Not sure what to buy the mom in your life for Mother’s Day? For some, this question may feel complicated. For me, I think moms are easy to buy for. On this special day when we celebrate our life givers, know that all they want is a little pampering, a little serenity, and a little love.
That’s what makes this most challenging job in the world as a mother worthwhile. Think pretty, think intoxicating aromas, think deep tissue massages, think memorable moments.
This year, I’m going for memorable moments and, like any mother, am handing over my special day to my first-born child – we’ll be at the Taylor Swift concert in Philadelphia! It may have been her dream, but it will be a fun experience the whole family can cherish together!
Moments and memories take priority over possessions for us, but I still LOVE a thoughtful gift. And Mother’s Day in Raleigh is the perfect time for perfect gifts.
We’ve put together a Raleigh Mother’s Day Gift guide for you filled with some of our favorite local Raleigh businesses and products with a feminine focus to suit mothers of all ages and all tastes.
So, if you can’t give them a week-long getaway to a health retreat in Thailand, you have lots of other options to spoil them with gifts here in Raleigh – we also have other ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day in Raleigh so check that out too!
The Flourish Market: Gift Bouquet
If you can’t find a gift for your mother in your life inside The Flourish Market in downtown Raleigh, then I don’t think anyone can help you!
The Flourish Market not only has a wide range of gorgeous (and vibrant) clothing, jewelry, bags, shoes, greeting cards and more, this gift boutique store also has a higher purpose.
When you buy a gift for your mom from here, you’re also supporting over 200+ brands that work to drive positive social change. And you’ll find a gift to suit all budgets.
This 2023 Mother’s Day, The Flourish Market are offering cute DIY gift bouquets.
They’re making your Mother’s Day gift shopping easy with beautiful product options, perfect for the mom and grandma who have everything. The gift bouquets are full of little joys to enjoy, and every product gives back.
You just pick your price point and the gifts from their drop-down menu and leave a gift message. They’ll put it all together and ship it to you or prepare it for pickup.
Craig and the girls know I’ll always be thrilled with a gift from the Flourish Market
Blue Water Spa: A Mom Pick me Up
Craig and I have been enjoying our visits to the Blue Water Spa in North Raleigh over the past few months. It’s a popular place for women in Raleigh, and they’ve won plenty of “best medical spa” awards to prove it’s a worthy gift idea for mothers who love taking care of their bodies.
A gift card is a fantastic option if you’re unsure what service to buy for a Mother’s Day gift.
I recently fell in love with the laser hair removal service. How did I never know that this existed to save me time shaving! I did my underarm and bikini and just had my first follow up session. I didn’t have to shave in between!
Other services that would make a great Mother’s Day gift are their popular Botox and fillers, and their Emsella machine is perfect for mothers suffering the aftereffects of childbirth. Emsella is a pelvic floor strengthening machine that eliminates the need for endless Kegels. All Mom has to do is sit down and read her favorite book. Click here to see Blue Water Spa’s extensive service list.
Woodhouse Spa, North Hills: Body restoration
What do you get for the moms who don’t like collecting possessions? Apart from that Thai retreat, you get them a luxurious treatment for her body and soul.
We recently experienced a fantastic couples massage at the new Woodhouse Spa in North Hills and are happy to recommend them in this gift guide.
Woodhouse Spa has thought of all the moms in Raleigh – and beyond – with this special Mother’s Day package:
“Mom’s Woodhouse Escape” $375
- 80-minute Body Balance Massage
- 50-minute Illuminate Facial
- Includes a complimentary Lavender Neck Pillow, valued at $50!
You must purchase this package in the store! And check out these things to do in North Hills while there! And if you’re not sure whether the mother in your life will like this package, you can purchase a gift card.
BONUS GIFT CARD
For every $200 E-Gift Card purchased, receive a bonus $25 E-Gift card. Use code: NH2023. Purchase gift cards via the website: northhills.woodhousespas.com.
NOTE: (Online E-Gift Only. Bonus gift cards expire after 12 weeks. (Regular gift cards never expire). Code must be entered to receive bonus gift cards. We are unable to provide refunds. Bonus gift cards may be used only on regular-priced services and retail and cannot be applied toward packages or series. Offer valid at North Hills location only).
No matter your gift option, be sure to tell Mom to carve out extra time to enjoy the relaxing lounge that comes with mimosas or relaxing teas. Just lying on their luxuriously soft chaise lounges is a gift!
