Mother’s Day gift ideas 2023: last-minute gifts to buy for mum
Easy shopping with no-delivery gift ideas, plus plenty of tech prezzie recommendations
This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 14, which means you have less than a week to find the special woman in your life the perfect gift. To help you in your search, we’ve rounded up 22 Mother’s Day gift ideas to suit a variety of budgets. Everything in our list is a little techy, but your mum doesn’t need to be a tech aficionado to appreciate them.
Along with our best gift ideas this year, we’ve also got some last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas. All these presents don’t need to be shipped, because they’re ideas such as streaming subscriptions, gift cards and unique experiences that you can enjoy at any time of year. Please note though, some of our last-minute gift ideas are only available in Australia.
Mother’s Day gift ideas
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Mother’s Day gift ideas: quick links
Here’s a quick look at which Australian retailers have curated products specifically for Mother’s Day:
- Adore Beauty: skincare, makeup, fragrances and bath and body gift sets
- Amazon: everything from books, fitness wearables, appliances and more
- Big W: shop fitness and wellness, home appliances and home decor
- Booktopia: books, ereaders, board games, puzzles and stationery
- Chemist Warehouse: deals on skincare, makeup, fragrances and more
- Dyson: Mother’s Day hair straightener and blow dryer gift sets
- Emma Mattress: score 50% off the Emma Comfort Mattress
- JB Hi-Fi: shop robot vacuums, headphones, tablets, ereaders and stacks more
- KitchenAid: up to 20% off selected stand mixers, blenders and more
- Myer: shop handbags, watches, fragrances, sleepwear and much more
- Rebel: shop fitness wearables, massage guns, gym gear and more
- Sephora: spoil mum with skincare, haircare and makeup gifts
- The Good Guys: coffee machines, air fryers, health and wellness products
- The Iconic: shop clothing, sleepwear, handbags, wallets, watches and more
Last-minute gift ideas
Disney Plus
Looking for a last-minute gift that everyone in the family will love? We think a subscription to Disney Plus is a good shout. It comes with a solid selection from Disney’s vault, along with Pixar films, Marvel’s catalogue, films and TV shows from the Star Wars universe and some National Geographic documentaries.
Even if your mum’s interests lie outside of these niches, Disney Plus still has a lot to offer the more mature viewer, with shows from the Star television network.
You’ll find Oscar-nominated films such as The Banshees of Inisherin on the service, as well as critically acclaimed TV series including Abbott Elementary and The Bear. There’s also classic shows like Arrested Development, Grey’s Anatomy and Modern Family to jump into.
Read our full Disney Plus review
HelloFresh
It’s the question every parent faces potentially hundreds of times over – “what’s for dinner tonight?” If your mum wants to take some of that guesswork out of dinnertime, a subscription to a meal delivery kit could be just the thing she needs, and HelloFresh is one of the biggest names in the business.
In their HelloFresh Australia review, our colleagues at Tom’s Guide were fans of its simple delivery system and weekly menu suitable for different dietary goals. They found that HelloFresh’s prep time estimates were not always accurate, but time taken will mainly come down to your level of skill in the kitchen.
HelloFresh offers various subscription plans catering to either two, four or six people, with between three to five recipes provided each week, depending on your needs. All told, HelloFresh can help save your mum time in the supermarket, and can be a more affordable option than your typical takeaway.
• Sign up to HelloFresh in Australia
• Sign up to HelloFresh in New Zealand
Audible
Listen up – if your mum doesn’t have enough time on her hands to sit down with a book, an audiobook is a fantastic alternative. An Audible subscription will get her access to a treasure trove of audiobooks, including tons of Audible Originals.
She’ll be able to listen to Audible anywhere – whether she’s driving the car, relaxing at home or out and about, as she just needs to download the app on her phone or listen via the website. A subscription costs AU$16.45 / NZ$16.45 a month, but you can also take advantage of a free 30-day trail to see if she will like it.
