TWE’s Guide to the Best Mother’s Day Gifts

A Curation of Gifts for the Water-Loving Woman in Your Life

Close-up of a person’s legs in red shoes walking on a sandy beach with a red-and-white inflatable ring in the background.

Maybe she taught you to read the tide or zip-up a wetsuit. Maybe she’s the one who rubs sunscreen on your back before every swim, or simply the woman in your life who feels most herself near a body of water. Whether she’s your mom, your wife, your grandmother, or a friend who deserves to be celebrated, if she loves the coastal lifestyle, this list was made with her in mind. This Mother’s Day, we’ve rounded up our favorite gifts for the woman who jetskis, surfs, swims, or solely strolls the beach. Ranging from the practical to the indulgent (but seriously worth it), these thoughtful gifts show you care and celebrate the way she lives and loves by the water.

A Pair of Chic Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Cats 5000 Classics, $207

Brown tortoiseshell Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses with gradient brown lenses on a white background.

A great pair of sunglasses are a must. Just in time for summer, the Cats 5000 is a fresh take on the classic aviator, with a slightly oversized frame and gradient lenses that mix modern fashion sensibility with timeless style. These RayBans are just the upgrade she needs.

The PWC Splurge: Yamaha WaveRunners FX Limited SVHO, $22,199

Side view of a black Yamaha WaveRunner personal watercraft with sleek, low-profile design

No gift could ever capture the love for one’s mom, but gifting her dream Yamaha WaveRunner? You might be close. A Yamaha on the water is a whole summer’s worth of days on the water, open throttle, and fond memories she won’t stop talking about.

The Designer Pick: Manolo Blahnik Espadrilles, $1,195

Red espadrille flat with crystal embellishment on the toe, side view modelled on a white background, low-cut silhouette.

One can never have too many shoes and these navy cotton espadrilles are bound to become her summer go-to. They read effortlessly coastal, yet are unmistakably Manolo.

The At-Home Spa Treatment: Osea Total Body Glow Trio, $98

Set of OSEA body care products: Salts of the Earth body scrub, Undaria algae body oil, and a natural bristle body brush on a white background.

Turn her post-ride rinse into a spa-worthy routine with this Osea tri-product set. The trio features an exfoliating brush, a mineral-rich salt scrub, and the brand’s best-selling seaweed-infused body oil, which hydrates deeply without leaving any greasy residue. We’ve tested the body oil ourselves, and it’s earned a permanent spot on our shelves.

The Softest Sweatpants: Aviator Nation Sweats, $156

Model wearing a rainbow-striped bikini top and bright blue jogger sweatpants, with yellow sunglasses, standing against a white background.

Aviator Nation’s founder, Paige Mycoskie, couldn’t find sweats soft enough to wear post-surf, so she made her own. Two decades later, the brand has a cult following for exactly that reason. I gifted my mom a pair last Christmas. She’s since bought two more on her own. If that’s not the direct review you need, we don’t know what is.

The Jewelry Pick: Dorsey Classic Martini Stud Earrings, $290

Pair of diamond stud earrings with gold settings on a white background

When in doubt, jewelry is always the right call. Dorsey’s Classic Martini Stud Earrings offer the sparkle of real diamonds without the prohibitive price tag thanks to lab-grown moissanite set in 18K gold vermeil. If she already has her staple earrings, a new tennis bracelet pairs beautifully.

The Sun-Safe Swimsuit: Boden Longsleeve Rash Vest, $110

Pink long-sleeve blouse with an all-over large flower print and a green front zipper at the center.

As a thank you for the years she’s spent worrying about everyone else’s sunscreen, Boden’s Sun-Safe Raglan rashguard offers the sun protection she too needs with a fashion-forward vibrant print.

The Wear-Everywhere Dress: Marie Oliver Everette Dress, $525

Cream midi dress with colorful floral and paisley print and puff sleeves at the elbows.

If she loves a dress she can wear straight off the dock and into lunch without a second thought, look no further than Marie Oliver’s Everette wrap dress. The timeless silhouette is only glamorized by the placement print and botanical color palette.

A Plush Robe: Weezie Short Robe, $168

Light blue patterned bathrobe folded neatly with white trim and V-neck wrap

If she’s still wearing the robe she had when you were in kindergarten, it’s time to gift her the upgrade she deserves. Weezie’s robes are cuddly, soft, and absorbent with a velour-like outer material lined with traditional terry. Plus, they come in delightful colors and prints with an option to personalize with a monogram.

A Ballet-Pink Bikini: Hunza G Gold Hoop Bikini, $285

Light pink knit bikini set with a twisted front top featuring a ring detail and matching high-cut bottoms.

Hunza G remains a top swimwear pick for its unique one-size fit, crinkle material, and universally flattery cuts. The London-based brand’s latest ‘Cloudnine’ collection offers the most romantic colors and playful details she will be sure to fall in love with.

The Luxe Skincare Pick: La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream, $390

La Mer moisturizing soft cream jar with beige brushstroke label and teal text, casting a shadow on a white background

Gifting is the perfect opportunity to swap an everyday staple with a luxury product she secretly wants but would never buy for herself. La Mer’s iconic moisturizer is a rejuvenating skincare product users swear by. After a day at the beach, a small dollop will restore all the tolls of days in the sun and salt water.

The Long-Distance Gesture: A Bouquet of Flowers from The Bouqs Co., $99

Bouquet of yellow roses and pink, white, and purple flowers in a tall white textured ceramic vase.

For those of us who can’t spend Mother’s Day in person this year, a Bouqs delivery is a sweet move. A fresh-cut, sustainably sourced bouquet, delivered straight to her door from eco-certified farms is a tried and true way to show you care from afar.

