Amazing Moms: Heather Robertson Leads the Frosting Team at Cheryl’s Cookies

Heather Robertson is a first-shift frosting supervisor at Cheryl’s Cookies. She started her career in 2015 as a temporary associate, spent years splitting her time between Cheryl’s main production facility in Westerville, Ohio, and its gluten-free kitchen in Columbus, Ohio, and now oversees about 40 people in her current role. Heather is also a mom to an 18-year-old son, Austin.

We talked to Heather about her employment journey, her mentor at Cheryl’s, and the relationships she’s made while at the company.

What initially drew you to work for Cheryl’s?

I live in Westerville, so I was looking for a job that was close to home and was a good fit for me and my family. And I didn’t want to jump from seasonal job to seasonal job; I was looking for something more permanent.

I was on a mom’s Facebook board, and it said Cheryl’s was hiring, so I thought I’d see what it was about and maybe work through the Christmas holiday. And then, after I started, I thought, this is something I can actually do long term. This will work.

Every day is something different — different cookies, different issues — and that keeps things exciting.

Heather Robertson, frosting supervisor, Cheryl’s Cookies

Were there any signs early on that this might turn into a long-term job?

I began working here in September 2015, and after only two months management chose me to start going down to the gluten-free facility in Columbus [Ohio] and be part of that team.

Why do you think they believed you were ready to take on more responsibility so soon?

My flexibility. I was able to work in multiple departments. I had started in frosting and been taken to packing, and I picked that up very, very quickly, and they felt like this was something I could pick up quickly too.

What kind of work did you do in Columbus?

All kinds of things. I was a baker. I ran the packing line. I helped supervise when our manager wasn’t there. Basically, I was supervising before I was a supervisor.

Heather Robertson
Heather Robertson (left) with food production manager Brian Wolford and second shift supervisor Narayani Kattel.

Have you had someone who has been a mentor to you in your job?

Tracie Loudermilk, our packing supervisor. I started in frosting, and she pulled me out of frosting almost immediately and took me to packing, in a spot where I could learn how to run a packing line. Then she promoted me to a packing lead, and after a couple years of doing that she taught me how to do what she did. She was really patient, really helpful — she’s been here a long time and knows the business really well. She taught how to be a good lead.

She’s also a mom, so she understands working as a mom. We’ve become friends as well as co-workers over the years.

What do you enjoy most about working at Cheryl’s?

Every day is different. I’m not sitting at a computer punching in the same numbers all day long. Every day is something different — different cookies, different issues — and that keeps things exciting.

I like to be up and about, talking to different people, and I’ve learned a lot about the people I work with, the men and women I supervise. I like the people who work with me.

Women Who Lead: How a Single, Working Mom Keeps a 100-Year-Old Family Baking Tradition Alive

When Agnes Saghatelian first started attending industry trade shows as president of her family’s baking company, she saw firsthand how male-dominated the food industry was.

“Men, primarily, would approach me and say, ‘Can I speak to your president?’ And I’d reply, ‘I am the president,’ and their eyes would just fly right open with surprise. Then I’d hand them my business card, they’d look at it carefully, and then say, ‘OK!'”

That actually didn’t come as much of a surprise to Agnes. “My mother dealt with that same situation for years, and when I’d attend shows with her, men just assumed that there was a man standing behind my mother who was doing the job. The truth is, there wasn’t — it was all her.”

Passing the torch

Agnes is a third-generation owner of the Valley Lahvosh Baking Company, which was started in 1922 by her grandfather, Gazair Saghatelian, a master baker in his native Armenia. For 100 years, the Saghatelian family has been creating deliciously different breads and crackerbreads in Fresno, California, all in the same location, 502 M Street.

Gazair had six children, and when he died in 1982, his daughter, Janet, took the helm of the bakery, with the goal of carrying on the family business. She did, splendidly.

Under Janet’s watchful and creative eye, she put the company on the map with the heart-shaped cracker. After that product became well-known, she created other shapes, including stars, minis, and trees.

Agnes spent her childhood helping her mom out in the bakery, and after graduating from Fresno State in 1993, she knew exactly what she wanted to do: “Go to work, officially, for my mom and our business.”

She worked closely at her mom’s side until the latter’s passing in 2010, at which time Agnes became president of Valley Lahvosh Baking Company. “For all those years, I was my mother’s sounding board and confidante, and her closest advisor, so I was prepared to take the lead after she died. But, wow, I had huge shoes to fill.”

Behind every great business is a greater woman

valley lahvosh baking company founder behind a counter.
Counter culture: Agnes stands behind her family’s century-long breads

Agnes is celebrating her own anniversary this year — 30 years with Valley Lahvosh Baking Company. But, looking back, she realizes how challenging things were.

“At the beginning of taking charge, and I think I can speak for anyone who takes over a family business, there’s self-doubt, anxiety, and some trepidation about being able to handle the job. I think that’s natural, but the only way to make it work is to dive in and continue to move forward,” Agnes advises.

She also recommends anyone who’s starting or taking over a business, whether it’s a family one or not, to listen to what people have been saying for years.

“To succeed, it is vital to have self-confidence and to trust your instincts. You just need to stay motivated, be in a healthy and right frame of mind, and make sure to keep investing your time, money, and energy in the company, its people, and its business partners.”

For Agnes, that has meant expanding the company’s relationships, looking for opportunities within the food world. Valley Lahvosh sells to a variety of industries, including food service for hotels and restaurants, and retail (including grocery stores), and also manufactures for other private labels.

