21 Gifts for Someone Grieving Their Mom This Mother's Day

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Someone Grieving the Loss of Their Mom

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Mother’s Day can be a beautiful celebration, but for many, it’s also a day marked by grief and quiet heartbreak. Whether your mother has passed, you're estranged, or you’re navigating a complicated relationship, this holiday can stir up waves of emotion that are hard to put into words. While the world is busy with brunch reservations and flower deliveries, you might be just trying to get through the day without falling apart.

Grief doesn’t follow a schedule or take holidays off. Whether your loss is fresh or years in the making, this time of year can bring a sharp ache and a longing to feel close to her again.

As a licensed therapist, I’ve sat with countless clients in the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day. Some question why they feel “off,” while others brace themselves for a holiday that reopens old wounds. That’s the thing about grief — it shows up whether we expect it or not.

You may have a loved one navigating Mother’s Day for the first time without their mom or a friend who tears up at grocery store flower displays even years later. If you're looking for a gentle way to support someone who’s grieving, this curated list of therapist-recommended gifts is a place to start.

Lumeloom Scented Soy Wax Candle — Sympathy Gifts for Loss of Loved Ones

$13.99 at Amazon
$15.92Now 12% Off
Grief can feel overwhelming, but small gestures can offer comfort when they’re meaningful. The Lumeloom Scented Soy Wax Candle is hand-poured with 100 percent natural soy wax and features a soothing lavender scent, creating a peaceful space to reflect and remember. Packaged in a beautiful gift box with an uplifting sympathy message, it’s a thoughtful way to show love to someone navigating loss. Its long burn time allows the memory it honors to linger a little longer.
Motherless Daughters book by Hope Edelman

Motherless Daughters, by Hope Edelman

Losing a mother leaves a lasting imprint. Drawing from interviews with hundreds of women, Hope Edelman explores how mother loss shapes identity, relationships, and the way one moves about the world. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans experience the death of a parent by age 40, yet the grief can feel isolating.

 Motherless Daughters offers connection where silence often lingers, making it a thoughtful gift for anyone navigating life after losing their mother. Perfect for daughters of any age, this book includes 400 pages of compassionate insight.
Fuck death book by Steve Case

Hardcore Grief Recovery, by Steve Case

Why navigate grief alone when you can have a no-nonsense guide by your side? Hardcore Grief Recovery by Steve Case offers raw, honest support for those walking through the hardest parts of loss. From practical tools and personal reflections to short exercises with zero sugarcoating, this book meets anyone where they are. It’s not about fixing grief; it’s about surviving it with truth, humor, and heart. Think of it as a tough-loving friend who gets what you’re going through.

Talkspace

Talkspace

When grief feels all-consuming, having access to professional emotional support can make a world of difference. Talkspace connects users with licensed therapists through messaging, video, or phone sessions — all from the comfort of home. Its subscription-based pricing and wide variety of therapists allows anyone to find the right fit for them as they navigate the uncertainty of grief and loss.

The Dinner Party

Grief can feel isolating, but finding a community that understands makes a difference. The Dinner Party connects people in their twenties, thirties, and early forties who have experienced significant loss. The peer-led groups foster real conversations and lasting friendships, creating a place to share their story without judgment.

Nature’s Truth Lavender Essential Oil Roll-On

$15.23 at Amazon
Soothe the ache with a simple ritual of comfort. The Nature’s Truth Lavender Essential Oil Roll-On creates a gentle, grounding way to care for their nervous system when emotions run high. Lavender has been shown to reduce anxiety and support deeper sleep, two essentials for anyone carrying the weight of loss.

 This ready-to-use roll-on makes it easy to create moments of calm anytime — no diffuser needed.

