Of course I appreciate my mother and my grandmothers, but it wasn’t until I witnessed my sister experience being a mother, that I grasped a genuine understanding of what it is to be one.

For Mother’s Day, I traditionally only go all-out for my mom. I may get a card, or some other small token of appreciation for my grandmas. But since my sister become a mom in 2016, each year I’ve struggled with what to get her! I usually take her to brunch and / or get her a gift card to one of her favorite stores, but something feels special about 5 years in the motherhood gang, so I wanted to switch it up this year.

I think Mom's are awesome! I honestly can’t name a more selfless, brave, ride-or-die group of people. A thoughtful gift or gesture is the least we can do to honor mothers and their service to mankind. So Mother’s Day is the perfect time to flex my gift giving skills.

While searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for my sister, I compiled a list of suitable (nonbasic) gift ideas for any special women in your life. Here are some of my favorites:

Riverine Non-Alcoholic Spirit x Amass

Riverine is a refined non-alcoholic spirit that encapsulates the lush landscape of the Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforest. Distilled with a regional blend of botanicals, it takes its cues from culinary practice for a distinct finish. Coniferous notes from Juniper are brightened by Sumac, Sorrel, Lemon Peel, and Apple, while Thyme, Mint, and Parsley lend a rich herbal earthiness. Each botanical is individually distilled in a proprietary hydrosteam distillation process to extract essential oils for a crisp and evergreen flavor profile reminiscent of the towering firs and coastal mountains of British Columbia.

If the packaging alone doesn’t sell her, the fact that it’s a healthy alternative to liquor will. And even if she’s not into the idea of herbal spirits, the bottle will still look nice at the bar :)

Vanilla Almond Body Butter x Butter Love

An all natural, sustainable, black-owned gift. Period.

Beyond that, this particular product is one of the brands most popular. All of the butters work wonders for hydrating the skin, but they’re made from herbs and essential oils, so they tend to have more earthy scents. Except this one. It has a light and subtly sweet scent, so it’s safe to give as a gift.

A Print x Koketit

I came across this artist on Instagram, and fell in love with her work. It’s my kind of simple.

Her prints are reasonably priced, and she even has options for framing on her website!

Lady of Imlil Sheer Pant x Fe Noel

These pants speak for themselves. But incase you can’t hear: this sensual yet relaxed wide leg fit is an exclusive from New York designer Fe Noel - whoever gets these for damn sure won’t have to worry about seeing the other moms in them.…I mean, nothing says Happy Mother’s Day like Couture.

The Three Mothers x Anna Malaika Tubbs

An Amazon Editor's Pick for February, and Noname’s Book Club read for March, this biography is profound and great for mothers at all stages of motherhood.

Even of they don’t read it themselves (which I don’t know why they wouldn’t) it is an amazing piece to have in your book collection.

Neopêche x Boy Smells

An all natural white coconut and beeswax blend, NEOPÊCHE is here to inhabit space with transcending ultraviolet and delicate peach flesh for an outer body scent journey. Pink peppercorn, incense and oakmoss electrify this scent with spice while the delicate tannins of rose and mandarin drop you deep within yourself.

This candle is perfect to pair with another gift, or it can stand out on it’s own!

Gold Plated Mama Necklace x ByChari

Made with a sterling silver base and heavy 14K yellow gold plating, it’s a sentimental statement piece that meets minimalism and luxury style.

Everyday Eyeshadow Palette x Mented Cosmetics

I’m not a mom, but I always appreciate gifts like this, because it’s practical - but not enough for me to remember to go out and purchase myself.

This simple palette was designed with melanin in mind, and has exactly the right colors to take you from your morning meeting to post-work drinks and everything in between. Plus it’s vegan, non-toxic, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.

Tutti-Frutti x Piecework

We all need something besides social media, and HBO Max to occupy our time. This chic puzzle is a great gift for for just that. And it can be for the entire family, because naturally the kids will want to help…and I know that if I’m going to spend time putting together a puzzle, I want it to look aesthetically pleasing when I’m done.

What to Get Your Sister for Mother’s Day