mothers day 2017

What New(ish) Moms Want for Mother’s Day, According to 12 Moms

Like old versus new millennials, new moms are a different breed than experienced ones — their kids are still too young to buy stuff (expensive stuff, anyway), and their foremost concerns probably have more to do with getting enough sleep and sanity. So, for the men in their lives, we’ve decided to ask a dozen new(ish) moms about the best gifts for Mother’s Day. (Hint: Many of the requests tended toward the experiential. Practical baby-shower gifts would go over well, too.)

“I want a big, cozy, beautiful, machine-washable throw blanket for cuddling on the couch. (The machine-washable part often gets overlooked by people who don’t have kids.) Like this one.” — Allyson Downey, mother of a 2-year-old and 5-year-old

“A fancy dinner would be really nice, and I’d love to get pampered with a head-and-neck massage at a salon, too, with a glass of Champagne — the whole shebang.” — Glory Anne Canilang, mother of a 3-month-old

“Last year, I got a really cool pair of Ahnu hiking boots, and I still love them! I’d totally want another pair, or something pretty like Kristi Hyde jewelry.” — Alana Lang Haughaboo, mother of a 4-year-old and 9-year-old

“My 19-month-old uses my phone as a way to entertain himself while I’m doing things, so having an Apple Watch would allow me to still get messages and things like that when he has my phone. Also, it will allow me to track things like fitness, because I don’t always wear my phone in a clip attached to me — but if I have the Apple Watch, I can have it on my arm at all times and track things like my steps! And, yes, I think it’s Dick Tracy cool.” — Mattavia Ward, mother of a 19-month-old

“I’d love a lot of things — a luscious duvet cover. Ten sessions at Skin Laundry. A $500 gift certificate to Caviar. Anything All-Clad (like a fry pan with lid). A nanny from 5:56 a.m. until 7:56 a.m. … and a wife.” — Alyssa Shelasky, mother of a 1.5-year-old

“I’d love flowers from the kids (which, at my kids’ ages, requires more planning by my husband). In fact, I’d actually want a family day planned entirely by him. I don’t want to have to pack anything for anyone, or make any choices at all.” — Johanna Cox Moran, mother of an 8-month-old, 2.5-year-old, and 5-year-old

“I’d love some spa time with my husband at Great Jones Spa [Editor’s note: Spafinder gift cards work there]. And a family-photo session in the park would be great, too.” — Scarlett C., mother of a 7-month-old

“A pair of foldable Tieks in a color other than neutrals would be nice, and what I’d really, really love is a complete detail of my van. Good-bye, Cheez-It crumbs. So long, melty crayon.” — Nancy Lovvorn Turbyfill, mother of a 9-year-old and 11-year-old

“All the Sugarfina under the sun, especially the Sugar Lips.” — Rachel Kaysen, mother of a 2-year-old

“A Lou Haney painting, plus a twist on the ‘time alone’ thing: time with my kids without any distracting responsibilities or chores. Day Off for Mom.” — Paige Clancy, mother of a 5-year-old and 8-year-old

“For Mother’s Day, I’d kill for a Lingua Franca sweater. In my ultimate fantasy, I’d actually want a custom version that reads, ‘I love my grudges.’ (I’ve been channeling a Monterey housewife for the last two weeks, and my husband’s been tolerating it for the sake of the children.)” — Lea Goldman, mother of a 2-year-old and 7-year-old

“A massage and facial at a really good place, like Bliss, that won’t leave me blotchy. While we’re at it, reliable child care, tickets to a Broadway show, a Seamless gift certificate, and pieces of art from 20 x 200.” — Rachel Sklar, mother of a 2-year-old

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What New Moms Want for Mother’s Day, According to 12 Moms