Red Balloon
If your mum’s not one for physical gifts, a shared experience is something she’ll truly appreciate. Red Balloon is a one-stop-shop for finding unique experiences, with relaxing spa packages, whale watching cruises, cooking classes and more all available on the website. They’re all something you and your mum can enjoy together, and isn’t that what Mother’s Day is all about?
Red Balloon Australia is currently offering up to 25% off selected experiences in its Mother’s Day sale, but unfortunately Kiwis haven’t got access to the same deals. Still, it’s worthwhile having a look at Red Balloon NZ if you want to treat your mum to an adrenaline-pumping jet boat ride, or a more chilled-out hot air balloon ride this Mother’s Day.
• Buy a gift from Red Balloon Australia
• Buy a gift from Red Balloon New Zealand
Amazon gift cards
For the mum who loves to shop for themselves, we think an Amazon gift card could be just the thing. Amazon’s gift cards have the added benefit of never expiring, unlike most other gift cards we’ve come across which often only last one to three years. You can opt for a gift card sent straight to her inbox, print one at home or get a physical one if you’d rather slip it into a card.
• See all Amazon gift cards available here.
Gifts under AU$100
Nanoleaf Essentials smart bulb
Nanoleaf is the maker behind excellent smart lights, known for panels that light up your walls (and ceilings). But the company also has the basics, with the Essential bulb a good place to start if mum has been curious about discovering the joys and foibles of a smart home. The Nanoleaf Essentials smart light bulb supports up to 16 millions colours and hues, so it can set the mood for any occasion, and comes in both Edison screw and Bayonet fittings (so make sure you get mum the correct version). Better yet, the Nanoleaf Essentials bulb is a lot cheaper than its competition.
Nanoleaf gives you the option of purchasing its latest version of the smart bulb, which is compatible with the Matter smart home connectivity standard that aims to simplify how different smart devices hook up to each other. If you’re starting off with a single smart light to see if a smart home setup is for you, opting for a Matter-enabled bulb is a good way to future-proof your smart home. While we haven’t yet tested this new version, the older Nanoleaf A19 model (also called A60 in some regions) that we have reviewed is still available to buy and is recommended for those who use Apple devices as they work best with HomeKit.
Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker
If your mum can be forgetful, a Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker could be just the thing she didn’t know she needed. These neat little devices will help you reunite with misplaced or lost belongings. All you need to do is attach it to your keys, your bag or any other valuable item.
What we really like about the Tile Mate tracker is that it can be used with both iOS and Android phones, so you’re not locked in with a specific brand like you are with the Apple AirTag. The Tile Mate makes for an affordable Mother’s Day gift too as it has a starting price of AU$39.95 / NZ$49.99 at full RRP, but it can sometimes be found on sale as well.
Read our full Tile Mate (2022) review
Chromecast with Google TV
Mum doesn’t have a smart TV? Don’t worry, there’s an easy way for her to access all the best streaming services, and it thankfully doesn’t require forking out hundreds of dollars to upgrade from her current telly.
The Chromecast with Google TV is a cheap, easy-to-use streaming device that plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port. From there, you’ll be able to access an interface that puts Netflix, Stan, Apple TV Plus and even the app of its biggest competitor, Amazon Prime Video, right on the TV’s screen – just note, you’ll need a subscription to actually watch any of these services.
The HD version of the Chromecast is available for AU$59 / NZ$69, or you can get the stick supporting 4K HDR quality for AU$99 / NZ$110. Keep in mind you’ll need a TV which can support 4K content to take full advantage of the more expensive device.
Read our full Chromecast with Google TV review
Sunbeam Pie Magic
The Sunbeam Pie Magic can help your mum master the art of making the ultimate meat pie. It’s received glowing user feedback on sites such as ProductReview, and it can cook up to four pies in 10 minutes, easily feeding a family.
There’s more than just beef meat pies on the menu, of course – you can use this appliance to fill your pie pastry with chicken, pork, seafood or vegetables, or make delicious desserts like apple pie.
Lego Wildflower Bouquet
Lego’s not just for kids – there’s also tons of sets for adults, and we think the Wildflower Bouquet in particular makes for a beautiful Mother’s Day gift. This gorgeous bundle of Lego flowers will never wilt, so they can be proudly displayed at home or at mum’s workplace year round.