Family ties

Agnes has also slowly acclimated her own daughter, Danielle, to the business. “I encourage her to do anything she wants in her life, even if that doesn’t include working here,” Agnes stresses. “She’s only a teenager, but she does help out and asks questions about what’s going on.”

More importantly, Agnes hopes that she’s setting a good example for her daughter. “I think she sees how much work I put into the business,” Agnes says. “I also think she’s becoming aware of all the responsibility I have, as well as how accountable I am to all the work and to our wonderful team that I lead.

“At the beginning of taking charge, and I think I can speak for anyone who takes over a family business, there’s self-doubt, anxiety, and some trepidation about being able to handle the job.”

Agnes Saghatelian, President, Lahvosh Baking Company

“I think she also sees that, as a single mom, I am juggling being the head of the company with being the mom of our household. My daughter sees how much work I do on a daily basis and after hours. I know how important it is to make sure she gets the right amount of attention.

“There are times, though, when I’ve had to be honest with her, after some really long days, and just tell her that mom is tired. But I think this is important, to make time for her and to make sure we do things together. I’m lucky that we communicate well. I just hope I’m doing things that make her proud.”

On a roll

Does Agnes think her mom would be proud of her and where she’s taken the business? “Oh, she would be so proud. Oh my gosh, she was my biggest supporter and cheerleader,” Agnes says fondly. “My mom would have loved every second of our 100th anniversary celebration that that included special sales and store hours, a party, and a proclamation by the mayor of Fresno!”

A lot has changed for the century-old company that Janet didn’t get to see, including all the beautiful photographs posted to social media featuring charcuterie boards and the clever ways they show off their hearts, stars, and tree shapes.

“Mom would get such a kick out of all the wonderful comments people leave. She’d be thrilled with it all, and that makes me so happy.”

Gifts featuring Amazing Women

8 Unbeatable Last-minute Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, and if you’re still thinking about what to get Mom, these thoughtful last-minute gifts are exactly what you need. Whether it’s a beautiful bouquet, subscription box, a gift tower, or homemade treat, these heartfelt items will help Mom feel the love.

Here are our last-minute gift ideas that will help make your Mother’s Day shopping a breeze.

Amazing Mom Bouquet 

Show the special women in your life how amazing they are with this extravagant bouquet. This “Amazing Mom” garden-inspired arrangement is designed by expert florists and makes a sweet heartfelt surprise for every mom, wife, grandma, sister, or friend.

mothers day gifts with amazing mom bouquet

Royal Verano Pears

Surprise Mom with a gift as sweet as she is. This gift box is filled with delicious Royal Verano Pears, each one carefully grown and handpicked. It’s the perfect gift to let her know just how special she is.

Mother’s Day Crafts and Cards

For kids who may be too young to get Mom or Grandma a gift, or for those who prefer something handmade, these Mother’s Day crafts and cards are sweet DIY gifts. Just print them out, color them in or complete the activity sheets, and share them with Mom on the big morning. They’re also an easy gift to send Grandma if you can’t see her in person.

mothers day gifts with mothers day printables
mothers day gifts with momosa bar

Create a Mom-osa Bar

Give Mom something fun, interactive, and memorable this year by creating a Mom-osa bar specially designed for her. It’s a great way to spend time together and adds a fun twist to the traditional brunch. Plus, who doesn’t love a good mimosa? Cheers!

Deluxe Mother’s Day Gift Tin with Wine

Show your appreciation for Mom with this deluxe Mother’s Day gift. This decorative tin is overflowing with a variety of gourmet sweet and salty treats and a bottle of award-winning pinot gris wine, so Mom can be celebrated all weekend long.

mothers day gifts with Deluxe Mothers Day Gift Tin with Wine
mothers day gifts with One of a Kind Bouquet

Flower Subscription

The best gifts are the ones that keep on giving. With our flower subscription, Mom will receive a new fresh bouquet every month, from our one-of-a-kind bouquet to our fresh market bouquet. She’ll have a reminder of your love and gratitude all year long.

Mother’s Day Dessert Board

Skip Mother’s Day brunch and go straight for dessert this year. If you’re celebrating Mom in person, surprise her with this sweet dessert board full of all her favorites, from truffle cookies to chocolate-enrobed fruit.

mothers day gifts with mothers day dessert board
mothers day gifts with Gourmet Cheese Gift with Wine

Gourmet Cheese Gift with Wine

Calling all cheese- and wine-loving moms! Treat yourself to this gourmet cheese gift paired with a 2020 pinot noir. It’s perfect for indulging this Mother’s Day. Whether you’re creating a fancy charcuterie board or just snacking on the couch, treat yourself to some well-deserved “you” time and try these delicious pairings.


mother's day flowers ad

Amazing Women: For the Founder of Undercover Snacks, It’s a Family Affair

Chocolate is one of the most beloved foods in the world. But did you know that while unsweetened chocolate is naturally gluten-free, processed chocolate contains gluten? So, when two of Diana Levy’s daughters were diagnosed in 2016 with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder brought about by eating foods containing gluten, Mom set out on a mission to find a way that they could enjoy the tasty confection without suffering any consequences.

Fortunately for the Levy girls — Arielle, 25, and Jenna, 21 (Diana also has a third daughter, Jenna’s twin sister Elena, who does not have celiac) — their mother was as qualified as anyone to come up with a solution to their problem: Diana had a small side business making custom chocolates for events.

