53 thoughtful holiday gifts for Mom that won't cost more than $50

When it comes to the holidays, Mom deserves to be treated to a nice gift.
You don't have to spend a lot to make your mom feel special. Check out our list of 53 gift ideas for Mom under $50, including a Book of the Month subscription, a nostalgia-inducing Homesick candle, and a classic frame that you can fill with a sweet picture of you two together.
Check out all of our 2019 holiday gift guides for even more gifting inspiration.

She's your confidante, rock, mentor, and built-in best friend. She's been there through it all, and now she deserves something really special. Yet, Mom can be one of the hardest people to shop for on your list. After all, what do you give someone who literally gave you life?

The good news is that the perfect gift for your mom is out there, and it doesn't have to be expensive to make her smile. When it comes to gifts for mom, whether you want to go with something big or small, thoughtfulness is key. That's why we scoured the web and collected 50 really special gifts that show your mom you care, all under $50.

Pick a gift that embraces nostalgia, her favorite hobbies, or some quality time with you — whatever you give, Mom will love it.

The top 5 best gifts under $50 for Mom:

Keep reading for 53 gifts under $50 that Mom will love:

Refreshing and decadent bubble bath

L'Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath, $39, available at Sephora

A little luxury goes a long way. Aid your mom in getting some true relaxation with this rich bubble bath made with fresh, calming lavender.

A book subscription service for an exciting new read every month

Book of the Month Membership, starting at $49.99 for 3 months

If she's always asking you for new book recommendations, she's going to love this service that curates great books and sends them to subscribers once a month. Each monthly delivery will be an exciting surprise as she discovers a new read she might not have found otherwise. Our editor tried the service herself and loved it.

A fancy bottle of olive oil

Alive Olive Oil, available at Brightland, $37

A bottle of high-quality olive oil is the perfect gift for any mom who enjoys cooking, or just eating great food. Alive from Brightland adds a vibrant, zesty flavor to any dish, and she'll appreciate the beautiful bottle.

A Disney+ subscription

Subscribe to Disney+, $6.99/month, available at Disney+

Give Mom unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox. She'll have more than enough great content for some holiday movie marathons.

Learn everything there is to know about Disney+ over here. And if you need some binge-spiration, here are all the new movies available to stream.

A set of best-selling lip balms

Fresh Sugar Lip Legends Gift Set, available at Sephora, $42 (originally $48) [You save $6]

Help Mom banish dry, chapped winter lips. This set includes six of Fresh's popular tinted lip balms and one advanced-therapy lip treatment. They're even lightly tinted to give her some natural color.

An indulgent box of gourmet, handmade chocolates

Gourmet Peanut and Nut Butter Cups, $38, available at Uncommon Goods

Give mom her chocolate and peanut butter fix with some candy you can't buy at the drugstore. This box is filled with 16 handmade, gourmet chocolate and nut butter cups, each one a different unique flavor combination.

A carry-on cocktail kit that’ll make long flights a little better

Margarita Carry-On Cocktail Kit, $24, available at Uncommon Goods

Just add tequila. Mom will love this little kit that lets her make her favorite cocktail quickly and easily while in the air. This gift will be especially appreciated when given right in time for a family vacation.

A practical and chic multipurpose pouch

Small Metro Pouch, available at MZ Wallace, $35

A bag that multitasks as well as she does makes for a great gift. This pouch will keep her little things organized during the day but pull double-duty as a clutch come nighttime.

A sampling of coffee from all around the world

World Explorer's Coffee Sampler, $32, available at Uncommon Goods

Perfect for the lady that knows there's more to a cup of coffee than caffeine. You might not be able to buy her a flight so she can sip in coffee shops around the globe, but you can buy her this pack of globally sourced blends, which might be the next best thing.

A simple case to keep her important cards safe

The Signature Card Case, $35, available at Dagne Dover

This card case is small enough to fit in her pocket, but big enough to house her most important cards and some cash. It's extremely practical and the minimalist style will go well with everything she already owns.