If you’d like something other than a flower arrangement, there’s also a Dried Flower Centrepiece and Lego pots of Succulents that you can build together, and can be found for under AU$100 / NZ$100.
Google Nest Mini
Is your mum looking to dip her toes into the world of smart home tech? Google Assistant is the best voice assistant for Aussie mums in our opinion, and what better way to test it out than with the affordable Google Nest Mini. It’s an entry-level smart speaker that you can use to create a shopping, set reminders and timers, listen to music and podcasts on Spotify, and generally ask any questions you can think of, like what the weather will be like today.
Our own experience has found that the Google Nest Mini’s small speaker has good clarity in the mid-range that’s perfect for speech, but it’s not very musical, especially in the high or bass ranges. With that said, Google Assistant is clearly the killer feature and its ability to tap into other smart devices is second to none.
Read our full Google Nest Mini review
Gifts under AU$300
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best ereaders out there. It fits a nice middle ground, with a large and clear 6.8-inch display, a long battery life and an ergonomic design, all for a reasonable price of AU$249 / NZ$279. Plus with an IPX8 waterproof rating, mum can enjoy reading while lounging by the pool or in the tub without a worry.
One of its drawbacks is that you’ll be limited to buying ebooks from Amazon’s store, but if that’s not a dealbreaker for you, the Kindle Paperwhite is hard to beat. You can also pay for a subscription to either Kindle Unlimited and Audible to pair with the Kindle Paperwhite, so mum can get easy access to a huge variety of ebooks and audiobooks.
Read our full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review
Cricut Joy
The Cricut Joy is a small and sweet-looking craft machine that anyone can use, but it’ll be an especially good gift if your mum already loves to DIY. For such a compact machine, we were quite surprised at just how much it can do when we spent some hands-on time with it – think custom cards, personalised labels and decals. It’s an easy point of entry to the world of crafting if you're new to it and, if mum loves it, there’s a ton of accessories she can add on.
Read our full Cricut Joy review
Philips GoZero Smart UV water bottle
We should all be doing our bit to help reduce plastic waste, and getting a reusable water bottle is an easy place to start. But as the name suggests, the Philips GoZero Smart is no ordinary water bottle. It uses UV-C LED light to keep water fresh and the bottle clean, so it shouldn’t get smelly like some reusable water bottles tend to do.
Philips promises the tech can eliminate up to 99.999% of bacteria from the water bottle, and it can be used as a water purification device. That makes it a nice companion if your mum likes to hike, or just travels a lot and wants the peace of mind of clean drinking water.
Sonos Roam
Your mum deserves the best Bluetooth speaker money can buy, and that’s the Sonos Roam. It has top-notch sound quality, with enough bass to be excellent for outdoor use, while a clever feature can seamlessly switch it over for easy listening indoors.
While the Sonos Roam isn’t quite audiophile quality, it’s great for a speaker of this size, making it a great option if your mum loves to entertain. She won’t have to worry about it getting knocked about at a party either – it has a rugged design, and is waterproof and dustproof up to the IP67 standard, meaning it can withstand a dip in the pool.
Read our full Sonos Roam review
Ember Smart Mug 2
It might look like a standard coffee cup, but the Ember Smart Mug 2 keeps hot beverages at just the right temperature – between 50°C and 62.5°C – making for the perfect sip every time. It’s a ceramic-coated mug, but a single charge will keep a cuppa at a chosen temperature for an hour and a half, or if left on its charging coaster, will keep warm all day. Everything is controlled through the app, and when it’s time to wash up, the Ember Mug is safe to hand-wash only. It's available in two different sizes – 284ml and 414ml, in a variety of colours.
Coravin Pivot
A great gift for wine lovers, the Coravin Pivot is a nifty gadget that’ll keep mum's bottle of wine tasting fresh weeks after opening. It’s a special bottle topper that can extend the life of your wine, and while Coravin says the device will preserve your drop for up to four weeks, one of our colleagues at T3 found their vino lasting for up to three – which is still quite impressive. It’s an especially good present for those who enjoy a glass or two every now and then, so they’ll be able to enjoy a full bottle rather than pouring it down the drain after a day or two.