“As a self-appointed chocolate expert, I started to experiment with ways to make chocolate different, and gluten-free,” she says.

If at first you don’t succeed…

Diana quickly got busy in her kitchen, trying and testing various combinations of chocolate and myriad ingredients. After many attempts, she landed on one that not only was gluten-free but, as far as chocolate goes, made a healthier snack. Undercover was born.

Diana spent about five months working on recipes. Every day when her kids went to school, she would write recipes. Then she started narrowing them down, trying to get within certain calorie and nutritional parameters.

“I literally purchased every ingredient under the sun, and I was getting close to giving up — and then suddenly I hit upon these chocolate quinoa crisps and was pretty sure I had found a winner. Once I had the basic idea, I was able to figure out flavors and ultimately packaging and branding.”

So, how did she come up with the name for her newfound snack company?

“We chose Undercover because the snack has ‘healthy ingredients in disguise,’ and we got that motto trademarked,” Diana recalls. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and provides protein and fiber, as well as iron.

At that point, Diana began pitching the crisps to snack buyers, and getting the product on store shelves, a process that took a little less than two years. The new snack was easy to make, and was gaining traction with buyers — so much so that her husband, Mike, decided to quit his job in finance to help with the business.

“When I started the business, I made sure to have it Women Owned Small Business certified. The program is all about helping working women, promoting women, and assisting them in achieving their goals.”

Diana Levy

It soon became clear that Diana had the “it” factor when she went out to sell the product to retailers.

“Believe it or not, I only recall one time that I was rejected early on. Every place I walked into pretty much put them on the shelves,” she says proudly. “I had a whole big story I was prepared to tell — and then each time the manager just opened up a bag, tried one, and agreed to take them.”

Undercover snacks are sold throughout the country, in such markets as Whole Foods, Kroger, Costco, and Wegman’s, and also found in Harry & David gift baskets.

Selling them was the easy part. Getting them to these outlets was another story. “I realized pretty early on that our biggest challenge was actually going to be making them on a big scale.”

If you build it…

At first, Diana and her small team of Mike and a few friends made the crisps themselves in her kitchen. Then, in 2017, they found a manufacturing site close to where she lives in southern New Jersey, and by the following year, they had their own production facility.

“That all might sound easy, right? But it was anything but,” Diana says with a laugh. “There were many days that my husband and I worked around the clock, and were literally covered with chocolate from head to toe. Just as I was experimenting in my kitchen, we had to experiment with the best way to correctly and safely make the product, and you couldn’t do that without becoming chocolate covered yourself.”

undercover snacks founder family photo.
All in the family: Diana, along with her husband and daughters.

Getting the site up and running was hard. “Neither one of us ever ran a manufacturing facility, so learning all the intricacies was the biggest challenge, and the most important one,” Diana says.

For Diana, it was also important that her company be recognized as woman owned. “When I started the business, I made sure to have it Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certified. The program is all about helping working women, promoting women, and assisting them in achieving their goals.”

All in the family

The business employs around 50 people, including three young women important to Diana. “My oldest daughter joined the business, and my two younger daughters in college are brand ambassadors, so, along with my husband, we truly are a family company.”

Diana suggests that for a woman to be successful with starting a business, she must be persistent and take chances. “There’s an enormous amount of risk taking involved,” she points out. “And there’s so many unexpected issues that pop up that require you to be nimble and adjust quickly. Just running the business in general is a massive amount of work, and you have to be prepared for that.”

Satisfying work and hunger pangs

But it’s all been worth it, Diana maintains. In addition to being featured in Harry & David gift baskets, Undercover is starting to be sold globally. “We’re in Israel, Japan, and focusing a lot on Canada, so we’re just going country by country,” Diana says. “We’re also on United Airlines in snack boxes, and soon will be handed out on flights, so all this growth means you’re just constantly busy.”

Undercover also recently announced its quinoa crisps will be sold in Publix supermarkets.

However, Diana said she’s not too busy to take a snack break. “After all these years, I still love the product. There are bags of them all over the office, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I still love to indulge in the snack.”

Gifts featuring Amazing Women

75 Powerful and Inspirational Mother’s Day Quotes

Moms hold a special place in our hearts, and Mother’s Day is the perfect time to express the love and gratitude we feel for them. If you’re looking for just the right words to show Mom how much you care and appreciate her dedication and support through the years, why not turn to one of these famous quotes about motherhood and that one amazing woman who is most responsible for making you the person you are today?

From authors and musicians to political leaders and sports legends, luminaries from all arenas recognize the contributions and special role their mother played in their lives.

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Enjoy feeling the love we’re giving to deserving moms this Mother’s Day with these 75 quotes about motherhood.