An Oceanfront Weekend Getaway: Ocean House Rhode Island

Aerial view of a seaside resort town with a large yellow hotel, manicured lawns, and a blue bay in the background under a clear sky.

The Ocean House is one of New England’s most beloved coastal retreats. The hotel sits right on the Watch Hill shoreline with an unobstructed, panoramic sunset view. Book her a full weekend escape, or, if you’re local and looking for something more accessible, a revitalizing treatment at the hotel’s five-star spa.

The Waterbottle Redesigned: LARQ Bottle, $99

Light blue LARQ self-cleaning water bottle with its cap removed, exposing the UV-C lid.

There are few things worse than reaching for a sip of refreshing, chilled water and getting a whiff of something stale instead. LARQ’s self-purifying bottle eliminates that problem entirely with UV-C LED technology that cleans both the water and the bottle itself. I’ve been testing one for the past few weeks and it’s become a non-negotiable on busy days when the dishwasher isn’t an option.

A Comfy Sandal: REEF Slim Cushion Flip Flops, $40

Brown thong sandal with a flat sole and slim straps on a white background

Every coastal mom could always use a new pair of flip flops. REEF’s legacy of quality beach-ready footwear makes them a top choice.

A Coastal Home Find: Upton x Slowtide Bath Towel, $50

Blue and white towel with a bold geometric abstract pattern folded with a corner showing

For the mom whose love of the coast extends to her interior design aesthetic, the Upton x Slowtide collaboration towels are the elevated bath essential she will cherish.

The Forever Tote: L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, $49.95

Beige canvas tote bag with navy blue handles and a dark blue bottom edge on a white background.

One of the first gifts I received from my mom was an L.L. Bean Boat and Tote with my name embroidered in red. Decades later, that exact same bag still accompanies me on every adventure. The quality and longevity is incontestable, and I’d argue these classic totes only get better with age. The bag comes in three sizes with varying strap lengths and are endlessly versatile—ready to hold boat gear, farmer’s market finds, gym clothes, or extra snacks.

The SPF Pick: Supergoop! Best-Of Set, $120.60

Set of Supergoop sunscreen products: a pump bottle labeled Play SPF 50 and two squeeze tubes (Unseen SPF 50, Glow Screen SPF 40) with swatches behind.

The best moms deserve the best sunscreen, and this Supergoop! set covers all the bases. My mom has long cherished all three of the set’s products. The everyday SPF pump lives by our front door, easy to apply on the way out. The Unseen Sunscreen delivers 100% protection without any white cast or residue. And then there’s Glowscreen, a tinted luminous SPF that my mom describes as a beauty filter in real life. Taking her lead, I’ve worn Glowscreen every day for several years now and can vouch for her claims.

Decorative rectangular pillow with a blue border and nautical flag border, showing the text: "Sorry for what I said while docking the boat" in blue letters.

This throw is a little nautical, a little cheeky, and the opposite of the tacky quote pillows she may own now. Furbish Studio’s well-crafted needlepoint decor lightens up any room with humor and color. This is a genuinely fun gift for the mom who loves boats and isn’t afraid to show it.

The Lightweight Sporty Layer: Halfdays Gwen UV Jacket, $155

Woman in a pale yellow zip-front windbreaker with a matching mini skirt, posing against a white background.

Halfdays delivers stylish, performance-ready pieces for the woman who loves spending time outside. The new Gwen UV collection pairs fresh spring colors with sun-protective fabrics, creating an easy, go-anywhere capsule for active days. The UV jacket stands out as a perfect lightweight layer for a breezy day on the water.

A Top-Knotch PJ Set: Eberjey Relaxed Short PJ Set, $148

Cream pajama set with pink floral print: short-sleeve button-up top and matching shorts, model standing.

The perfect pair of PJs will not only give evening comfort but a good night’s sleep. Being a mom can be exhausting. Why not make her evenings extra relaxing with a buttery soft Eberjey set?

The Finishing Touch: Favorite Daughter Knit Triangle Scarf, $78

Light blue and white striped knit shawl laid flat in an overlapping wrap design

Triangle scarves are everywhere this year and we’re obsessed. Favorite Daughter’s baby blue and white striped knit scarf adds a nautical touch to any outfit and is the perfect layer to drape over her shoulders when the evening breeze picks up.

Jones Road makeup jars arranged beside a kraft bag with a square window and the slogan 'LOOK AT YOU, GLOWING ON NO SLEEP'

These two mom-founded brands came together to address the tensions moms face between caring for themselves and for others. The Sleepless Nights Kit is the ideal gift for any new mom in your life, featuring a selection of Jones Road’s hero products and new releases alongside a $25 Bobbie gift card for infant nutrition. The thoughtful collab takes care of both mom and baby at once!

author avatar
By Hannah Sellers
Hannah Sellers is a writer and brand strategist based in Providence, Rhode Island, with roots in California and Northern Michigan—each place shaping her aesthetic sensibility in different ways. She is interested in the crossroads of beauty, fashion, and consumer trends with an eye for style. Her work spans editorial writing, content strategy, and marketing for established and emerging brands. She’s held roles at Oscar de la Renta, Perkies, and Monark & Co. When not curating pinterest boards, you can find her painting, hiking, or sitting in the sun with SPF 50 and a good book.
By Hannah Sellers
By Hannah Sellers

Hannah Sellers is a writer and brand strategist based in Providence, Rhode Island, with roots in California and Northern Michigan—each place shaping her aesthetic sensibility in different ways. She is interested in the crossroads of beauty, fashion, and consumer trends with an eye for style. Her work spans editorial writing, content strategy, and marketing for established and emerging brands. She’s held roles at Oscar de la Renta, Perkies, and Monark & Co. When not curating pinterest boards, you can find her painting, hiking, or sitting in the sun with SPF 50 and a good book.