Rose & Lee: Stylish Handbag
Like Flourish Market, Rose & Lee in Apex is another favorite store of mine and given its close location to my home, it’s where I frequently pop in when in need of a new outfit for an event, or a gift for someone special in my life.
From a vibrant clothing range to elegant jewelry and fun gifts, Rose & Lee sells incredible brands that have their own mission of change and empowerment, from sustainability to human rights. I love how affordable their prices are too. And all their staff are fantastic at helping you find what you need.
Here is the green dress, they helped me choose for our recent CBS 17 TV segment on My Carolina!
A simple gift card from here for a Mother’s Day gift would warm my heart and thrill me. Rose & Lee are running a promotion from May 5-7 where all bags will be 20% off as a way for moms to treat themselves or to help make gifting for mom easy!
Videri Chocolate Factory: Pure Indulgence (without the nasties)
The intoxicating aromas of chocolate and coffee when you walk into Videri Chocolate Factory is a sign that’s telling you, you’re in the right spot for a delicious Mother’s Day Present.
What makes Videri chocolate so great is that they use high quality, responsibly sourced ingredients that are free of nasty fillers and are allergy friendly.
You can even tour the chocolate factory when you go pick up the gift for mom. This Mother’s Day, Videri is offering:
- 4 piece cocktail ganache gift box: Each ganache filling contains a small amount of alcohol to bring the most genuine and flavorful experience to this perfectly petite box.
- Mother’s Day Gift Box with their award-winning chocolate bars, a ganache bonbon box and a hot chocolate mix.
Videri is in the Warehouse District area of Downtown Raleigh and shares the building with Black & White Coffee. So pick up a bag of coffee to throw in the gift box. (We include Videri chocolate in our welcome to Raleigh gift box for home buyers who work with one of our referral agents.)
Bailey’s Fine jewelry: An Elegant Spoil
Now my kids are older, jewelry features on my gift list – and I mean nice jewelry, not the two buck kinds where I won’t cry if it’s destroyed.
Because as we were moving through those toddler and elementary school years, I can guarantee those little sticky fingers would find a way to break the chains!
A locals’ favorite for jewelry shopping in Raleigh is Bailey’s. They are in several places in Wake County: The Village District, Crabtree Valley Mall, and the new Fenton in Cary.
They currently have a Big Sale on – the biggest of the year with deals up to 60% off their surplus of diamonds, watches, bracelets, engagement rings, Click here to see what is included. You’ll be surprised at the gifts on offer to suit all kinds of budgets.
Personally, I love their silver moonstone necklace charm and this Pink Sapphire and Diamond Huggie Hoop Earrings. I don’t have my ears pierced but have been seriously considering it lately. This is a positive bump in that direction!
Designed for Joy: Bags that pop
It wouldn’t be a Mother’s Day gift guide for Raleigh without including our favorite, local non-profit, Designed for Joy.
From clutch purses, to tote bags, and wine charms my wardrobe and home is filling up with colorful range of products that will suit moms of all ages and style.
They also have a great range of products for travelers including luggage tags, fanny packs, leather-covered journals, and day bags. Guaranteed to bring moms joy this Mother’s Day.
Candle Love for Mom
I don’t think there is a flat surface in my house that does not have a sweet-smelling candle on it. Craig is often heard saying to me, “do you really need another candle?” “Yes dear. You can never have too many.”
There’s something about candles that help bring calm and joy into your daily life. This is the perfect gift for moms who don’t care for too much fuss, they just want something simple and uplifting. Candles always signal thoughtfulness and care to me.
My tip is to buy a little glass dial filled with matches that you can strike on the bottom. There is just something about that action of striking a match that feels ritualistic.
You can find candles at any of the above stores mentioned (and a lot more). But two local (black and women owned businesses) in Raleigh that I love for candles are:
- The Bath Place in the pop-up Shops on Martin St in downtown Raleigh. Their Alchemic Bath Brand New Day candle with orange calcite and good vibes really does put me in a good mood each day. It smells divine and the crystal embedded in is sure to bring a few angelic gifts to your day.
- We recently discovered Ever Glow Candle Co at the North Hills Midtown Farmer’s Market. I love that their candles are made from coconut – this is guaranteed no nasties being burned in your space! Coconut is also eco-sustainable, slow burning, moisturizing and smells amazing. I recommend their vanilla and amber candle, BUT, it was a hard decision as many of them smelled so beautiful. I’ll be back for more soon.