Motherhood quotes about the bond between mother and child

1. “A mother’s love liberates.” – Maya Angelou

2. “The truth is that no matter how old we are, as long as our mothers are alive, we want our mother.” – Goldie Hawn

3. “Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There’s no bond so strong in the entire world, no love so instantaneous and forgiving.” – Gail Tsukiyama

4. “My mother has always been my emotional barometer and my guidance. I was lucky enough to get to have one woman who truly helped me through everything.” – Emma Stone

5. “There is no velvet so soft as a mother’s lap, no rose as lovely as her smile, no path so flowery as that imprinted with her footsteps.” – Archibald Thompson

motherhood quotes mother daughter at table

6. “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” – Sophia Loren

7. “A mother’s arms are made of tenderness, and children sleep soundly in them.” – Victor Hugo

8. “There were times when, in middle school and junior high, I didn’t have a lot of friends. But my mom was always my friend. Always.” – Taylor Swift

9. “The best place to cry is in a mother’s arms.” – Jodi Picoult

10. “A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” – Agatha Christie

11. “In the end, mothers are always right. No one else tells the truth.” – Randy Susan Meyers

12. “She (my mother) stood, always prepared in herself to challenge the world in our place.” – Eudora Welty

13. “The one constant, faithful, inviolable, holy love of loves — the love of your life — is not your wife or lover — it is your mother.” – Sandra Cisneros

14. “Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” – Oprah Winfrey

Quotes that celebrate a mother’s love

15. “A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” – Princess Diana

16. “No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love.” – Edwin Chapin

17. “A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go.” – Leonardo DiCaprio

18. “A mother’s love is everything. It is what brings a child into this world. It is what molds their entire being. When a mother sees her child in danger, she is literally capable of anything. Mothers have lifted cars off of their children and destroyed entire dynasties. A mother’s love is the strongest energy known to man.” – Jamie McGuire

19. “The only love that I really believe in is a mother’s love for her children.” – Karl Lagerfeld

motherhood quotes holding daughter

20. “Mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired; it need not be deserved.” – Erich Fromm

21. “We are born of love; love is our mother.” – Rumi

22. “When you are looking at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” – Charley Benetto

23. “A mother’s love endures through all.” – Washington Irving

24. “You can feel when your mom’s proud of you. You can feel the love.” – Jimmy Fallon

25. “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” – Honoré de Balzac

Motherhood quotes about Mom being our first and favorite teacher

26. “There is no influence so powerful as that of the mother.” – Sarah Josepha Hale

27. “My mother gave me a sense of independence, a sense of total confidence that we could do whatever it was we set out to do. That’s how we were raised.” – Robin Wright

motherhood quotes pouring tea

28. “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'” – Fred Rogers

29. “Acceptance, tolerance, bravery, compassion. These are the things my mom taught me.” – Lady Gaga

30. “Over the years, I learned so much from mom. She taught me about the importance of home and history and family and tradition. She also taught me that aging need not mean narrowing the scope of your activities and interests or a diminution of the great pleasures to be had in the everyday.” – Martha Stewart

31. “Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

32. “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her.” – George Washington

Motherhood quotes about Mom inspiring us to be our best self

33. “My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind.” – Michael Jordan

34. “My doctor told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.” – Wilma Rudolph

35. “My mother told me to be a lady. And, for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” – Ruth Bader Ginsberg

36. “Mothers were the only ones you could depend on to tell the whole, unvarnished truth.” – Margaret Dilloway

37. “I can only hope to be 10 percent of the mom mine was to me. She encouraged me to be confident and enjoy life.” – Charlize Theron

38. “That strong mother doesn’t tell her cub, ‘Son, stay weak so the wolves can get you.’ She says, ‘Toughen up, this is the reality we are living in.'” – Lauryn Hill

39. “A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.” – Dorothy Canfield Fisher

40. “Moms are as relentless as the tides. They don’t just drive us to practice — they drive us to greatness.” – Steve Rushin

41. “Men are what their mothers made them.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

42. “My mother was my role model before I even knew what that word was.” – Lisa Leslie

43. “If I have done anything in life worth attention, I feel sure that I inherited the disposition from my mother.” – Booker T. Washington

motherhood quotes snuggling in bed

Quotes perfect for a Mother’s Day message

44. “If love is as sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” – Stevie Wonder

45. “In the Heavens above, the angels, whispering to one another, can find, among their burning terms of love, none so devotional as that of ‘Mother.'” – Edgar Allen Poe

46. “A mother is the one who fills your heart in the first place.” – Amy Tan

47. “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

48. “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” – Maya Angelou

49. “To her whose heart is my heart’s quiet home, To my first Love, my Mother, on whose knee I learnt love-lore that is not troublesome.” – Christina Rossetti

50. “Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind.” – Kahlil Gibran

Quotes celebrating motherhood

51. “If you’re a mom, you’re a superhero. Period.” – Rosie Pope

52. “I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is.” – Oprah Winfrey

53. “God could not be everywhere, and, therefore, he made mothers.” – Rudyard Kipling

54. “Even as a small child, I understood that women had secrets, and that some of these were only to be told to daughters. In this way, we were bound together for eternity.” – Alice Hoffman

55. “A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” – Gaspard Mermillod

56. “Mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.” – Emily Dickinson

57. “Successful mothers are not the ones who have never struggled. They are the ones who never give up, despite their struggles.” – Sharon Jaynes

58. “Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.” – Barbara Kingsolver

59. “Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

motherhood quotes smelling flowers

Quotes offering gratitude and appreciation for all moms do

60. “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” – James E. Faust

61. “’Oh, I’m just a mom,’ you heard women say. Just a mom? Please! Being a mom is everything. It’s mentorship, it’s inspirational, and it’s our hope for the future.” – Sally Field

62. “My mother was the one constant in my life. When I think about my mom raising me alone when she was 20, and working and paying the bills, and trying to pursue her own dreams, I think it is a feat that is unmatched.” – Barack Obama

63. “My mother is the bone of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot imagine a life without her.” – Kristin Hannah

64. “Perhaps it takes courage to raise children.” – John Steinbeck

65. “My mom is my hero. She inspired me to dream when I was a kid, so anytime anyone inspires you to dream, that’s gotta be your hero.” – Tim McGraw