Seed Bloom Plantable Seed Paper, 48 pieces

$20.04 at Amazon
$21.10Now 5% Off

Imagine having a moment of peace and remembrance that grows with time. The Seed Bloom Plantable Seed Paper allows anyone to create a living tribute to a loved one, turning grief into growth. These heart-shaped and butterfly-shaped seed papers are embedded with wildflower seeds. As they bloom, they can symbolize hope and renewal with nature’s healing touch. It’s a perfect way to honor someone’s loss without words.

Memorial Wind Chimes

$14.59 at Walmart
$16.39Now 11% Off
Stop searching, you’ve found it: The perfect way to honor a loved one while filling your space with peace. These memorial wind chimes create a melodic tribute that keeps their memory alive. With six deep-toned, precision-tuned chimes, these beautiful sounds are created with each soothing breeze. Connecting with nature improves sleep, memory, attention, and symptoms of stress.

Whether placed in a garden or on a porch, the delicate design of dandelions and butterflies creates a beautiful visual and auditory reminder that the ones we love are never truly gone.

Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief

$8.57 at Amazon
$18.99Now 55% Off
Grief has no roadmap, but sometimes a few words a day can help you keep moving. These short, daily meditations gently speak to sorrow and hope. Journaling can help reduce anxiety symptoms after a loss, including in cases of complicated grief, such as losing a loved one to addiction.

 No pressure to read cover to cover. Instead, they can take it one page, one breath, one step at a time.

The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion

$7.94 at Amazon
$18Now 56% Off
In The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion opens a window into her personal experience of the raw emotional journey she faced after the sudden death of her husband and the critical illness of her daughter. This memoir doesn’t shy away from the difficult questions, the disbelief, or the surreal moments of mourning. Instead, it offers a powerful narrative that allows readers to feel seen and understood in their own experiences with grief. This book is a must-have for anyone experiencing the depths of loss.
10 pound dumbell set in black

Sunny Health & Fitness Neoprene 10 lb Dumbbell Set

Grief has a way of pausing life and reshaping our priorities, especially around Mother’s Day, a time that can amplify the ache of loss. After a loss, many find themselves reassessing their health, routines, and values. A 10-pound neoprene dumbbell set provides a way for anyone to use physical movement to their advantage. Whether used for stress relief or strength-building, this gift is an affordable opportunity for someone to prioritize their health in a heavy season.

Yoga mat with carry strap

Manduka The Commuter Yoga Bag

If you’re looking for a gentler nudge, this minimalist yoga mat carrier is a reminder to return to movement without pressure. Its simple design and comfortable strap allow anyone to prioritize mindfulness. Grief often makes everyday tasks feel heavier. Even small routines, like going to a yoga class or stretching at home, can become sacred spaces for release and reflection. Research shows that mindfulness practices can reduce symptoms of grief and depression.

 Healing can start with small steps, even in five minutes of deep breathing.

Dearfoams Women’s Fireside Cairns Sherling Sandal Slipper

$28.17 at Amazon

The Dearfoams Women's Fireside Cairns Shearling Slide Sandal Slipper supplies warmth and softness when the world feels heavy. With a plush shearling lining and effortless slip-on design, a moment of self-care has never been easier to access. Available in four stylish colors, these slippers blend relaxation with a personal touch, offering a small but meaningful way to cope during a season of loss.

blackened shrimp salad from everyplate

EveryPlate

Grief has a way of stealing your appetite and your energy. Even thinking about what to make for dinner can feel like too much. EveryPlate takes that weight off with no-fuss, budget-friendly meals that show up at the door ready to be made with minimal effort. Preportioned ingredients and simple recipes create an easy, nearly mindless mealtime. There’s no need to stare blankly into the fridge wondering what goes together. Because sometimes, the kindest thing you can offer someone in grief is one less decision to make.

