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Let’s face it: even if you’re an ultra-responsible gifter who usually plans ahead instead of waiting until the very last possible second to do your gift shopping, most of us are guilty of forgetting to buy a gift for someone’s special graduation, holiday, birthday, baby shower, and the like. ICYMI, Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10) is swiftly approaching, which means shipping a gift is a risky option at best, even if you order through Amazon Prime.
Fortunately, there are plenty of surprisingly thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts you can send by email that won’t look like you waited until the last minute—even though you totally did. Giving gifts in person isn’t always an option, which means e-gifts are the only safe bet, whether you procrastinated or had responsibly planned months in advance.
I was raised to send handwritten thank you notes, birthday cards, holiday greetings—and, well, the list goes on, so the idea of emailing a gift to someone still makes me a little bit uncomfortable (especially if I imagine my mother’s reaction). But frankly, there are many thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts you can send online that don’t scream, “I literally forgot to give you a gift until just now.”
In fact, I would give the gifts outlined below whether I was in a time crunch or had two months to send. So, yes, while I may still be somewhat old-fashioned (I still send the handwritten thank-you notes by mail) when it comes to my gifting philosophy, the idea of sending an online e-gift doesn’t feel quite as blasphemous to me anymore.
Now, despite my lifelong commitment to handwritten letters, I’m no angel. I, too, am a lifelong procrastinator (I wait until Christmas Eve to do my gift shopping every year without fail). Since I’m guessing you’re here because you’re in the same boat, I’ve rounded up a few solid Mother’s Day gifts you can send by email that will be delivered to the giftee in question almost instantly.
From MasterClass courses taught by industry professionals like Gordon Ramsey and David Lynch to museum memberships, there’s no shortage of stellar gifts to send by email this Mother’s Day weekend. Scroll through below to check out some of our digital gift ideas.
From cooking classes with Gordon Ramsey to basketball lessons with Stephen Curry, Masterclass allows you to give the gift of learning instantly online. Plus, right now Masterclass is offering 50 percent off giftable subscriptions for Mother’s Day.
Giving the gift of learning about one’s ancestry (whether with the DNA option or the regular subscription) is the ultimate last-minute gift.
For the art-loving mom (if they’re based in or close to New York City), there is no better gift than an annual membership to the Met Museum.
For the style-loving mom, treat them to a month (or year) of Nuuly, my favorite clothing rental subscription service. Each month, they’ll be able to pick out six chic items to rent, whether for special events or just for fun. It’s the ultimate antidote to refreshing a stale closet.
Give the gift of a staycation or mini getaway with a ResortPass gift card (every tired mom’s dream!). ResortPass allows you access to some of the best pools, spas, and other resort amenities without being a guest or member. Day passes for pools, cabanas, and other amenities start at just $25 per day.
Rather than just emailing them a generic Starbucks or Amazon gift card, check out On Me’s elevated digital gifting options. On Me digital gift cards center on hobbies and activities, giving them a more personalized feel. It’s almost like sending them a debit card from various retailers and categories, from beauty to basketball. For example, if you select “Brunch, On Me,” your giftee will spend the amount you choose at a range of breakfast establishments, from Dunkin’ to IHOP.
If they’re a total java snob (or just exhausted 24/7 like most parents), they will love Atlas Coffee Club’s premium subscription service.
If the mom in question is a wine connoisseur of any level, give the gift of trying new wines each month with Winc’s monthly subscription boxes.
Whether your giftee has just delivered or is entering the empty-nesting period (or just simply loves houseplants), gifting them a subscription from The Sill is always a good idea. Who doesn’t love plants?
From cleaning to home improvement (TV mounting, furniture assembly, etc.), give the gift of convenience and a helping hand with Airtasker’s digital gift cards.
From marketing classes to baking lessons and everything in between, Udemy’s expansive catalog of online courses means there’s something for mom.
Who doesn’t love a facial? After all, a facial is really just a facial massage. Treat them to a Face Haus gift card (or a facial spot near them), so they can book a facial at one of its participating locations or stock up on the brand’s incredible skincare products.