66. “I am sure that if the mothers of various nations could meet, there would be no more wars.” – E. M. Forster

67. “We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as ‘just a mom.’ It is on her back that great nations are built.” – Oprah Winfrey

68. “Any mother could do the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease.” – Lisa Alther

69. “There’s no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill

70. “A mother is the truest friend we have…” – Washington Irving

Witty motherhood quotes

71. “Sooner or later, we all quote our mothers.” – Bernard Williams

72. “When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it’s a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” – Erma Bombeck

73. “My sister said once: ‘Anything I don’t want Mother to know, I don’t even think of, if she’s in the room.'” – Agatha Christie

74. “It’s not easy being a mom. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” – Betty White

75. “If evolution really works, how come Mothers only have two hands?” – Milton Berle

33 Creative Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Every Kind of Mom

The moms — and mother figures — in our lives are so pivotal, and while it’s important to let them know how much we love, care for, and appreciate them every day, Mother’s Day is the ultimate opportunity to remind them that they’re the best.

But not every mom is the same and, therefore, you want to treat each one like the unique snowflake she is — especially when it comes to gift giving.

Jessica Lighter Headshot

Whether it’s a candle they love or something from your childhood that’s nostalgic, a meaningful gift can be a real winner.

Jessica Lighter

Creative director, Celebration Stylist

These carefully curated Mother’s Day gift ideas are designed to steer you toward the perfect present for your mom’s personality, whether she’s stylish and sassy, a picky perfectionist, completely creative, or your all-time BFF.

“At the end of the day, no matter what type of celebration or gift idea you settle on, make sure Mom doesn’t lift a finger,” says Jessica Lighter, creative director at Celebration Stylist. “She deserves extra mimosas this year.”

In other words, spoil her.

Lighter encourages some out-of-the-box thinking on Mother’s Day.

Baskets come in handy,” she says. “I always do this for my mom — I create a basket full of things she loves.” She says to choose items that are sentimental or make you think of your mom. “Whether it’s a candle they love or something from your childhood that’s nostalgic, a meaningful gift like this can be a real winner,” she explains.

Here are 33 Mother’s Day gift ideas to get your creative gifting juices flowing.

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the perfectionist mom

Is your mom a model of punctuality, the picture of ultimate put-togetherness, the envy of all her friends for how on top of everything she always is? Then you’ve got yourself a perfectionist mom.

If that’s the case, then she’ll probably love things that will keep her organized, such as tote bags, planners, jewelry boxes, and recipe boxes.

And sure, you want to make her something that comes straight for the heart, but her exacting standards can be tough to meet. That’s when you turn to the professionals. Send your mom a Mother’s Day Coffee and Cookies Gift Box, an Elegant Heart Wreath, or a Brunch Gift Box (because why make brunch when it could be delivered?).

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the stylish mom

Your mother is always on trend, from the decor in her home to the clothes she wears. She’s a stylish mom, and the gift (or gifts) you get her should match her sense of high fashion.

One idea for Mother’s Day is taking her on a shopping spree to her favorite store — funded by you and your family, of course. A subscription service is also an excellent choice. Whether it’s for home goods, fashionable apparel, or high-end luxury items, a regular refresher of chic must-haves will be the gift that keeps on giving.

There’s also nothing quite like a luxurious flower arrangement to let your mom know you care — the more exotic, the better. And roses, whether preserved or made of Waterford glass, are always a stylish choice, indeed.

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the BFF mom

Your mom is your go-to gal. You call her several times a day just to chat, and she is the first person you talk to when something — good or bad — happens. She’s your BFF, and that means your Mother’s Day gift needs to have a sentimental feel to it.

One suggestion is a customized bracelet or another piece of jewelry. Another is to set up a stellar experience to share with her: Whether it’s indoor skydiving, a trip to the beach, a cooking class, or an epic camping adventure, your BFF mom will love it as long as you’re experiencing it with her.

And if your mom is anything like yours, we know she’ll enjoy indulging in some cheesecake bites and chocolate covered berries after your day of bonding. They’re the perfect way to end the perfect day with your best friend.

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the creative mom

Your mom is always letting her imagination run wild. She’s got killer ideas and always pursues them on her own, and she isn’t afraid to express herself in a multitude of ways. In short, you have a creative mom, and for her you need gifts that make it easier for her to show her true colors to the world.

Whether you want to surprise Mom with an artistic addition — such as a paint-by-numbers set (now with wine!), crochet kit, new watercolors, or DIY project — or put together a celebration that speaks to her personality (a mimosa brunch bar, perhaps?), we encourage you to look outside the box for this present.

You can also buy her a list of supplies for a new project she’s been dying to try. Nothing says “I love you, my creative mother” like setting her up for success on her latest artistic endeavor.

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the home baker mom

The kitchen is your mom’s happy place. No matter the time of day, you’re likely to find her covered in flour, surrounded by mixers, bowls, and measuring cups, removing yet another perfect-looking (and, no doubt, tasting) treat from the oven. The woman lives to bake.

And while she probably has most of the tools she needs to make just about any bread, pie, or cake, we’re guessing she could use a few extra things to spice up her already impressive collection. Replace that tattered old apron with one adorned with the faces of Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose. Get her a retro kitchen timer in the shape of a big, ol’ gobbler.

And for the Francophile, there’s a macaron baking kit. She’ll be whipping up these yummy — not to mention beautiful to look at — French delights in no time!