Lovepop Orchid Bouquet

$19 at Amazon
When words fall short, beauty can speak for you. The Lovepop Orchid Bouquet is a delicate gesture — one that doesn’t wilt or fade. Crafted from intricate paper, it’s designed to pop up with surprise and elegance. For someone grieving their mom on Mother’s Day, it’s more than a card and more than flowers. No watering, no cleanup: just a visual reminder that quietly says, “I see you. I’m with you.”
artifcial boxwood wreath

21" Boxwood Artificial Wreath

Household plants may not be the best choice to gift someone in the depths of grief. Designed for indoor use, this ready-to-hang wreath adds a touch of serenity to any room without the extra maintenance. With its lush green leaves and simple circular design, an artificial wreath symbolizes the cycle of life. The boxwood leaves appear to flourish throughout the seasons, honoring grief throughout the year.

Wood pocket watch

Engraved Wooden Pocket Watch for Men

As your loved one navigates the quiet moments of grief, finding ways to keep their mother close can be a comfort. Ideal for those who want a constant reminder of a loved one, this engravable wooden pocket watch is a meaningful keepsake to take into daily life. The timeless design meshes well with the personalized engraving, whether you choose her signature, a heartfelt note from a birthday card, or a phrase she always said.
A teddy bear made from clothing

Remembrance Teddy Bear Made From Clothing

Just a soft, huggable bear to help hold onto her memory, one cuddle at a time. A memory bear made from her favorite clothes transforms fabric into a physical reminder of the love shared. Choose a shirt she wore often or a dress she loved to help your loved one feel connected to their mom through this keepsake. Simple customized memorial gifts have been shown to be helpful in the healing journey.

 Plus, you can personalize it with embroidered options like her name or a special poem, making it even more meaningful.
Journal set

CR Gibson Ruled Journal

Just because she’s gone doesn’t mean you’ve run out of things to say. This no-frills ruled journal can become a quiet space for someone to keep writing to their mom. Letters might be full of memories, updates, questions, or the words that never made it out in time. It’s the kind of grief ritual that doesn’t need to be perfect, just honest. Whether it's tucked by the bed or carried in a bag for those heavy days, it's a way to make meaning out of this experience. In fact, research shows letter writing can help people process grief and find emotional relief.

Muzlife White Wood Shadow Box With Linen Back

$11.99 at Walmart
$13.59Now 12% Off

Looking for a way to hold onto memories without feeling burdened? This Muzlife White Wood Shadow Box is the perfect gift for anyone wanting to create a personal tribute to their mom. Whether it’s a favorite photo, a piece of jewelry, or a handwritten note, this shadow box lets you keep those precious mementos front and center. It’s like creating a memory wall but way more intimate and way less cluttered. The weight of grief might be more aesthetically pleasing if it has a linen back.

Doctors Preferred High Potency Magnesium Glycinate, 60 ct

Wanting to support both body and soul without adding another task on your to-do list? Sometimes self-care starts from the inside out. Enter: magnesium glycinate, a highly absorbable form of magnesium. While grief may impact someone’s sleep, magnesium promotes relaxation by regulating one’s nervous system.

It’s a quiet hug for the body in the midst of life’s hardest moments.

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Riley Blanton, MS, LMFT, PMH-C

Author

Riley Blanton, MS, LMFT, PMH-C, is a clinician specializing in reproductive mental health care in Wichita, Kansas, and an experienced freelance health writer. Her articles have covered topics such as mental health, pregnancy, perinatal and postpartum health, abortion care, the foster care system and adoption, women's health, and the care of children with disabilities. Her work has been published in Health, Parents, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Health.

Riley served as the communications director for the Kansas State Chapter of Postpartum Support International, an organization that aims to promote the awareness, education, prevention, and treatment of perinatal mental health issues affecting parents, families, and caregivers and she remains a member of this organization. She is also the founder of the research-based website Postpartum Brain and a private practice, Holding New Therapy, that specializes in perinatal mental health.

She received a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Friends University, where her thesis focused on the relationship stressors that can arise with child-bearing couples. She also received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Old Dominion University.

In her free time, Riley enjoys reading voraciously, baking with rambunctious toddlers, and writing poetry.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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