Mother’s Day Gifts That Help Keep Mama Reading
Mother’s Day Gift Guides are alarmingly limited. It makes sense. The title of mother is too broad to cover. Gifts for people who have taken care of children? Yeah, that’s a lot of people. I’ve listed these Mother’s Day gift ideas from my perspective as an avid reader and caregiver of a young child, and a pregnant person. Read on to get some ideas for the mothers in your life who always have a book on their nightstand, no matter what that book may be.
What do you get for a reader? The answer should be books, right? Sure, but what about the reader’s dusty TBR pile? What about someone with incredibly specific interests? And do you really want the newest spicy Romantasies? Do you really want to get involved in your mother’s imaginary love life? Of course, finding the right book can be a major score. As a pregnant lady with macabre interests in apocalyptic events, I’d be pumped to get a copy of Emma Pattee’s debut novel, Tilt. But if you want to give a mother in your life something that she’ll appreciate for years to come, we might want to start by thinking off the bookshelf.
Why a Wearable Reading Light Makes a Great Mother’s Day Gift
While sentimental gifts are nice, moms still have wants outside of their status as caregivers. A Mother’s Day gift that supports their interests lets them know that someone sees past the peanut butter stains on their shirt and the fact that they spend the majority of their evenings picking up toys and packing cold lunches.
I’ve been wanting one of these sweet wearable reading lights since I was a new mom trying to read Karen Russell’s Orange World while nursing my kiddo at three in the morning. How else was I supposed to stay off social media and stay awake until he was safely back in his crib? After the night feeding ended, I thought that the purchase would have been unnecessary. But midnight shifts with my self-proclaimed big kid happen.
For instance, on Saturday evening, after a day of too much sugar and too little napping, I sat with my kiddo reading Until The End of Time, a book on physics and the vastness of the universe, to my kid by flashlight. It was dry enough to send my kid to sleep, interesting enough to keep me awake, and an extremely effective method where songs or dino stories failed. I used my kid’s “anti-nightmare” flashlight to work my way through Brian Greene’s description of… what was I even reading about? Anyway, long story short, as I balanced the dim flashlight on my knees, I found myself wishing for a rechargeable hands-free reading light for the hundredth time. Safe to say, it’ll get a lot of use.
What a Mom Might Need In A Reading Light
Is it obvious that I’m speaking from experience? Here are a few of the attributes that I appreciate as a mom who reads:
- Hands-free: It can be slipped around the neck so books can be illuminated hands-free, which is key if you’re also juggling a nursing baby in the crook of your arm. The back piece is wide so that you can doze off while reading without a cable digging into the back of your neck.
- A note on clip-on book lights: they require the use of one to two hands at each page turn. They’re basically unusable, wrecking paperbacks and wrinkling the pages of that library book you’ve sworn to protect. I’d honestly rather use a flashlight.
- Warm light: This reading light has three tone options, but the most important option for readers is the nice warm light that’s soft on the eyes when you’re reading in a dark room and won’t wake up a toddler who needs you to sleep with him because he’s fighting yet another cold.
- Rechargeable: Who the heck has a triple-A battery on hand? You can power up this reading light with a USB-C cable and use it for up to 80 hours. It also has power indicators letting you know when you need to charge it, long before you’re left in the dark.
Mother’s Day Gifts for Library Moms
Moms who go to the library LOVE the library. The library allows us to set our kids down and let them explore a little. Libraries buy us some quiet time while kids play with the train set or sit in beanbag chairs and look at a pile of books. Not only do they provide the family-friendly community space that we desperately need, but they also let us pick out a little something for ourselves FOR FREE. So yeah, if you know a library mom, get her some library merch. She’ll be pumped to flaunt her love of the library, even if it’s not story hour day.
Gift Ideas For Mom’s Who Are Building a Cozy Home Library
Does the mom in your life have a little reading nook? A home library doesn’t have to be a whole room; it can just be a chair and a table light. Artwork is a great way to set the scene, making it easy for readers to sink into a plot. The Lancelot Print is a great pick for moms who are still talking about The Pillars of the Earth series. Moms who follow Kristin Hannah religiously might prefer something light and romantic, beckoning them into a whirlwind war drama.
