tales and turn them into a most cherished book–without ever typing a single word. All you have to do is select from a wide range of thought-provoking prompts which she can answer via video on her device of choice. Then, Remento turns those recordings into written stories that read like a real biography. (There’s even a QR code at the start of each chapter so you can preserve their video content and voice as well!) You can add photos, extra collaborators and purchase additional books for other family members too. Honestly, we’re getting choked up just thinking about it.

Whether she’s beach bound or sipping margaritas poolside (she earned it!), there’s no better way to tote her must-haves than a Bogg Bag. The incredibly lightweight and waterproof design (which has a well-deserved cult-like fanbase) can be customized with a variety of accessories like cooler inserts, water bottle holders, and charms. It also comes in over 40 colors and patterns!

If a bit of luxurious lounging is in order, we suggest the soft-as-cashmere throw from ettitude. Not only is it the perfect weight to take the chill out without overheating, but the dreamy sustainable blanket is crafted with the planet in mind. Made from CleanBamboo which is grown with rainwater and processed in a way that recycles water up to 200 times, it will also eventually fully biodegrade when she’s ready to let it go.

Sentimental jewelry + her grandbaby pride = MVP gift giver status. The statement Gold Family Bracelet from Tiny Tags was designed with matriarchs of growing families in mind–add customized tags with each little one’s name and update it as the brood gets bigger.

Jewelry is always a great gift–but jewelry with a story is even better. The chunky cocktail rings from Smartglass are hand-crafted from glass bottles to create a truly unique conversation piece. Designed by jeweler and artist Kathleen Plate, each one starts with a literal piece of trash which is then turned into a cherished treasure through her own patented process. The rings come with a key to help identify the bottles used, including colorful sake, beer and even Coca-Cola bottles!

Charging her phone has never been easier–or more stylish. Perfect for nightstands and entryway tables, the Catch 3 from Courant combines wireless charging with a convenient catchall for baubles, keys and other small essentials. It may even keep her from losing her phone–again.

She may be a puzzler, but we guarantee she’s never done a puzzle like this. The super fun (and definitely quirky) puzzles from Le Puzz are made up of randomly cut pieces which makes it not too easy, but not too hard either. They have a bunch of fun artwork to choose from, but we recommend the Teeny Tiny Things which in our experience somehow entices the whole family to get in on the action. (A gift in and of itself!)

Framed photos are so committal. Make it easy to swap her favorites any time she likes with this simple but stunning brass photo easel from Artifact Uprising. Each one comes with a set of 12 premium quality 5 x 7″ Everyday Prints she can rotate through again and again.

Pickleball > Shuffleboard. And though the tennis/ping pong mash up has become a total sensation across all demographics, it’s really found favor with the older crowd. A shorter court and wiffle ball style ball (which doesn’t move too far or too fast) means less running and exertion. (Let’s be honest, it’s also what makes it appeal to my 41-year-old running-averse self as well.) Gift grandma (and grandpa!) their new favorite hobby with this great starter set from Big Dill Pickleball. It’s got everything they need to dive right in and challenge the neighbors to a doubles game in no time.

Atone for all those sleepless nights you caused her with some dreamy sleep supports from Saje. Packed in a gift-ready box she’ll find their Sleep Well Restful Roll On, Sleep Well Body Butter, and Lavender Relaxing Face and Body Mist all packed up in a convenient travel bag to help her drift off in cozy darkness.

She may already be the hostess with the mostest, but there’s always something new to learn. From arranging a stunning bouquet to assembling an almost too gorgeous to eat charcuterie board, she can hone a skill right at the dining room table with a virtual workshop from Alice’s Table. Not only do they send everything she’ll need right to her doorstep, but the workshop itself is loaded with tips and tricks that she’ll carry with her long after it’s over. (Did you know if you don’t have fresh flower food that vodka will do in a pinch??) For the ultimate gift, sign both of you up for one of their upcoming workshops and do it together!

If there’s one thing grandma can’t get enough of, it’s photos of her grandkids. Minted offers tons of gorgeous ways to show them off, but this heart-shaped collage is one of our favorites. It’s available in a range of sizes with a variety of frames to choose from if you want to make it extra special.

