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Nothing. Your mom "doesn't want anything for Mother's Day." It's probably true—she likely just wants loving acknowledgement in the form of a hug or a phone call (not a text, you grown-up), but why not surprise her with something a little more dreamy? We polled ten very different women on what they'd love to be treated to for Mother's Day. Read their answers below, as well as some of our ideas on how to make each your own.
Nicole
Mom to Grover (two) and Caleb (four months), founder of The Splendid Spoon, and Brooklyn, NY resident.
"My absolute ideal gift is a custom fragrance experience from CB I Hate Perfume. I should have done it the year my first son was born, and I hope to do it this year to mark my second son's birth. I love that fragrance is so closely tied to memory, and it's my dream to have a fragrance memory capsule so I can sniff and remember the early days of motherhood."
Make it your own: Those in New York can gift an in-person appointment at CB I Hate Perfume (full FAQ and booking details here). Nova also offers a custom scent bar experience for up to ten people (starting at $142 per person) in New York. LA locals should check out our guide to the city's whopping seven custom fragrance options. Commodity Goods offers a solid online option: Gift a trio ($48) and mom can sample ten scents at home with the company's Fitting Kit, then request 10-milliliter vials of her three favorite, so she can layer a personal blend daily.
Deb
Mom to Max (five), founder and CEO of Adoptimism in New York City.
"The gift I want has a hefty price tag but, hey, dream big: I would love a Peloton Cycle. As a single mom with a full-time job it's impossible for me to make it to spin classes at the gym. An in-home bike with streaming spin classeswould be awesome and somewhat life-changing."
Make it your own: The Peloton Cycle will run you just under $2,000, plus $39 per month for streaming classes. Our 2015 rundown of the best streaming workouts offers seven different at-home regimens, starting at just $5.
Jennifer
Mom to Antonio Aidan (eight) and Los Angeles-based public relations director.
"I would absolutely love a Kelly Wearstler Souffle cocktail chair in pink for Mother's Day. I have a small, chandelier-lit room in the corner of our house that is 'Mom's room,' and this would be the perfect seat to sink into with a glass of Pinot and one of my yet-to-be read books."
Make it your own: Copy Jennifer's wish list item with Kelly Wearstler's Souffle Cocktail Chair to the tune of $5,900. For something a little more affordable, a handful of vintage styles are available online, including a 1970s chair priced at $372.
Julia
Mom to Alex (22) and Rachel (19) in Boston, MA, splitting time between working as a dentist at the VA Hospital and with The Philanthropy Connection.
"It's been a long winter here in Boston. I would love garden pots professionally planted by Terrain, followed by lunch at their yummy cafe, and a trip to The White Flower Farm Nursery to purchase herbs and flowers for my garden."
Make it your own: Terrain's web store ships bulbs and potted plants among other gifts for gardeners (or green-thumb admirers)—check out their dedicated Mother's Day edit for a no-brainer selection. The Sill also offers careful nationwide delivery (from $40) of interesting house plants and succulents in handsome pots.
Stephanie
First-time expecting mother due July 25 and founder of Middleberg Nutrition in New York City.
"I cannot wait to get back to running. I stopped around five-and-a-half months into my pregnancy, but it's my number one form of stress release. With a busy schedule, running is the easiest way to get a workout in! Knowing time will be at an even greater premium when the little one arrives, a jogging stroller will enable me to run while being with him. My husband is a runner too, so this will allow our whole family to be together, outside, doing something we love."
Make it your own: Stephanie's top pick is the Bob Revolution SE jogger stroller ($370). The Baby Jogger City Mini 2014 (from $190) is a good lower price-point option, while the Bugaboo Bee3 ($719) is the splurge buy.
Suzanne
Mom to Alex (28), Julia (26), and Claire (23), splitting time between Hinsdale, IL and Ponte Vedra, FL.
"When people ask what I would like for any occasion, I always reply 'nothing,' but I do have a singular pipe dream/bucket list scenario that would bring me great joy. I am an armchair devotee of all things relating to the North Pole—I would love to take my family there.
Historically, you had to attach yourself as a functioning member of a scientific Arctic expedition to tag along. Alas, my skill set is lacking, although I am able to prepare meals for large crowds! I have found an amazing excursion aboard a nuclear ice cutter which originates in Helsinki and terminates with you—me!—standing at 90 degrees north. The only caveat is that it is a full two-week trip, and that is likely far too long for those family members who are gainfully employed to be absent. In a perfect world, that would be my greatest gift ever. On a more practical level I am now starting to think about the South Pole..."
Make it your own: Suzanne's bucket list voyage goes for around $25,000 per person (a cruise to the South Pole starts at around $12,000). For something a little closer to that armchair, there's always the Planet Earth series and some good-old fashioned TV bonding time (leave your phone in the other room).
Christina
Stay-at-home mom to Cash (six) and Indigo (seven months) in Saukville, WI.
"What do I want? A couple of hours alone with no one touching me, talking to me, climbing me, 'Mooooom'-ing me. A bottle of champagne and a facial wouldn't hurt."
Make it your own: Two options here: A) Send her to her favorite spa and arrange to have a glass of champagne waiting before she steps in for her service, which you've covered, gratuity included, in advance. B) Get the kids the heck out of the house and have a bottle of bubbly sent via Drizly, which operates in 14 US cities, or customize a Glassful wine gift box (from $45). Next, hook her up with an indulgent mask—Glossier's mask duo ($22 each) and Givenchy's Black Mask ($86) are among our current faves.
Kim
Mom to Chris (31), Nate (27), Ben (23), and Sami (18); mother-in-law to Liz (30) and Erika (23); grandma to Titus (six months); and school nurse in Erie, PA.
"My three oldest live quite a distance from me and my youngest—my only girl—will be leaving for college in the fall. My fondest Mother's Day memories are from when my children were still at home, with a tradition of breakfast in bed that usually ended with the whole crew, crumbs and all, in my bed! I would love to recreate this with a breakfast in bed gift basket combined with an early morning group Skype call."
Make it your own: Ship mom a breakfast-y gift basket (Kim recommends Pemberton Farms, which has options starting at $40), or arrange to have her favorite restaurant or local bakery deliver. If she isn't already set up to video chat, get her onboard with FaceTime, Skype, and/or a webcam. The one-time hassle of walking her through the technology will be rewarded when she lights up seeing your face on screen.
Samantha
Mom to Elin (five months) and Could I Have That? blogger living in Los Angeles.
"I'm a sucker for anything and everything by Jennifer Fisher. She makes the greatest personalized pieces, which I've been collecting over the years. I'm coveting this customizable cuff with my daughter's birthdate."
Make it your own: Jennifer Fisher's diamond date cuff starts at $4,500. For something more subtle, check out Lulu Frost's code words collection (from $92), which was inspired by Victorian acrostic jewelry and uses the first letter of each gemstone to "spell" out a secret message. Catbird Jewelry's stackable necklace (from $38) allows you to build a custom piece over time, like a charm bracelet, but with a sleek combo of engraved moons and stars.
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