Quail Ridge Books: For the Book lovers
It wouldn’t be a Mother’s Day without a good book gift! Of course, there are many places you can buy them, but you know we love to support and share local whenever we can.
Founded in 1984, the independent Quail Ridge Books in North Hills provides a wide variety of carefully selected books, events, discussion groups and town hall meetings.
My top pick for books for the mom in your life in 2023, is Fast Like a Girl by Dr, Mindy Pelz. This is vital information all women should know from their teens. It will lay out a simple eating plan that aligns with our hormones and cycles that will nourish our unique bodies.
Perhaps a membership to their Readers’ Club would be a great Mother’s Day gift idea. It’s only $20 per year per household and offers discounts and special sales. The membership gives you a 20% discount on current New York Times hardcover best-sellers, and 10% discount every day on most books, magazines and gift items.
Plants that Last
Well, perhaps that depends on how green your mom’s thumb is? But, if they don’t have one of those, we have a solution.
Flowers are a typical Mother’s Day gift, and while I love them (and have two bunches currently staring at me in my office) I hate how quickly they fade to brown. Why not give your mom a plant, something that will last for a long time, and she can always think of you when she looks at it.
Head to Logan’s Garden Shop in Seaboard Station Raleigh, to Zen Succulent in Downtown Raleigh, or to Copperline Plant in City Market for beautiful plants and expert advice.
Now to help those who, like me, can kill a plant faster than a noxious weed, there are green thumb experts who can help. Both Copperline and Houseplant Hippie offer design consultation services. They can come to your home and recommend what plants would best suit your home – with instructions on how to care for them!
I’ve been wanting to do this since we moved into our new home. I’m intending on making it happen this July after our big Europe trip. It’s the perfect gift for moms who want to brighten and clean up the air in their home but feel so overwhelmed with how to do it and help it thrive.
And if you do want to do the flowers, TG Floristry is a Black woman-owned, Raleigh-based floral design studio, owned and operated by Tiera George. Tiera has participated in Art in Bloom and she offers creative workshops!
Mani Pedi At The Village District Nail Spa
This is a great gift idea for moms and daughters to do together. I loved my mani-pedi at the Village District Nail Spa that I did with my two daughters.
The spa is large, clean, spacious and busy, bursting-with-happy-vibes busy. It’s also a relaxing experience with comfortable Shiatsu back massage chairs during your pedicure and a glass of complimentary wine if you like.
So far, it’s been my favorite mani pedi in Raleigh and I’ll be back with the girls for another mother-daughter date – you can read more ideas for the Village District with kids here.
Unorthodox Vintage: Fashion from the ages
For the vintage lovers who are also moms, you can’t go past buying a gift from Unorthodox Vintage on Wilmington St. Why not take mom in and help her pick out something she’ll love.
They have a great range of vintage and secondhand clothes, fashion items, and nik naks. It’s easy to tell that co-owners Alexandria Monet and Julian Jacobs have an eye for style (also a black owned business).
Kalyra and I had a great afternoon together shopping in downtown Raleigh, which included a stop off in here. We both loved it.
A Wellness Gift for Self-Care
Self-care should be the priority for all moms (actually every human!) Nothing will say, “I love you” more than a gift or service that helps moms tune into their bodies and soul.
We’ve given you some ideas already with massages and spa treatments, but here are a few other ideas from local businesses we love (and use ourselves).
- Current Wellness offer a range of movement, cooking, and nutrition classes, as well as fun events and services like massage therapy.
- Well Centered Wellness is our go-to for all things wellness related. Dr Allison Peters has spent the last 17 years in practice as a nutrition-based chiropractic physician specializing in functional nutrition, amputation and traumatic brain injury recovery and human potential neurological optimization. She has such wide range of services. You can listen to our podcast interview with Dr Allison here.
- Providing wellness solutions to the Triangle Community through organic hair care and Infrared Sauna services is Kristina Graham from Rize Salon and Infrared in Cary. We use their infrared sauna at least once a week and I love my recent cut and color here!
- Marina Lando from Harmony Life Reiki in Cary has been my monthly Reiki healer for years. Marina is the author of four books, is a Reiki Master and Teacher, and Certified Aromatherapist.
There you have it. I hope this list provides inspiration to find the perfect gift for your mom this Mother’s Day!