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the outdoorsy mom 

Your mom is one of those nature-loving people who’s always ready for the next outdoor adventure. Whether it’s hiking her favorite trails, spending a weekend camping by the lake, or going for a leisurely bike ride, she is someone who loves to stay active.

This Mother’s Day, equip her with the tools she needs to make every excursion last a little bit longer — like a personalized stainless steel and bamboo water bottle, custom camp mugs, or her very own monogrammed picnic blanket

You could also tap into her sentimental side with a gift that highlights her love for the outdoors, such as a national parks leather journal, a wild camping and glamping essentials bundle, or an “Adventure Is Out There” necklace

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the gardening mom

Your mom is always out tending to her garden. Whether she’s gently nurturing her finicky tomato plant or tucking in her flower beds before a big freeze, she’s got the greenest of green thumbs. 

Consider cute gifts to make her garden a little brighter, such as a garden birdfeeder or adorable outdoor flower pots. Bring a little pizzazz to her gardening routine with a personalized garden tote for her tools and supplies.  

A mini reminder of her favorite pastime is an especially thoughtful gift. Tiny indoor gardens she can tend to — such as the Enchanted Fairy Succulent Garden or Welcome Gnome Succulent Garden — will feed her passion during those months when the weather outside is frightful.

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the wellness mom 

When it comes to health and fitness, your mom is all in. She can often be found listening to a podcast on healthy living, trying the latest exercise craze, or deciding which fruits to pop into her juicer.

In short? Wellness makes her world go around — and her Mother’s Day gift should reflect that. Upgrade her healthy food fixation with an H&D Fruit Subscription Box or monthly wild caught seafood subscription.

Bring a little sentimentality to her fitness kick with a personalized smartwatch photo charm; when she looks down to check her steps, she’ll see a photo of the two of you. Or, help her ensure she stays hydrated with a 64-ounce insulated water bottle that keeps her refreshed throughout the day.

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the sentimental mom

Your mom loves an heirloom and anything nostalgic. She’s always excited to add a meaningful memento to her collection, is quick to shed a tear about sentimental moments, and never misses an opportunity to document memories that make her smile.

Keepsakes are a must for this kind of mom. Classic jewelry — such as a Pave Heart Necklace or 14k Gold Louise Lariat necklace — she can cherish and wear time and time again is sure to be adored forever. Another idea? An arrangement of magnificent roses in the shape of the word “Mom.” She’s sure to remember this indelible gift long after the flowers are gone (which can be up to a whole year after she gets them!).

Mother’s Day gift ideas for the Disney mom

Ever since she was a little girl, your mom has been a die-hard Disney fan. Still today, she’s always on the lookout for another Disney doodad to add to her ever-growing collection of memorabilia.

If sending her to the Magic Kingdom for the day isn’t on the table, opt for the next best thing — a not-so-Goofy Disney Mother’s Day gift that celebrates her love for the House of Mouse.

An a-DOG-able Disney Mickey Mouse bouquet in time for Mother’s Day is the ultimate gift for a Disney-loving mom. For a Disney gift that will satisfy her sweet tooth, consider the Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake & Berries bundle. (You can even add a Mickey Mouse plush to up the Mickey quotient!) Want to give her the best daily reminder of how much she’s loved? A Mickey Mouse & Friends Cookie Jar & Cookies will do the trick. 

Mother’s Day gift ideas for grandmothers 

Your grandmother deserves special recognition on this day, too. Whether she offered motherly support in more ways than one or is simply a person you admire and adore, your grandma should be included in the Mother’s Day festivities. 

Consider gifts that show her how appreciated she is, such as a Dear Grandmother Eternity Necklace, a symbol of your unending love for her. Another way to show your gratitude  — and that you’re thinking of her always — is with a gift box subscription of snacks, sweets, wine, or even flowers. That way, she’ll get a thoughtful reminder every month of just how much she means to you!

Non-traditional Moms Gift Guide: Celebrating Moms of All Kinds

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, which means it’s time to think about how you will honor the special women in your life. Retailers are filled with cards and keepsakes that bear the words “mom” and “mother,” but what about gifts for all the non-traditional moms you know?

gifts for non traditional moms with young daughter kissing mom with flowers

These are the incredible ladies who have touched our lives as stepmoms, bonus moms, aunts, grandmas, mothers-in-law, coaches, neighbors, mentors, and trusted confidants. They may have stepped in when our own mothers could not or supported us in ways that have enriched our lives for the better.

Foster mothers take kids into their homes for a temporary period of time, but their impact can last a lifetime. “It’s different to be a foster mom on Mother’s Day because I think sometimes people don’t know how to define your role,” says foster mother Katie Hughes of Portland, Oregon. “But, ultimately, foster moms are moms, and we wholeheartedly love our kids and the role we play in their lives.”

Jillana Goble, foster mother and author of the book “No Sugar-Coating: The Coffee Talk You Need about Foster Parenting,” tells us, “Though we give them our all while they are in our home and around our table, we know the ultimate hope of foster care is that they will be able to be safe with their parent again. One child in my care acknowledged this by stating in a letter ‘To my favorite foster mom,’ and that felt special to me.”

Although foster moms and all the special non-traditional mothers out there will tell you that they do what they do out of love, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show them how much you appreciate them.

thoughtful note or card is a great place to start, and we’ve put together a list of some other gift ideas for non-traditional moms that will warm their hearts.

