gifts of notable scale

Foot and hand pillows by John Sohn, for anthropomorphic blanket forts.

A miniature magazine all about miniatures: World of Interiors December 2025 special edition (image via Casa Magazines).

Jumbo Oni paperclips, for a big grip.

A a cottage-shaped box, to hold jewels or sewing notions, or rooms designed to fit on a page, designed by Miss Sarah Elizabeth Birdsall Otis.

A very big bag (Gabrielle Frantzen's raffia weekender), to encourage packing light.

The gift of one book crammed with words (a single-volume edition of the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary, complete with magnifying glass) or the gift of just three sentences, written by Kiosk.

An extremely difficult puzzle with just 159 pieces, by Artifact Puzzles.

A whale sized to swim in a tea pot, by Ocean Teabag.

Construction supplies for the littlest household projects by Mini Materials.

The ninth chapter of nine-year-old Daisy Ashford's novel, The Young Visiters, designed to fit on a shirt, by A History of Frogs.

A measuring tape by Alan Sobrino marked in increments of verse.

Lisa Swerling's "One Wish" Glass Cathedral—a summer's night under glass.

prime number / gifts some 47-year-olds might enjoy

A hat from Wombhouse Books (Jamaica Kincaid forever and ever).

Grayson Perry's magical thinking tote, decorated with assorted delusions (reason, capitalism, the internet, etc.)

Eyes ex-voto, because "eyes can be a gentle protest against the moral and emotional blindness in the world. We see you."

Uusi's latest tarot deck, inspired by winter light.

Golden kicks, for chasing step goals.

New work from an ever-vital poet, age 87.

A box of rocks. 

A lovely twisted wood shoe horn by Emura Woodworking Studio, because I might finally, finally be old enough to stop stomping in the heels of my shoes when I put them on.

Garnet bows. 

A 19th-century French architectural model of spinning doors, because every birthday is a revolution.

flowers for mothers (not medals)

A piece of art you make by tracing flower shadows.

Pansies for thoughts: Anntian g-mallows t-shirt.

A blank journal by IDEA, with photographs of Shozo Sato's ikebana scattered throughout to encourage words to bloom, or a book about finding flowers (a favorite).

Nonfiction "Open Arms" perfume, "an interpretation of a healing moment, nurtured with elements of nature’s vitality and caring gestures. Ripe fruits, sweet flower blossoms, fresh green leaves from nascent branches, and crushed peels are condensed to create a fresh, bittersweet essence." (A fresh, bittersweet essence is exactly how I'd describe motherhood.)

Garden notecards by Jane Ormes at Bari Zaki.

John Julian x Sarah Lucas classical mug, for coffee flavored with whimsy.

A length of floral embroidered ribbon from Minnieolga, to tie in her hair or use as a bookmark.

A long basket by kaaterskill market and a pair of snips, for bringing home bouquets. 

Clogs green as grass.

A tea towel that looks like a meal of flowers or actual petals to eat (The Quiet Botanist's matcha rose chocolate bar). 

Spiritual Objects golden flower necklace, for everyone and anyone called to mother, in whatever form that takes.

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(This is the medal I am talking about; absolutely repugnant.)

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Related posts: choosing motherhood / what's possible / true colors

Other gifts some mothers may enjoy: 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023 / 2024

gifts for somewhat practical aesthetes

An efficient all-in-one hat and scarf by Xenia Telunts, available at Folk. 

A tree curtain by random clichés, for greenery that never needs watering.

Fleurs D'Hiver herbal tea lollipops, for a particularly lovely cup of tea.

An aluminum coffee pot by knindustrie, to add flourish to a daily ritual.

Kumihimo silk-braided eyewear straps by Noriko Yuki, for keeping readers close.

A minimalist cookie zine with just four recipes, each inspired by an artist: Halva af Klint, Sonia Dough-lanay, Anise Albers, and Almond Thomas.

A paper fan that recalls a sunlit forest canopy, for lo-fi a/c.

A spiraled basket made of coppiced willow by Rachel Bower Baskets, for corralling a collection of handmade wooden spoons.

A hand-drawn custom lampshade (or café curtains) by Swordbreaker Garments, for an artful glow.

An easy-to-find-at-the-bottom-of-bags Caro pen by Craighill, and an Ina Seifert lanyard to keep it (and keys) handy.

A chair by Cultivation Objects that recalls telephone seats, for texting and word games.

A cherry wood cable wrap by Naoto Yoshida, for keeping cords neat.

Miriam Murri's dog-waste bag dispenser for Alessi, for putting a little shine on a most unpleasant chore. 

A cheery and sturdy Hender Scheme tissue case, because tissue manufacturers seem driven to choose THE WORST patterns for tissue boxes. Why?!!!!