We love our mommas but Mother’s Day gifts can be tricky. Gone are the days when giving her a handmade bookmark and “surprising” her with breakfast in bed will do the job. You want to show your appreciation by presenting her with something that says “thanks for being a wonderful mom” without giving her a practical gift like a useful cooking utensil (boring) or clothing (sizing can be off). Flowers are completely overdone and chocolates are cliche.
Since motherhood is often thankless work and most moms aren’t pampered as often as they deserve, perfume is an excellent choice for a gift. It shows effort and thought on your part and if you get it right she’ll be thinking of you every time she spritzes it on. It’s been proven that scent is the strongest link to memory and every time she smells it she’ll be reminded of your love and thoughtfulness.
Here are 9 gorgeous perfumes for the woman who deserves an extra nice treat on her special day:
Etat Libre d’Orange You or Someone Like You
Best For: The Trendy Mom
French niche line Etat Libre d’Orange just launched this new fragrance in collaboration with author Chandler Burr and named for his first novel. It’s based around the idea of what a woman in Los Angeles might wear and everyone is talking about it. Perfume notes include rose, mint and herbs. I recently tried it and it’s sure to turn heads! Available in 30,50 or 100 ml. Price ranges from $52-$149 at luckyscent.com or amazon.com.
Best For: The Feminine Mom
Boston-based body and beauty products company created this luscious floral scent. It was inspired by an evening stroll in the medieval town of Penne d’Agenais in France when the husband and wife founders were stopped in their tracks by the intoxicating scent of honeysuckle. Perfume contains notes of ylang-ylang, black currant, peach, plum, jasmine sambac, magnolia and of course honeysuckle. Just love this! Available in 100 ml $90 at amazon.com or fresh.com.
Best For: The Practical Mom
One of four scents by southern California niche line Rosie James, James is light and earthy. Notes of fresh fig, gardenia and burnt amber interact to create a fragrance that’s warm and inviting, yet fresh. This scent brings me to my happy place! Available in 50 ml. for $49 at amazon.com or anthropology.com.
Best For: The Hardworking Career Mom
Luxe-lifestyle brand Aerin, which was founded by Aerin Lauder (granddaughter of Estee Lauder), released this pretty and highly wearable scent that won’t offend anyone in the office. Notes include citrus, Bulgarian rose, vanilla, amber and musk. Really enjoyable and pleasant. Available in 1.7 oz. and 3.4 oz. for $115 – $165 at nordstrom.com.
Best For: The Young-At-Heart Mom
The first of the Marc Jacobs Daisy line of perfumes, it’s flirtatious, fun and feminine. This sparkling floral bouquet is enchanting and light, with a playful innocence. Fruity strawberry and pink grapefruit notes blend with enchanting gardenia, violet and jasmine petals, before the dry down of white woods, vanilla and musk. Just adorable! Available in 3.4 oz for under $50 at amazon.com.
Best For: The Conservative Mom
Launched by luxury brand Bottega Veneta, Knot was inspired by the fresh air of the Italian coast, scent of flowers and clean laundry whose scent wafts in through open windows. Fresh and optimistic opening notes of clementine, mandarin, lime, neroli and orange blossom mix with heart notes of peony, white rose and lavender, posing a contrast to the earthy base of musk and tonic. Sexy yet understated. Available in 30, 50 and 75 ml. Prices range from $125-$160 at nordstrom.com.
Best for: The Glamorous Mom
One spray and she’ll have a gentle, gorgeous cloud of elegance around her for hours. Notes include osmanthus, violet, apricot, jasmine, lily of the valley, rose, geranium, sandalwood, patchouli and musk. If your mom has an appreciation for classic style/vintage perfumes and a penchant for old school glamour then she’ll love it. PS Jackie Kennedy was a huge fan! Available in 2.5 oz for $130 at amazon.com.
Best For: The Laid-Back Mom
Launched by self-taught perfumer Susan D. Owens, Child became a huge hit in the 1990s when it was discovered by celebrities like Madonna, Jennifer Aniston and Cher. It’s a unique scent that is truly addictive. Notes are a mix of exotic white flowers that become drier over time. This is sold as a rollerball or 60 ml. for $88 and a Limited Edition spray for $165 . I’ve been wearing it for years and will keep on! Available at beautyhabit.com and amazon.com.
Best For: The Globetrotting Mom
This new London-based brand recently launched 4 fragrances designed for the urban traveler. Tel Aviv is my personal favorite and it’s a wonderful bright, sunny, floral fruity fragrance. The notes of clementine, bergamot, black currant, jasmine sambac, ylang-ylang, rose oil, freesia strike a perfect balance with the warm musky base. Available in 30 ml. for $95 at luckyscent.com. Gallivant also offers a fragrance sampler on their website (gallivant-perfumes.com) which also includes Brooklyn, London and Istanbul so she can choose her destination.
No matter what type of mother you have, she’ll appreciate your effort in choosing something that is distinctly her. And while you’re at it, you may just find something that you won’t be able to resist for yourself.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the superwomen out there. I hope your day is as special as you are!
Until the next time,
I’m horrible… Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and I have yet to buy anything for my wife or my mother, or my grandmother! I wanted to do something other than the boring cards and flowers this year, so I am out checking gift ideas on the internet.
So glad I came across your web page. I have an Amazon Prime account so I can order today and get my order in time for Mother’s Day.
Thank you so much – your descriptions of the perfumes/scents was exactly what I needed.
Amazing Grace By Philosophy is a perfect match for wife… she likes just a faint hint of perfume.
Hi TD,
Mother’s Day has a way of sneaking up on us doesn’t it? Amazon Prime has saved me on many occasions:) Amazing Grace is a lovely scent and not overbearing at all so I hope she’ll be happily pleased with your choice.
cheers,
Erica
I like the look of the Honeysuckle for the feminine mum but also the magnolia – or do you mean that the perfume contains all of the notes you pointed out here?
Also, my mum can be a little sensitive to some perfumes but not sure exactly to what ingredient. Do you know if others have had any reactions or such to the honeysuckle?
Hi Rina,
The Fresh Honeysuckle does contain notes of magnolia as well as the other notes listed. If your mum’s sensitive to fragrance then maybe you’re best off surprising her with something that you know she adores.You know her best after all:)
Erica