A smart speaker she’ll get a kick out of talking to

Echo Dot (3rd gen), $22, available at Amazon

Whether she's a setup wizard or completely inept at tech, mom will love this smart speaker that she can control with her own voice.

A high-end manicure she can give herself

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish, starting at $18.50, available at Amazon

One gel manicure costs a lot more than this duo set, which gives her one colored nail polish and a gel top coat. Bonus points if you use this to have a girls' night together, manicures included.

A T-shirt that shows off her values

The 100% Human Box-Cut Tee, $22, available at Everlane

Give mom a shirt she can feel good about wearing. When you buy this tee, Everlane will donate $5 to Equality Now — an organization promoting equal rights for women around the world.

A heart-shaped succulent

Hoya Heart Plant, available at The Sill, $21

Bring some life to their space with this adorable heart-shaped succulent. With little attention needed, it's a great gift for amateur plant parents and experienced ones alike.

A silk eye mask for when she really needs some sleep

Silk Sleep Eye Mask, $50, available at Sephora

Mom seriously deserves some quality sleep. Make it a little easier for her to get it with this comfortable, silky smooth eye mask.

A cover to make her tech look a little nicer

Fintie iPad Case, $15.99, available at Amazon

If she loves using her iPad, this case will keep it protected — and it looks a little more interesting than the plain metal device. Plus, this case functions as a stand, so she can keep her tablet upright when necessary.

A map that reminds her of her favorite place

Custom Map, starting at $49, available at Grafomap

Some things just breed nostalgia. Grafomap will make a custom map of a location of your choice — you can even add personalized labels. Choose the place she grew up, a place where you have fond memories together, or a family favorite vacation spot. It's a great piece of home decor that means something to her, too.

Textured planters that she can fill with her favorite plants

3-Piece White Loom Planter Set, $14.95, available at CB2

After all those years taking care of you, caring for her plants is nothing. These planters, which can stay indoors or outdoors, are a pretty and practical way to hold some greenery.

A set of soaps that smell like a bouquet of fresh flowers

Box of Flowers Soaps, $28, available at Uncommon Goods

There's something so wonderful about the smell of fresh flowers. That mood-lifting smell, combined with all-natural, soothing ingredients, make these soaps a unique and welcomed addition to her bathroom.

A framed photo she’ll always cherish

The Aiden Frame, $39, available at Framebridge

Nothing can compare to a gift that she can keep hung up forever as a reminder of the great memories you've shared together — that's what makes this framed photo so special.

A tea set that lets her create her perfect blend

Green Herbal Tea Kit, $40, available at Uncommon Goods

If she loves tea, she'll love this set that lets her mix and match different loose-leaf teas to create a unique blend just for her.

A candle that smells like her favorite place

Homesick Candles, $29.95, available at Amazon

Take her back to her favorite place with these nostalgia-inducing candles. Whether it's the scents of fall in New York like pumpkins, apple orchards, and nutmeg, or the salty seaweed, morning coffee, and ocean air of the beach cottage she frequented as a child — these Homesick candles are sure to bring back fond memories.

A cookbook from a home cook icon

"Cook Like a Pro" by Ina Garten, $15.64, available at Amazon

Ina Garten, the icon of home cooks everywhere, just released a new cookbook — and you know your mom will want to add this one to her shelf. With new recipes and techniques, you might even get to benefit from what she learns with a delicious meal.

A set of wines she’s probably never tried before

Italian Wine Gift Set, $39.99, available at Wine.com

If she loves to try new wines, make it easy with this trio of three Italian varietals. It's no trip to Tuscany, but it still tastes pretty darn good.

A personalized T-shirt she’ll love to show off

Personalized Women's Fitted Crew, $42, available at Known Supply

Mom, Mommy, Mama — whatever you call her, make it official with this personalized crew-neck T-shirt.

A vintage-looking indoor herb garden

Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden, $20, available at Uncommon Goods

These mason jar make growing fresh herbs easy. All she has to do is plant the seeds, add water, place the jars in a sunny spot, and let the herbs grow. It takes little effort on her part, but having fresh herbs will make all the difference in adding flavor to her favorite dishes.