One of my friends has the coziest reading nook that I have ever seen. She’s got a little loveseat banked by windows, accompanied by a lovely gallery wall with mismatched frames. I think of her library when I tag prints in my Etsy shop with cozy reading nook and gallery wall. I’ll always stand by my belief that artwork is too often overlooked when it comes to Mother’s Day. You can find plenty of reading nook inspiration in my Etsy shop, here.
If a mother is building a lending library, you could also consider gifting her a book stamp, making it more likely that she’ll get her books back. They are customizable and can be quite beautiful, adding value to a well-thought-out collection. If the mama in your life is a book collector, a book stamp or embosser is where it’s at!
Gift Mama The Ultimate Evening of Reading with a Tea Tray
Readers who drink tea should experience the luxury of having a hot pot of tea next to them as they read. As I’ve mentioned, I’m brewing up a baby at the moment, so I have to give up my coffee habit. Well, I’m down to the recommended one cup a day. In recognition of this sacrifice, I recently purchased myself a vintage teapot from a thrift store. My husband and I have greatly enjoyed pouring ourselves cups of herbal tea in the living room after bedtime. A whole pot of tea is a luxury that can make yet another night at home feel like a core memory. A really cute tea tray can make it easy and picturesque to bring everything needed to the preferred reading area. Because, let’s be honest, accessories are everything.
Mother’s Day Tea Bundle
Now, if you’re planning on going above and beyond, consider making a bundled Mother’s Day gift. That way, your book-loving mama will have all the accessories for a night of tea drinking and book reading. I’ll include a list of Mother’s Day gift bundle ideas below. I’m sure the cozy mama in your life will love it.
- Tea: Do a little research before buying tea for pregnant tea drinkers. Ensure herbal teas are caffeine-free and safe for pregnancy. Ask around at your local tea seller or coop. As someone gestating a child, I drink a lot of Chamomile, Chai, and Sweet Cinnamon tea. Peppermint tea is safe once a mom has passed the first trimester. Make sure you’re choosing organic teas, as standard tea can be high in potentially harmful chemicals.
- Little tea bag plate: Need a use for those tiny, cute plates seen in pottery displays at art fairs? Now you have a reason to buy them! These plates are a cute way to ensure that used tea bags won’t make a mess.
- Snacky-snackies: What’s a Mother’s Day without a little indulgence? You know what the mama in your life likes. Go get it!
- A cool tea set: You know what they have in abundance at thrift stores? Super cute tea sets. I got a brown ombre teapot from the early eighties to match my brown diner-style mugs. Boy, was I living the Insta-friendly hygge life this winter.
- A tea cozy: An old-fashioned tea cozy is where it’s at for those who want to go full cottage core!
And Yeah, All the Books
Of course, it’s true. If you want to get a gift for a book lover, books are a great way to go. Get the lowdown on the newest releases and trending books. Check out the podcast Book Riot for bookish Mother’s Day gift ideas. The hosts go into what’s flying off the bookshelves and why. They even have episodes dedicated to book recommendations for book giving. You just might up your book gifting game. I know what book I want to buy my mom this Mother’s Day because of their nerdy lit talk. I can’t share it here because she’s a supportive lady who reads most of my blogs. Hi Mom!
Can’t think of a specific book to purchase as a Mother’s Day gift? Consider skipping the big box bookstore gift card, opting for a ThriftBooks gift card. She’ll be able to buy all the books on her TBR (to be read) list and earn reward points. Pair this with an artistic, high-quality bookmark for an easy-to-mail, easy-to-enjoy gift that’ll make her feel seen and cared for.
Get it for Your Mama
Hopefully, you’re going into this Mother’s Day feeling inspired to recognize the mothers in your life, beyond their caregiving capacity. Maybe you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift for the mother of your children. Or you’re searching for the right way to let your own mom know you care. Hey, maybe the librarian who’s stepped into the role of community mother in your town deserves a Mother’s Day gesture. Either way, if you found an idea that the mama in your life appreciated, let me know! Check out my Etsy shop to purchase a Mother’s Day gift for the book lover in your life. There’s nothing better than making a fellow mama happy!