Mother’s Day gift ideas for non-traditional moms 

gifts for non traditional moms Sweet Spring Lilies for Mothers Day

Sweet Spring Lilies for Mother’s Day

Imagine her face as she discovers this beautiful bouquet at her door. This gift includes a lovely arrangement of lilies gathered in a timeless milk jug. She’ll also get a classic sun catcher to display in her window.

gifts for non traditional moms Youre the Best Treats Pail

You’re the Best Treats Pail

Surprise your “bonus mom” with a bucket of cookies that will satisfy her sweet tooth. This gift features 17 delicious delights in all, including eight different varieties of cookies. She’ll love the darling reusable pail, too.

gifts for non traditional moms Two Dozen Assorted Roses

Two Dozen Assorted Roses

If you’re looking for a gift with a “wow” factor, look no further than this vibrant collection of roses. For an even sweeter touch, add a small box of chocolates to accompany your bouquet.

gifts for non traditional moms Cactus Dish Garden

Cactus Dish Garden

We know she’ll find a good spot in her home for this Southwestern-style dish garden, which features an easy-to-care-for assortment of cacti and succulents.

gifts for non-traditional moms Love is Brewing Teapot

Love Is Brewing Teapot

If you have enjoyed talking with your “other mother” over a cup of tea, you’ll want to gift her this teapot you can personalize with a special message. It comes with an infuser insert, and we think she’ll love the turquoise color.

gifts for non traditional moms Azalea Bonsai

Azalea Bonsai

Show her she’s one-of-a-kind with this unique Mother’s Day gift. The Satsuki azalea bonsai blooms pink flowers in late spring and sports glossy green leaves all year long.

Succulent Fruit & Snacks Tower

Sweet-tasting fruit and treats, along with some savory snacks, are piled high in this impressive tower. She’ll enjoy pears and oranges, caramel corn and peanut brittle, cheddar cheese and summer sausage, and many more delights to make her taste buds happy.

gifts for non-traditional moms with classic budding rose

Classic Budding Rose

Your appreciation is in full bloom with our pink rose plant. Designed in an elegant planter with a sweet floral design, this gift brings a nostalgic touch to any sunny spot in the home. It also includes calming Camille Beckman hand lotion in a signature floral fragrance and a rose-scented Yankee Candle.

“Mother’s Day is a chance to recognize that a lot of women do a lot of collective loving and nurturing and making the world go round through offering children stability,” Goble says. “The responsibilities of motherhood are great and, as any experienced mom knows, can be thankless, so while chocolates and flowers on Mother’s Day are not expected, they’re always appreciated.”

Amazing Moms Who Are Making a Difference: Dina Colombo

When Dina Colombo’s freshman son told her what happened at his high school wellness day in the spring of 2018, she was stunned. “Mom, we had this guy talking to us, and he was totally marketing the Juul,” he told her. The rep had taken out a Juul vape to show her son and his friends, who said he told them, “This is the iPhone of vaping. It’s totally safe, and the FDA is going to approve it any day.”

dina colombo with representative tom suozzi
Dina Colombo (left) and fellow PAVe member Dorian Fuhrman (right) with then-Congressman Thomas Suozzi.

Two friends had gone home to tell their parents and soon the three moms were on the phone together. They researched vaping, and what they discovered shocked them. “The nicotine in one device is equivalent to one to two packs of cigarettes,” Colombo explains. “So while the vape may not have tobacco, it has a high concentration of nicotine.”

The form of nicotine is designed specifically for a smooth inhale, “and then you get like an instant high because there’s such a rush of nicotine in the nicotine salts. It hits the bloodstream and the brain faster, which makes it more addictive,” Colombo describes. “They were not stupid when they created it; they knew what they were doing.”

Colombo, who sits on the board of directors at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., knew she needed to create something too. She, along with two other mothers of students from the high school, formed an inspiring alliance to take on Big Tobacco and the vaping industry.

Spreading the word on vaping

In October 2018 — six months after that assembly with the JUUL rep, which was the impetus to launch Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes (PAVe) — the moms corralled experts and set up an informational meeting called “We Got JUULed” and some 250 parents showed up.

The three sons and moms also took their concerns about the proliferation of vaping to a meeting with the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C. The boys told the FDA that people were using JUULs in bathrooms at school and charging vape cartridges via their laptops because they look like USB sticks. Kids were even vaping in the classrooms — there’s clothing designed to disguise vapes. “So they kind of educated the FDA on this,” Colombo says.

Today, PAVe is a national advocacy nonprofit run mostly by volunteers to educate parents and kids about the dangers of vaping. And those dangers are real, despite misinformation campaigns online. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nicotine “can harm the developing adolescent brain” and “Using nicotine during adolescence might also increase the risk for future addiction to other drugs.”

In 2019, PAVe worked with then-mayor Bill DiBlasio and other politicians to support the bill banning flavored vapes in New York City, which went into effect in 2020. “Getting the bill passed was the proudest moment,” Colombo says. “We like to say Big Tobacco and JUUL messed with the wrong moms!”

Balancing and prioritizing

Colombo is partner, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of GreyLion, a private equity firm in New York City, and she’s passionate about her work. She’s also devoted to her two college-age kids and her large Italian family on Long Island. Her husband, Gregg, is from a big, close family too, so there are lots of get-togethers.

When you sit down and talk with Colombo, you notice right away that she oozes calm. She’s friendly, and you feel you know her, even if you haven’t met before. How does she find time for everything and seem so relaxed?

“I think that if there’s a secret, it’s just to constantly reprioritize what’s on your plate,” she says. “And I think it’s important to show my kids that you’re passionate about work and you’re passionate about things outside of work.