A mortar and pestle to up her guac game

Molcajete 8-Inch, $27.96, available at Crate & Barrel

Mom's guac game just got a lot stronger with this molcajete. The mortar and pestle are made of volcanic stone to grind out everything to the perfect texture — so she can claim the title of best dip on the table.

A monogrammed marble board made for entertaining

Marble & Copper Monogram Boards, $39.95, available at Williams Sonoma

If she loves entertaining, she'll love this customized board. The simple design adds elegance to cheese plates, charcuterie, or whatever else graces this board.

A pair of plush slippers for lounging around the house

Teddy Bear Faux Fur Slippers, $13.99, available at Pottery Barn

Let her treat her feet right with these slippers. They're cozy and cute, so she'll love lounging in them all day long.

A spiralizer that’ll help her get inventive with cooking vegetables

Mueller Multi-Blade Spiralizer, $23.97, available at Amazon

Chances are, she was the one telling you to eat your vegetables growing up — but that doesn't mean you can't share the same sentiment for her with this spiralizer, which can grate, slice, spiralize, and shred her favorite vegetables for all different kinds of uses.

A Blue Apron meal kit for convenient, healthy meals

Blue Apron Meal Kit, two-person plan starting at $47.95, available at Blue Apron

Whether she loves to cook or is looking to improve her skills, she'll appreciate the convenience of this meal kit. Each meal kit comes with pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes for seriously delicious home-cooked meals that can be made on busy weeknights.

A customizable cookbook to keep all of your family recipes together

My Family Cookbook, $30, available at Uncommon Goods

Whether it's grandma's secret sauce or mom's homemade banana bread, your family recipes are sacred. Keep them safe for years to come with this customizable cookbook, which lets her jot down recipes, add pictures, and even has space for family members' reviews.

A planner to keep track of her busy schedule

Lemome 2019 Planner, starting at $13.59, available at Amazon

Mom has a lot on her plate. Show her you recognize that with this planner to help her organize the chaos of the coming year.

Adorable animals to hold her rings

Umbra Origami 3-Pack Ring Holder, $18.99, available at Wayfair

Whether she wants to show her rings off or make sure she doesn't lose them, these little animals do the trick. They look super cute as a piece of decor, but are undoubtedly practical. You could even pair these with a cute ring to start.

A bath caddy with room for everything she might need

Pristine Bamboo Bathtub Caddy Tray, $44.49, available at Amazon

The only thing that could make a bath more relaxing than some luxurious bubbles is this bathtub caddy. It can hold a device so she can watch her favorite show, a glass full of her favorite drink, and even a candle she can light for ambiance.

A cozy scarf that will keep her hands warm too

Handknit Pocket Scarf, $42, available at Uncommon Goods

Who doesn't love bundling up in something cozy for winter? Give mom the gift of comfort and warmth with this oversized scarf that also has pockets for holding little knick-knacks or keeping her hands toasty.

A fitting diffuser for the taste-maker of your house

Tastemaker Diffuser, $40, available at Snowe

With scents of shiso leaf, wild mint, and meyer lemon, this diffuser will look and smell great anywhere in the house.

A stylish water bottle that will become her go-to

S'well Stainless Steel Bottle, starting at $21, available at Amazon

With a variety of shapes and sizes, S'well vacuum insulated water bottles do a great job of keeping all kinds of beverages hot (for 12 hours) or cold (for 24 hours). They come in a bunch of fun colors and patterns, which makes using a reusable water bottle a lot more fun.

A bouquet of fresh flowers to liven up her space

Floral Bouquets, starting at $36, available at The Bouqs

There's a reason flowers are a classic — bursting with color and lovely scents, they bring life to every space. The Bouqs is one of our favorite places to order flowers online for their wide variety of vibrant, fresh arrangements to choose from.

A cozy throw she’ll love to cuddle up in

Faux Fur Cozy Throws, $23 (limited-time offer), available at Pottery Barn

This cozy throw is something she'll want to snuggle up with all winter long, and then some. It's not too heavy, so it's great for all times of year, but this super plush faux fur is just what she needs for your family movie marathons over the holidays.

