Gift Edit 2023

10 Unique (and Thoughtful!) Mother’s Day Gifts for $50 or Less

updated Mar 14, 2023
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This feature is part of The Kitchn’s Gift Edit, our editor-curated collection of gift ideas. Need more inspiration? Check out all our guides here.

As the snow (mostly) begins to melt, Valentine’s Day starts to disappear in the rearview mirror, and the pollen count rises, our collective brain starts pondering the age-old question: How do you properly thank your mother for all those years of feeding you, loving you, and picking up your pieces? Well, like every year, we’ve come to the same conclusion: You get her a sweet and thoughtful Mother’s Day gift! While she deserves the world, we’re guessing that’s pretty much out of your price range. That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 sweet and thoughtful gifts for less than $50. From must-have cookbooks and killer bottles of balsamic vinegar to wine chillers, tea infusers, and the cutest kitchen gadget in the game, there’s something for every Mom or mother figure out there. And, since you won’t be breaking the bank this holiday, that means you can pick up a nice card, too.

1 / 10
Amazon
$44.99
was $49.99

For the mom who loves to entertain or wine down with a glass or two, this cool gadget will help her turn a regular bottle into a sleek centerpiece — and it'll help keep her wine chilled during an al fresco dinner party.

2 / 10
Amazon
$18.10
was $35.00

The incomparable Ina Garten is one of America's most-trusted and beloved home cooks for a reason — her recipes are straightforward, fun, and (of course) delicious. If Mom doesn't have this cookbook on one of her kitchen shelves already, it's the perfect gift if she loves to cook.

3 / 10
Amazon
$14.95

Perfect for the tea-drinking mom who's always in a rush, this easy-to-use single-cup tea infuser is from one of our favorite ktichen brands, OXO, so you know it's high-quality and built to last. Mom can make a massive cup in the morning in a snap — she deserves it!

4 / 10
Amazon
$40.00

If your mom packs a lunch for herself, set her up in style with this gorgeous to-go bowl. The ceramic bowl features a protective silicone wrap, a rigid plastic lid, and a silicone strap that'll keep the whole thing buttoned up during transit. If she's not much for pink, know that the bowl also comes in Charcoal, Cream, Mint, and slate.

5 / 10
Great Jones
$35.00

These measuring cups are one of our editor's new favorite additions to his culinary arsenal. "Whenever I need a vessel to measure ingredients, transport water, or even use as a coffee mug when all the others are dirty, the Beyond Measure is there," he writes. "And, since they’re pretty enough to live on the counter, they’re always in arm’s reach." If Mom is in need of a simple tool that's sure to make her life in the kitchen easier, look no further. (Plus, you just can't go wrong with Great Jones.)

6 / 10
Fly by Jing
$34.50
was $46.00

Everyone — not only your mom — will love this sauce trio from editor- and reader-favorite online food purveyors Fly By Jing. You get the viral Sichuan Chili Crisp (hot spicy, crispy, and numbing); Zhong Sauce (sweet, tangy, spicy, and umami-rich); and the Mala Spice Mix (potent and herbal). They're all meticulously crafted in Chengdu and good on everything from noodles to ice cream.

7 / 10
Food52
$34.99
was $40.00

Chances are, your mom is still using the same mitts she had when you were in high school. (They're just not something we think to buy for ourselves.) Get her an upgrade that would earn two big thumbs up.

8 / 10
Food52
$44.99

You know the old adage: If Oprah loves it, it must be good. That goes double for this FinaMill Spice Grinder, which is one of Oprah's Favorite Things, and which one of our contributors called a "kitchen gadget that deserves a place of prominence on your holiday wish list." Run, don't walk, and add this to your Mother's Day shopping cart ASAP.

9 / 10
Brightland
$22.00

If Mom is a fan of balsamic vinegar, you need to snag this bottle from Brightland. "It’s the Rolls-Royce of balsamic vinegar," commerce managing editor Tamara Kraus writes. "It’s also made on a small, family-owned farm, so you know that a lot of love and care is put into every bottle — you can taste the difference. Trust me when I say it’s worth every penny. You won’t find me buying just any bottle of balsamic vinegar at the grocery store anymore."

10 / 10
Uncommon Goods
$25.00

Last — but absolutely not least — are what's quickly becoming our favorite nice-to-have kitchen accessory: Banana Hats! These seriously adorable caps live at the crown of your banana stalk and actually keep ripe bananas from turning brown sooner than you’d like them to. Their appearance alone will bring a smile to Mom's face and brighten up her kitchen.