Dina Colombo and family at the beach.
All smiles! Dina and her family: husband Gregg (left) and children Luke and Sabrina. 

“You have to be really honest with yourself on what matters to you and your family and work,” she adds, “and recognize that you can’t be in two places — or work on two things — at the same time.”

When you ask Colombo how she recharges, she says it’s with family. “One of the things we love to do when we’re all home is something called ‘I Love New York Day.’ We just walk around town, we’ll try something new — it’s an unplanned day. We love the Rangers, the Yankees, and will go to a Knicks game if we can,” she explains. “’I Love New York Day’ is something that we cherish, and we always have, since the kids were little.”

Mother’s Day Dessert Board Featuring Truffle Brownie Cookies

We love a good board around here, and we bet you’re in on the trend too. In “Board Games,” learn to level up your Sunday brunch, create a holiday board with all your favorite cookies, or style a cheese board for a night in — we have tips for creating all of them. This Mother’s Day dessert board from Heather Templeton of Heather’s Home Bakery features a brownie cookie made with melted down dark chocolate truffles.

I just love Harry & David’s truffles. They are the dreamiest candy, all dressed up, and decadent to their very core. I reside in Southern Oregon where Harry & David originated, so its products have been a part of my life since I was a child. My favorite candy of theirs was always the truffle, so this Mother’s Day, they seemed like a great way to celebrate and bring back some fond memories.

Since truffles melt down easily, I decided to use them in a decadent cookie recipe that is part of a big Mother’s Day dessert board. I used the truffles to make a dark chocolate reduction that I then mixed into the cookie batter, making these cookies deep, rich, and impossible to resist.

Making the truffle brownie cookies

The truffles

I reduced the truffles by melting them and whisking to a smooth, deliciously drip-worthy consistency. This is the only chocolate that these cookies need, and trust me when I say, the truffle flavor shines through brilliantly. Just make sure you check the chocolate often when using the microwave (or melt them slowly over low heat if using the stove), since chocolate can burn easily.

The cookies

In addition to the melted truffles, there are only seven other simple ingredients needed to create these little chocolate gems. The cookies bake up perfectly soft and are wonderful eaten plain or dipped in melted chocolate. You could even add some fruit and ice cream to the top and turn it into a base for a delightful sundae.

truffle brownie cookies with chocolate drizzle

The substitutes

Avoiding gluten or dairy shouldn’t hinder your Mother’s Day surprise. These are the substitutions for gluten- and dairy-free diets that I always have in the pantry.

Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour is a wonderful all-purpose sub, and it’s cup for cup, so you can use the same measurements as you would all-purpose flour.

Miyokos Butter is a plantbased brick that closely resembles dairy butter not only in its look, but its taste as well. It melts, browns, and spreads just like real butter, and substitutes great in this recipe. Use it as a 1:1 ratio sub, same as the flour, so the recipe measurements will not change.

The truffles contain dairy, so those allergic should be aware of this. Those simply wanting to limit the amount of dairy should note there is 1/2 cup of truffle reduction in the entire recipe.

The dessert board

I used these cookies as part of a beautiful Mother’s Day dessert boardbecause why give Mom one dessert for Mother’s Day when she can have a whole array of her favorite goodies? To create this board, you’ll need the following Harry & David treats:

mother's day dessert board
  • Homemade truffle brownie cookies (Recipe below)
  • Raspberry and blackberry galettes (THE best store-bought cookies to ever exist. Period)
  • Chocolate hazelnut wafer rolls (Perfect for dipping in Mom’s morning coffee)
  • Chocolate dipped almond biscotti (Also perfect for dipping… in Mom’s 2nd coffee of the day)
  • Limited edition truffles (Go for the strawberry ones. They are magnificent!)
  • Hazelnut coffee spoons (These hard candy spoons are a perfect pop of flavor in any hot drink)
  • Lemon almonds (Sooo refreshing… can a nut be refreshing? Because this one definitely is.)
  • Milk chocolate enrobed apricots (Real fruit candy. Need I say more?)
  • Melted dark chocolate truffles (They make for the BEST melted chocolate)
  • Blueberries (Because every dessert board needs a spot of fruit, both for a pop of color and a palate cleanser between rich desserts)

Putting it all together

Dessert boards may appear challenging, but they are very easy to create. Begin with selecting an array of goodies that complement each other with similar flavorsFor this board, my theme was chocolate.

dessert board with cookies, fruit, and flowers

Start with your main items, which are the homemade cookies in this case. But the main item can be whatever Mom’s favorite treat is or what you want the focus of the board to be. There are no true rules to this. Give the cookies “center stage” so they draw the eye. You can add a few extra in a different spot to create balance across the board, like how I put a few on the second, smaller plate to create some cohesion.

Then arrange the other treats around your focal points. Don’t worry about it looking perfect — there’s no “right” way to build a board — but it is pleasing to the eye if you create a balanced look again by placing the same or similar treats on each side of the board. For example, I used wafer rolls on both sides, but arranged them in different directions. I also used truffles and berry galettes, but put them in different spots and used different flavors and colors. If it begins to feel cluttered, simply remove an item. You can always create the board again if (or more likely when) all the treats are eaten.

Add some greenery and florals to give it a fresh, vibrant feel and match the season. The most important thing is to have fun and make it your own. As long as it has all of Mom’s favorite treats, it’ll be the perfect Mother’s Day surprise.

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