After I became a mom, Mother’s Day took on a whole new meaning. A day set aside just for me? It was as if someone gave me a second birthday in the year! As the years went on, I realized it’s also like sharing your birthday with a million other women – some of whom you’re related to and some of whom are senior to you and, therefore, require some deference on “your” new day. But still…Mother’s Day is a great time to celebrate our mothers and the women we love.

Whether you’re especially grateful for a particular mother in your life this year, or you just want to let someone know you care about her, keep in mind that – for the most part – what women want is pretty simple: something beautiful, practical, inspirational, or playful.

Beautiful

Women love things that are beautiful or that make her feel beautiful. Period.

These Rubberized Railroad Spike cuffs by Giles and Brother are a cheerful and pretty accessory for summer.

What woman doesn’t appreciate having something beautiful to look at? Society 6 is a great resource for high-quality, inexpensive art. A colorful print or a whimsical photograph for her bedside table or bathroom vanity will help her tap into her inner-artist each day.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade is the “Orgasm Blush” of lip gloss; it looks good on EVERYONE. This is sure to be her new can’t-live-without-it lip gloss.

This off the shoulder dress by Amuse Society is romantic, flattering, and perfect for hot summer afternoons. She can dress it up with a wedge and layered gold necklaces, or keep it casual with flip flops by the pool. (Click here to see more photos.)

No one does lavender like L’Occitane and their hand cream is a cult favorite. The fact that L’Occitane sells this lavender-scented hand cream as a trio just shows how well they understand women. (She’ll need one for her car, one for her handbag, and one for her nightstand.) A fail-safe gift for women of every age.

Women have a love-hate relationship with the sun. We know we need to avoid those aging, cancer-causing rays, but the allure of a golden tan is so hard to resist. In addition to adding instant bronze glow, this wash-off but water-resistant,  Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Finish “reflects light and masks blemishes to reduce the appearance of cellulite, spider veins, and age spots”. Um…yes please!!

If you’re a man reading this, you’ve probably figured out why – despite having plenty of expensive, sexy lingerie – she sleeps in her ratty old t-shirt instead: expensive, sexy lingerie isn’t very comfortable to sleep in. Why not try getting her a pretty pj top and bottom that’s both sexy and comfortable? It’s a win-win. (This cozy tank and and shorts set fits the bill, too.)

I gave this personalized leather cuff to a few friends with the names of their kids on it last year as a thank-you gift after they helped plan my 40th birthday and immediately regretted not buying one for myself. Fortunately, one of those friends returned the favor! It’s cool and sentimental and I wear it almost every day. I absolutely love it.

Know someone who’s a mommy to her pets? The same company that makes these cuffs also makes personalized animal collars.

Practical

As much as we value beauty, we also value our time. A gift that makes us more efficient with our time and makes life easier for us and the people we love is always appreciated.

The OXO Tabletop Spiralizer is perfect for salads, stir-fries, desserts, garnishes, and more, turning ordinary fruits and vegetables into delicious, colorful noodles. It also comes with a little recipe book. Sur La Table also sells handheld versions.

It’s baseball season (and tennis season, and swimming season…), which means busy mom’s are on the go and out of the house for long stretches at a time. With this USB leather tassel keychain and charging cord, she’ll have a full charge with her everywhere she goes. Available in black, lavender, and pink suede. (Not compatible with the iPhone 7 or 7 plus.)Nothing hijacks and derails a fun afternoon like a major boo-boo. For those times when mom is far from home or the nearest drug store and that bump, scrape, bite, sting, or cut occurs, this 250-piece first aid kit comes in very handy. It’s small and can be conveniently stored conveniently in mom’s car. This is a great gift for mom from her kids.

Inspirational

When your role in life is to nurture and care for everyone around you, it can be difficult to nurture and care for our own inner lives. A gift that inspires and nurtures a woman’s soul tells her you love her and – maybe just as importantly – you understand her. After all, her soul is the essence of who she is and why you love her.

I love coffee table books and enjoy giving them as gifts, so I’m always on the hunt for good ones. In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from Over 100 Makers is a collection of interviews and portraits of 100 exceptional leaders across a diverse range of races, ages, backgrounds, and industries, including young media titans and mother-daughter fashion houses, hoteliers and ceramicists, tattoo artists, and architects, sharing practical, inspirational advice for those looking to forge their own paths.

Another great book is A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen is a wonderful little book and would make a great gift for a new mother, a mother-in-law, or someone who recently lost their mother (which is how it came to me, from a friend.) Here’s a quote from the book: “Life is made of moments, small pieces of silver amidst long stretches of tedium. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen. We have to teach ourselves now to live, really live . . . to love the journey, not the destination.”

(I’ve also just started reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, which has a strong cult following and seems, so far, like it’s going to be an exceptional read.)

Whether she needs a spa day, a new yoga class, or a night off and spent out of town, Groupon offers it to her at a discount. Search for businesses near you or far away and give her the gift of peace, quiet, and a chance to reconnect with herself without breaking the bank.

Playful

All work and no play makes mommy a dull (and grumpy) gal. A gift that let’s her have a little fun tells you understand she may be a Boss at home, but she’s still a girl at heart and girls just wanna have fun!

Summer is quickly approaching, which means mommy’s world is about to get turned upside down. A Fandango gift card offers a welcome respite from the heat and chaos of summer’s structure-less days. Who doesn’t appreciate a good movie…or a good nap inside a movie theater…to break up the routine?

I’ve also never seen any of Amy Schumers movies or t.v. shows and, although I’ve never doubted her talent, her brand hasn’t appealed to me. But a friend left this book behind at my house after our book club recently and I devoured it. Amy is charming, self-deprecating, authentic, thoughtful, and so, so funny. I had fits of giggles that threatened to wake my sleeping husband in the bed next to me, I laughed so hard.

The current coloring book craze became that way for a reason: they are strangely satisfying and addictive. Now mama can color-away her cares and have a good laugh in the process with an adult coloring book. Not quite the right flavor? Not to worry. They also offer Chill the F Out, Color Me F-ing Calm, Mommy Drinks Because You Cry, and The Swear Word Coloring Book. (She can store it in her secret candy drawer.)

Whatever you decide to give her, make sure she knows – first and foremost – how much you love and appreciate her, especially if you’re lucky enough to still have your mom around.

Mothers, Happy Mother’s Day! Let’s keep up the good work.