Gifts under AU$500
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL (HD9650/93)
Air fryers aren’t just for cooking fries and whole chickens, though this XXL model from Philips can certainly do both. There’s some surprising foods you can cook in an air fryer, including doughnuts, cinnamon rolls and grilled cheese sandwiches, so this appliance is no one-trick pony.
We haven’t reviewed this exact model of the Philips Premium Airfryer, but we have spent time with similar models and came away thoroughly impressed. This XXL version has a 1.4kg capacity, and Philips says it captures excess fat while you cook. We also like that the removable parts are dishwasher-safe, so it’s easy to clean.
• If you buy anywhere prior to May 14, you can also take advantage of Philips’ cashback offer.
Therabody Theragun Prime
Whether your mum’s a keen runner who needs help with muscle recovery, or she spends her work days tied to a computer, a massage gun is a nice way to relieve her aches and pains. The Theragun Prime comes with four different massage heads, with attachments for overall use, targeting specific areas or for pinpoint muscle treatment.
While the Theragun Prime is perfectly fine to be used on its own, we’d recommend also downloading the Therabody app. It’s excellent for offering guidance on how to make the most of the Theragun Prime’s power with real-time feedback.
Read our full Therabody Theragun Prime review
Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch
Many of the best smartwatches on the market have a distinctly digital look, but what if your mum wants a more classic-looking timepiece? The Fossil Gen 6 fills that gap, combining a sleek design and an AMOLED display with a traditional round watch face and choice of straps (think leather and stainless steel).
In our review of the Fossil Gen 6, we did find that it had a short battery life of barely a day if you want to use the always-on display. If you switch off this feature and extend the periodic heart rate check to the maximum interval (every 15 minutes), then you’ll get just over a day. We were happy to find it charges quickly though, so you can go from a zero juice to a full battery in under an hour. Best of all, it pairs easily with both iPhones and Android handsets.
Read our full Fossil Gen 6 review
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
Treat your mum to some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy – the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. These buds come with best-in-class noise cancellation, so she can block out distractions and listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks in blissful peace.
These earbuds have beautiful sound quality too, and when we tested them ourselves, we found that vocals never got drowned out by the instruments, and each element could hold its own whether listening to pop, rock or the blues. They’ve got a smaller, more comfortable design compared to Bose’s older model, so what’s not to like?
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review
Also consider...
Dyson Airwrap styler
Really want to spoil your mum? The coveted Dyson Airwrap styler is the ideal gift for a woman who loves her tresses. The Airwrap styler can create healthy-looking curls, soft waves and bouncy blow drys, all without using extreme heat.
Our review found it works well on straight to wavy hair of long to medium length, but you may not get the results you’re after if you’ve got short or tightly curled hair.
There’s no doubt this is an expensive hair styler at AU$949 / NZ$999, but it can be found on sale at some retailers, or with a bonus gift included if you buy directly from Dyson.
Read our full Dyson Airwrap styler review
When is Mother’s Day 2023?
Mother’s Day in Australia and New Zealand is traditionally observed on the second Sunday of May each year, and this year it’s on May 14, 2023.
It’s a day to celebrate the women who look after us, be they our own mothers, stepmothers, guardians or caregivers. It’s a chance to make the women in your life feel extra special, whether it be a card, a day out, or with a thoughtful gift.
If you’re planning on shopping online, we’ve got some excellent Mother’s Day gift ideas right here. Just keep in mind you’ll need to have it ordered and shipped in time for May 14.
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Jasmine Gearie is an Ecommerce Editor at TechRadar Australia, with a primary focus on helping readers cut through the jargon to find the best mobile and internet plans for their needs. She crunches the numbers to maintain dedicated guides to the latest phones, NBN and broadband plans of all types, and covers the important telco industry news. She also hunts down tech deals on laptops, phones, gaming consoles and more, so readers know where to buy the products they want for the cheapest prices.