Bookends that also function as flower vases

Vase Bookends, $45, available at Uncommon Goods

Pretty and practical — what could be better? Mom will love keeping her favorite books sandwiched between these sturdy glass vases which she can fill with her favorite flowers.

A fun game that your whole family will crack up playing

What Do You Meme?, $29.99, available at Target

She might not even know what a meme is, but there's no doubt she'll be laughing for hours creating funny memes with this card game. It's perfect for a family game night, but if you family members who err on the much younger side, go for something a little more PG.

A decorative way to repurpose her old wine corks

Wine Cork States, $35, available at Uncommon Goods

She insists on keeping the corks from some of her favorite wines, so give her somewhere to actually show them off. This state-shaped display board turns her keepsake wine corks into a piece of art worthy of being seen.

A dainty necklace with meaningful initials

Custom Initial Necklace, starting at $36, available at Etsy

Whether it's her own initials, you and your siblings' first names, or any other combinations of letters that matter to her — this necklace is a little but thoughtful way to keep those important to her close.

A cool tote bag she'll use everyday

Duck Bag, from $34, available at Baggu

From a grocery bag to a work bag, this canvas tote can do it all. It can fit a 15-inch laptop and has adjustable straps so she'll be comfortable carrying it around all day.

A subscription that lets her discover new beauty products

Birchbox three month subscription gift card, $30, available at Birchbox

Birchbox is a subscription service that sends a box full of five makeup and skincare samples for her to use each month. It's easy to buy full-size versions on the site, in case she falls in love with any one product and wants more. Plus, it'll be exciting for her to receive the beauty surprises each month.

A convenient charging port for her most-used devices

elago 3-in-1 Charging Hub, $24.49, available at Amazon

She has an iPad, Air Pods, and Apple Watch — it might seem like there's nothing else you could get your Apple-loving mom. This is a great gift for loyal Apple fans — it's a three-in-one charging hub that looks much nicer than an average extension cord, and it'll fit all of her devices perfectly.

A gift card to help her improve her fitness routine

Gift a ClassPass gift card, starting at $50, available at ClassPass

If she's always trying out new boutique fitness classes, a ClassPass membership will make a great gift. ClassPass will help her take boutique fitness classes for less, so she can try all kinds of new classes and activities, and add some variety to her workout routine.

A little book that reminds her why you live here

"What I Love About Mom by Me" Book, $10, available at Uncommon Goods

She loved your macaroni necklaces and IOU coupons when you were a kid, so she'll definitely appreciate this semi-homemade book. It's filled with prompts about why your mom is amazing, all you have to do is fill it out. It's small, but she'll love to look back on it as a touching reminder of how great she is.

A custom phone case made with a collage of family photos

Custom Phone Case, starting at $24 (prices vary depending on your device), available at Casetify

There's nothing she loves more than family, so let her show it off every day with a personalized phone case. Upload some of your favorite family photos to put on this super cute case — there are plenty of options for different layouts and cases for all kinds of smartphones.

A customizable and challenging puzzle

New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle, $49.95, available at Uncommon Goods

Work Mom's brain with this sentimental and interactive gift. Pick a special date (birthday, anniversary, etc.), and it'll be turned into a puzzle made of the actual front page of The New York Times from that day.

A set of skin-care products for an at-home facial

Drunk Elephant Precious Cargo Kit, $88, available at Sephora

It may be too cold to even think about leaving the house to get pampered, but you can still pamper Mom with an at-home spa day. This kit has everything she needs to smooth and hydrate tired winter skin including a full-sized bottle of our favorite T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial. That alone retails for $80, which makes the set well-worth the price. Read our full review of the "facial" here.

Plus, everything all comes in a cute travel case so she can take it with her when she's on the go.

A chic mug to brighten up her morning routine

Anthropologie Bistro Monogram Mug, $12, available at Nordstrom

This chic mug will instantly transport Mom to her favorite cafe, sipping on a cappuccino while trying to figure out how to rotate her camera as she's FaceTiming you. Choose the first letter of her name, or better yet, choose yours.