Look, I’m not trying to be difficult, but I’m tired, and the last thing I need for Mother’s Day is a $100 bouquet that turns slimy in three days, in a vase that will prove impossible to clean, culminating in dead flowers that won’t fit in my compost bin. (In my house, if we have cut flowers, my husband bought them for himself.)
So what do I — and I assume other tired mamas — actually want for Mother’s Day? Here are a some serious winners, from free to splurgy that are way better than a dozen roses.
Fun > Flowers
Here’s the paradox of Mother’s Day: everyone insists we “relax,” but we can’t actually do that while surrounded by unfolded laundry and tumbleweeds of dog hair. The obvious solution? Leave the house. Here are options for every price point:
Free: Trail of Ten Falls
The first time we hiked this 10-mile trail through Silver Falls State Park, it was my Mother’s Day/birthday gift — and it remains one of my all-time favorite memories. Bonus: the Mother’s Day Birding and Wildflower Festival happens every year at the park. Birds, blooms, and no dishes? Yes, please.
Mid Cost: Oaks Park
Retro rides, fried food, and free ride bracelets for moms on Mother’s Day.
Splurge: Weekend Getaway on the Water
When the budget allows, I love booking a house on the Oregon Coast or Puget Sound, something with a view and a hot tub, ideally. Pro tip: Monday checkouts are cheaper.
Something Yummy
Mother’s Day brunch can be pure chaos, and that’s not what my overstimulated momma brain is looking for on Mother’s Day. Here are delicious, low key options for every budget:
Free: Free scoop for moms at Pinolo Gelato
There’s no catch — just good vibes and even better gelato.
Mid Cost: Creo Chocolate
Take a chocolate-bar-making class or just enjoy your hand crafted artisan chocolate and a quiet moment in this sweet little spot.
Splurge: Topaz Farm’s Mother’s Day Brunch
This one’s already sold out (you’re not the only one trying to skip the chaos), but mark your calendar for their Father’s Day Picnic — just as dreamy, and there are still spots available.
Flowers without the Florist Bill
I love flowers — just not the kind wilting on my kitchen counter. If you want to make a flower-loving mama happy, skip the vase and try one of these blooming outings instead:
Free: Wildflower Hikes
Check out our list of wildflower hikes or visit the rhododendron path at the Jenkins Estate in Beaverton.
Mid Cost: Local Gardens
Visit Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, or explore Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, or Lan Su Chinese Garden — all stunning this time of year.
Splurge: The Oregon Garden in Silverton
Make a weekend of it and stay at the Oregon Garden Resort. Sip wine while wandering 80 acres of peak bloom. I stayed here with my daughter at Christmastime, and it was a dream — visiting in spring is officially on my bucket list.
Local Gifts That Last Longer Than Roses
If you still want to hand Mom something wrapped in tissue paper, make it local. These gifts support small businesses and won’t die on your windowsill:
Handmade Jewelry
If Mom’s love language is jewelry, skip the mass-produced stuff and go local with betsy & iya, for beautiful, modern pieces that feel personal — no vase required.
Natural Skincare from Gatherwise
Handcrafted in Portland with wild-foraged and organically grown herbs, Gatherwise products feel like forest bathing in a bottle. From their calming hydrosols to skin-healing salves, every item is made in small batches with serious care. Perfect for the mom who wants her self-care to feel sacred — and actually work.
Books She’ll Actually Finish
Swing by a neighborhood bookstore and ask for recs for a tired mom who craves short chapters and satisfying endings. We love Annie Bloom’s and — of course — Powell’s for their thoughtfully curated shelves.
Plantable Gifts
Bouquets fade — plants thrive. Gift her a potted lavender, a hanging strawberry basket, or a flat of pollinator-friendly blooms from Portland Nursery, Cornell Farms, or Pomarius Nursery. Bonus points if you do the planting.
Subscription Joy
The best gifts show up again and again. Treat mom to a seasonal CSA box full of local produce, or a coffee club from her favorite local roaster. No wrapping required.
Looking for more fun things to do with mom? We’ve got 101 ideas.