If you can’t be with your mom this Mother’s Day, the next best thing is finding a gift meaningful enough to take your place. Something to enhance a convenient e-card or a classic flower delivery. The idea is to find a gift that lets mom know she’s always on your mind — not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. So with May 9 fast approaching, it’s time to go the extra mile to make up for the distance that separates you.
To really to get this right, you need a present that will spark emotion: think something tied to a memory, or something that will make her laugh. While we don’t know the inside jokes and stories that make your relationship unique, we do have some thoughtful gift ideas that will preserve those moments forever. We scoured the internet to find the best digital frames, personalized sweets, and sentimental decor items that we’re sure mom will love. Plus, we've got recommendations for products to make digital communication easier as well. So click through for all kinds goods to gift your long-distance mom this year.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Tin
Nothing brings people together like food. Help your mom preserve and share the family's most cherished recipes with this analogue recipe box, containing a set of recipe cards for old and new favorites alike.
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Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Tin, $, available at Rifle Paper CoLove Pop Lily Bloom Pop-Up Card
If you have a mom who protests gifts and "really only wants a card and phone call," then knock her socks off with that card! Love Pop pop-up cards are a work of art and you can add a personalized note and photo that will be sent directly to her for an additional $5.
Shop Love Pop Cards
Love Pop Lily Bloom 3D card, $, available at Love Pop
Lo & Sons Catalina Tote
This gift comes with an open invitation. Make sure your mom can travel in style when it's finally time to visit again with this durable, functional weekender made by... a mom! If you don't know about Lo & Sons, now's a great time to check out this sustainable, family-run travel bag company.
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catalina The Catalina Deluxe, $, available at Lo & Sons
Umbra Clothesline Photo Display
Skip the traditional photo frame and give mom a new way to display her favorite postcards, photos, and mementos. This clip board frame allows for more creative freedom and is suitable for a wall or tabletop.
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Umbra Clothesline Flip Photo Display, $, available at Amazon
Bedside Smartphone Vase
Having a long-distance mom means hours spent on FaceTime. Enhance the experience with this smartphone stand/vase hybrid to brighten up her bedside table.
Shop Uncommon Goods
Heather and Myles Geyman Bedside Smartphone Vase, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Hoya Heart Duo
Since you sent flowers last year (and the year before... and the year before that), change things up with an easy-care potted plant that'll last longer than your traditional bouquet. You can also add a message pop to make this gift feel particularly personal, even though it's been sent from afar.
Shop The Sill
The Sill Hoya Heart Duo, $, available at The Sill
The Bouqs Co. Mom-osa Bouquet
But hey — there's nothing wrong with going for flowers for the tenth year running if that's your mom's favorite. And with fun options like the "Mom-osa" arrangement, you can get creative with this year's take on tradition. There is no long-distance gift more classic than a bouquet, after all.
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The Bouqs Co Mom-osa Bouquet, $, available at The Bouqs Co
Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed
When you can't show your support in person, opt for the ultimate shoe to do it for you. Known for its legendary arch support, the Birkenstock sandal has long been celebrated as a comfortable-but-cool footwear style with a contoured footbed to help mom with balance and foot alignment. She'll also appreciate the #TBT element of this shoe.
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Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed, $, available at Zappos
Frog Hollow Fruit Of The Month Club
Treat your sweet mom to a monthly supply of the freshest in-season fruit. Shipments are sent every 4-6 weeks and come with three pounds(!) of produce, so she'll surely have some extra to share with friends and family.
Shop Food52
Frog Hollow Fruit of the Month Club, $, available at Food52
Milk Bar Cake Truffles
In addition to being colorful drops of deliciously flavored joy, these treats have a shelf life of a month in the freezer so your mom can enjoy them all Mother's Day month long.
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Milk Bar B'Day Truffle Dozen Box, $, available at Milk Bar
Love You Trinket Dish
What better way to let mom know that your love only grows the farther away you find yourself from home. This decorative trinket dish is a reminder of just that and is great for her bedside table or bathroom countertop.
Shop Ceraminic
Ceraminic Ceramic Love You Ring Dish, $, available at Etsy
Homesick Thank You, Mom Candle
Even if you no longer live together, let mom know how grateful you are for all the ways she turned your childhood house into a home.
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Homesick Candles Thank You, Mom Candle, $, available at Homesick CandlesBrownie Points Brownies
If you can't be there in person to take her out for a treat, score extra brownie points with well, brownies. Made by a local Columbus, Ohio bakery and shipped by Goldbelly, she'll know exactly who these are for when the mystery box reaches her doorstep.
Shop Brownie Points
Brownie Points Baby Brownies Sweet Sixteen Gift Box, $, available at Goldbelly
For Mom Mug
Your Zoom coffee dates are about to get a lot more cheerful. Inject bright pops of color into her daily caffeine routine with this fun and quirky mug.
Shop Anthropologie
Mr. Boddington's Studio For Mom Mug, $, available at Anthropologie
Mini Shea Cream
You don't need to be next to your mom to know she's amped up the handwashing these past few weeks. This ultra-rich shea butter hand cream will ensure her skin stays moisturized, too.
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Karité Shea Butter Mini Shea Cream, $, available at BLK + GRN
Miami Beach Beach Towel
For an instant good mood, just add sun. This oversized beach towel will give mom plenty of room to lay out, whether that's actually at the beach, in the yard, or simply just as a state of mind.
Shop Society6
Society6 Miami Beach Beach Towel, $, available at Paul Fuentes Photo
J.Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap
This cashmere knit is so cozy, it's like wearing a hug. You can even personalize this gift with a monogram to take it to make it all the more special.
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J.Crew Oversized cashmere wrap, $, available at J. Crew
Brooklinen Linen Robe
Give mom the gift of cozy with this breathable, linen robe that feels like second skin.
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Brooklinen Linen Robe, $, available at Brooklinen
Aura Digital Picture Frame
While there are plenty of digital frames out there, this sophisticated option from Aura is one of our favorites. Mom can add as many photos as she'd like and invite others to share more to her frame from anywhere in the world.
Shop Aura
Aura Carver Smart Digital Picture Frame, $, available at Amazon
Felizia Wrap Friendship Bracelets
What is a mom if not your forever BFF? This personalized bracelet is like a stylish declaration of that friendship that you both can wear every day. (Don't forget to get one for yourself!)
Shop BaubleBar
BaubleBar Felizia Personalized Wrap Bracelet, $, available at BaubleBar
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Care Kit
Treat mom to ultimate luxury that she would never, ever spend on herself: an exquisite set of geranium shower gel and body lotion.
Shop Aesop
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Care Kit (Duet), $, available at Verishop
Made By Mary Mama Bear Disc Necklace
Show her how proud you are to call her mom with this charming necklace. It's the perfect token of appreciation for the woman who doesn’t settle for anything less than full hearts.
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Made By Mary Mama Bear Disc Necklace- 5/8", $, available at Made By Mary
ReFa Carat Body Massage Roller
If your mom's love language is touch, she definitely misses having you around for that much-needed hug or neck rub at the end of a long day. For the times you're not there to help, consider gifting her this massage roller that feels great and helps visibly firm, tone, and contour tired, puffy skin on the face and body.
Shop ReFa
ReFa ReFa CARAT, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
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