Unframed prices start at $23

No matter where she’s headed, traveling mamas should have a luxe adventure-ready shawl in her closet. The super soft Mersea Classic Travel Wrap is perfect for keeping warm on drafty planes and makes a gorgeous accessory when she’s reached her destination. It even comes with a matching travel bag!

Just because our parents didn’t obsess over our hydration (seriously, did you drink even three glasses of water your entire childhood?) doesn’t mean we can’t obsess over theirs. Gift her the water bottle you never had as a kid (but definitely do now) and personalize it to make her feel extra special. And yes, there are a bazillion to choose from these days, but we’re partial to the Welly Traveler for the removable infuser for tea or fruit and their gorgeous colors.

Whether she’s a skilled knitter or never picked up a set of needles in her life, there’s something for her at We Are Knitters. Their awesome kits come with luxe yarn and all the supplies she’ll require to craft a stunning wearable or home accessory she’ll be proud of. (And if she gets stuck, they have great video tutorials to help!) Prices start at $36

If she’s already a knitting machine, this personalized yarn bowl could be just the ticket. Handmade from stoneware clay by Leslie Nieto , the clever design helps keep her skein neat and untangled.

What we love about the Blue Streak Grandmother’s Journal is that it’s actually a gift for the entire family. Through thoughtful prompts, Grandma gets to tell her beloveds all about her life and adventures, from childhood all the way to becoming a grandmother. There’s even space inside to include a family tree and a pocket for keepsakes and memorabilia.

Hands down, the absolute best slippers on the planet, every grandma deserves a pair of  Olukai Ku’i slippers. The shearling lining and cushioned footbed makes them feel like slipping your feet into clouds while the indoor/outdoor sole makes grabbing the paper easy-peasy. And if she accidentally wears them out of the house? NBD. No one will even notice. (Says someone who has done just that.)

Bring the bird party to her backyard with a squirrel-proof feeder. They’re pesky critters, but the sturdy steel Perky Pet Pinecone Bird Feeder features a weight-activated “seed shield” which will hold the weight of birds but leave those bigger creatures to find snacks elsewhere.

When it comes to e-readers, you can’t beat the simplicity of the Kindle Paperwhite. The matte screen makes it easy on the eyes, even in bright sunlight and it stays charged for weeks. (Or, if she’d rather listen, it’s equipped with Bluetooth!) At night, it can adjust to a warm light and there are options to increase the size and boldness of the text as well. It’s also waterproof, so if she’s lazing by the pool, there’s nothing to stress about.

You could also go right for the books themselves. An Audible subscription will put thousands of hours of entertainment right at her fingertips. From books to podcasts and even some original programming, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Prices start at $7.95 per month.

Turn her best recipe into a priceless family heirloom! Send along an image of your family’s most loved recipe to have it engraved in the handwriting you know and love onto a handmade cutting board.

There’s a good chance this will be her favorite candle ever. Choose from one of Here for the Burn’s four signature scents—a fruity mango guava, a rich Moroccan amber, a warm spices and evergreen, and musky amber and rose.

Forget what you know about digital photo frames. The Aura Digital Frame is all that and then some. Paired with a free app, it sets up in minutes to instantly share photos and videos with far-flung loved ones anywhere in the world–you can even get started via the app so they’ve got photos right out of the box. It’s super simple to use and comes with unlimited storage and no added subscription fees, so Grandma (and grandpa) will never have to nudge you for photos again. Prices start at $179

Gardening can be a year-round hobby with the right tools. The wifi-enabled and app-controlled countertop garden from Rise Gardens comes with everything needed to keep fresh homegrown greens and herbs on the table no matter what’s happening outside. Bonus points for never needing to be weeded.

With this gift, no one has to be a writer or a poet to make Grandma cry. Knock Knock’s What I Love About Grandma book is filled with sweet and silly prompts like “I love when you say _______” and “If you were a type of pie you’d be ______.”, it’s an instant heirloom she’s sure to cherish.

Gifts are great, but what she really wants is a little love and appreciation. A heartfelt card is sure to hit the mark, especially when it gives her a good chuckle as well. We love the silly but sweet cards from illustrator and graphic designer Brittany Paige and so will she!

Or, you crank that card to 11. The oh-so-stylish pop up cards and paper flower arrangements from Lovepop look gorgeous on her table or mantle and last forever!