30+ Mother’s Day gifts New York City moms will love
April showers bring a bounty of Mother’s Day brunches, blooms, and bling to dazzle deserving moms. New York City mothers are a sophisticated bunch, into music, art, design, or culinary excellence. Below, you’ll find our hand-picked list of ideas–gifts, events, and experiences–to help make your favorite NYC mom’s day.
All of these products have been hand-selected by Team 6sqft. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these affiliate links. All prices reflect those at the time of publishing.
For music-loving moms
“My Name is Barbra” is the 2023 biography by beloved singer–and quintessential New Yorker–Barbra Streisand. La Streisand herself does the reading on the audiobook version; we’re guessing mom is a fan.
Billy Joel–another iconic New Yorker–plans to close out his epic residency at Madison Square Garden this July. The last run of performances includes one on Thursday, May 9, and if your favorite mom is a fan of the Piano Man, it’s likely to be an unforgettable experience.
If Mom’s a classical fan, you don’t have to splash out for a night at the symphony; chamber music or a baroque performance in an intimate venue is a perfect way to enjoy local talent and beautiful sound. The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will present “Songs and Snow,” on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Alice Tully Hall; Midtown Music is offering an afternoon performance of “Medieval Voices–Music and Poetry of the 14th and 15th Centuries” at St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church on May 9 at 1:15 p.m.; pianist/composer Ian Hobson will perform Robert Schumann Cycle: “Schumann for Three, Four, and Five” at the Tenri Cultural Institute of New York on Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
If your mom likes old-school vinyl and owns–or wants to grow–an impressive collection, a subscription to a record-of-the-month club like Vinyl Me Please may be just the thing. This vintage-style turntable-in-a-suitcase takes the music anywhere; built-in Bluetooth speakers handle the sound–including audio from a smartphone–with no extra equipment required. A pair of noise-canceling headphones can help tune out the unwanted noise. Good headphones don’t have to cost a fortune; this highly recommended pair comes in a cool baby blue, too.
Artful gifts, classes, and events
Art-loving moms love a museum day; why not make art part of their permanent collection with museum works on printed pages? “Whitney Handbook of the Collection,” is a reference volume that highlights the Whitney Museum of American Art’s collection, featuring iconic pieces by Calder, Hopper, Johns, O’Keeffe, and Warhol and remarkable works by lesser luminaries. It’s a display-worthy refresher on modern and contemporary American art. For the Renowned Artist Book Set collection, Juniper Books curated volumes from the Basic Art series by Taschen, featuring artists from a variety of backgrounds, styles, and movements.
Make your own watercolor memories with this portable Italian linen watercolor set from The Met. Wrapped in a chic folding pouch, the set includes 12 Schmincke watercolors, three sable brushes, an artist’s cloth, a water bottle, and a pad of Fabriano acid-free Italian watercolor paper.
The best art deserves a good frame. Framebridge provides an opportunity to chose the best frames for your favorite graphics, posters or any other art you’d like to add to your personal gallery. A gift card is a great way to inspire Mom to finish that gallery wall project she’s been planning.
What better way to get lost in “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch than puzzling over the famous painting in 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle form? And if card games are a house favorite, try “Show Me The Monet: A Card Game for Wheelers and (Art) Dealers” a party game that challenges players to collect and trade masterpieces from Leonardo da Vinci to Frida Kahlo.
If your mom has a creative streak, NYC offers a full menu of crafty classes and workshops to learn a new skill or perfect a lifelong one. Brooklyn’s Craftsman Ave features four-hour stained glass workshops focused on the Tiffany stained glass process and a variety of techniques and
tricks, yielding a unique take-home piece. Pottery Studio 1 offers pottery and ceramics lessons and “family and friends” craft workshops. And what better way to combine New York City’s beauty with fine art than a Picnic in the Park painting class in Central Park?
For foodie moms
Just about every eatery in town will be rolling out a Mother’s Day brunch, but Bellinis and Benedict get new life when enjoyed on a Mother’s Day Brunch cruise aboard a European-style glass-enclosed Bateau. Join City Cruises for an afternoon of amazing views–including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge–and a three-course plated brunch.
New York City-based purveyors of gourmet delights wouldn’t miss Mother’s Day for the world. Gift-ready delicious collections and confections include a Cipriani Food sampler, a curated box of Milk Bar favorites, a cache of macarons from a beloved NYC chocolatier, and a chic lunchbox filled with sophisticated snacks.
The Atlas Coffee Club curates micro-lot beans from Tanzania, Kenya, Colombia, and beyond, with 12 ounces of freshly roasted coffee arriving straight to your door every month. For picky coffee connoisseurs, the wildly popular Ember mug is guaranteed to be the new go-to gadget for keeping that cup at the perfect temperature as long as you savor it.
Raise a glass to Mom’s health–and filter out histamines and sulfites that may aggravate sensitivities. The Wand wine filter is a portable, by-the-glass wine purifier that may alleviate common side effects caused by wine.
Almost-edible candles by Scandles are scandalously reminiscent of the real thing. They look good enough to eat, hand-crafted from soy wax in Los Angeles to look like heirloom tomatoes, ripe avocados, and farm-fresh eggs.
Beyond the bouquet
Instead of sending flowers, join Mom for a hands-on floral experience. The Queens Botanical Garden is hosting a floral design workshop on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. Learn how to hand-gather bouquets fresh from the garden–kids over 10 are welcome, too. For a family flower-arranging class you can do from home, Coursehorse offers a bouquet of virtual floral design classes.
This year promises a return of the Mother’s Day weekend garden party for New York moms at the New York Botanical Garden. Catch the lilacs and daffodils in peak bloom while you mix and mingle with moms from the five boroughs and their families. On May 11 and 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy music, games, picnics, and more, plus collages and crafts against the most beautiful of backdrops.
Local florist The Plant Shed offers floral gifts that go beyond just blooms. A collection of botanical-inspired locally made home goods and gifts–including small-batch candles, chocolate, and cards–to accompany hand-delivered plants and flowers.
For blooms Mom can admire as long as she’d like, Lego flowers always stay bright, and Lego lovers can’t resist the creativity of crafting these quirky blooms.
Escape from the city without leaving town
Though we love New York, the big city is even better when you can catch a well-deserved break. The recently-opened QC NY spa on Governor’s Island is a new way to escape to a pampering oasis with a mere five-minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan, overlooking the city’s magical skyline. Book a massage or choose from over 20 wellness spa experiences. A gift card makes it easy for Mom to plan her escape around her busy schedule.
