Did you know that Mother’s Day dates all the way back to the ancient Greeks and Romans? Technically, they celebrated mother goddesses Cybele and Rhea, but come on, aren’t all moms goddesses?

Modern-day Mother’s Day was actually the brainchild of Anna Jarvis. According to Wikipedia, Ann, her mother, had frequently expressed a desire to establish such a holiday to honor moms and their sacrifices. When her mom passed away, Anna set out to accomplished that goal, and she did it! Boss lady!

But, it wasn’t long before she wished she’d never championed for the day.

That’s because the flower and greeting card industries piggy-backed off her idea. Anna wasn’t happy about this commercialization of the holiday, and she even attempted to have Mother’s Day rescinded. She died in a sanitarium, with her medical expenses covered, ironically, by well-wishers in the floral and greeting card industries.

Let’s face it; Hallmark, and zillions of other retailers, have definitely done an amazing job of turning every holiday into a commercial bonanza. Still, I have to admit; there’s something special about giving and receiving, a little token of appreciation on a significant day.

Now, that gift can be anything from a daily/weekly phone call, cooking a meal for a loved one, or sending a card or note in the mail. But let’s face it. It’s also nice to receive a little something, something, amiright? A thoughtful token of affection – something that won’t break the bank. Hmmm… maybe something from a hip, novelty boutique with adorable and affordable items?

See where I’m going with this?

Smooth transition here…

Shopping with Gigi has something for every mom and family member, for that matter! The perfect gifts for Mother’s Day and beyond! Don’t believe me? Click the ‘read more’ button and see for yourself, and then, prepare to be amazed, and shop ’til you drop!

Shopping with Gigi is Easy, Quick, and Fun!

I know – you’ve been hearing me mention Shopping with Gigi for months now. I started the boutique kind of as a celebration of becoming a first-time grandma. My grandma name is Gigi – and so… Shopping with Gigi!

I love picking out items for the boutique. Items you see online are mainly from female-owned businesses, but not all, because I love supporting all small businesses. Most of the vendors I purchase items from are U.S.-based, and sometimes Canada. I look for novelty gifts/items not found on Amazon, as well. Don’t get me wrong. I love Amazon! But when I want to give a unique gift, I’d rather get it from a boutique and support small.

As you probably know, I share pics of items from the boutique on Instagram at either @GwenLivesWell, or @Shopping.withGigi, and right here on the blog. But have you actually ever taken a peek at what’s in the boutique? Well, some of you have, because you’ve purchased some of these fab finds, so thank you so much!!

Below, I’ve highlighted some of my favorites – although they are all my favorites, lol – that’s why they are in the boutique! Any of these items resonate with you? Maybe you’ll see something here that is just perfect for someone you know – whether it’s a mom, daughter, sister, or aunt, or for that matter – a special guy in your life. I mean, what man doesn’t love beer bread or dips and chips? You might even find a little something for yourself. After all, you’re worth it!

OK – let’s see some of these can’t-live-without items already!

Ponchos -The Perfect Accessory

Ponchos really are the perfect accessory, especially for those chilly spring and summer nights. The best part? You can dress them up or down to match the occasion.

The boutique has two gorgeous poncho styles in stock:

• Popcorn Knit: I love how soft, airy and beautiful this poncho is. It comes in three colors (gray, mustard, and white), and it’s one size fits all. This beauty is handmade and ethically sourced from Bali.
• Bamboo: Stylish, lightweight, and perfect for any occasion, this poncho is one-size and made from 100% bamboo. Plus, it comes in five stunning colors – gold, azure, magenta, tangerine, and black.

Spiral-Wrapped Earrings and Bracelets

There’s something special about spiral-wrapped jewelry. It really can complement any look – fancy or casual – and it shows off the beauty of the stone or pearl.

These spiral-wrapped earrings are handmade and ethically sourced from Bali. They come in beautiful bright blue, green or pink and are 100% nickel-free.

And the spiral-wrapped bracelets pair perfectly with the earrings. They consist of beautiful accent stones and beads. These bracelets also come in blue, green, and pink.

Leopard Crossbody Tote, Crossbody Messenger Bag, Interchangeable Straps!

A crossbody tote for moms who are wild at heart. Made from cotton canvas, this tote can be carried by hand or use the removable navy and white strap (extends up to 40”) for a crossbody style.

The small inside pocket offers a place to store a phone or sunglasses, and the magnetic closure is so convenient. The fun leopard print really makes this bag one of my faves.

The canvas tote is fun and gorgeous, but if mom prefers something a little smaller, the crossbody messenger bag is perfect. It features a faux leather – vegan body with a fold-over design and a trendy stripe accent. The adjustable strap extends to 55,” so mom can wear it however she wants.

This bag comes in black or brown (tan) with a magnetic closure and convenient inside zipper pocket.

Interchangeable Straps

A must-have accessory if you’re buying one of the crossbody bags – the adorable interchangeable straps instantly change your bag’s look. Right now, the boutique carries them in the iconic red and green stripe color (think Gucci-inspired), but more colors are coming soon.

Adjust the length from 22” to 42” to get the perfect look and fit.

Bri Bucket Hat

Great for spring and summer, the Bri Bucket Hat has a classic plaid check pattern that never goes out of style. Made from cotton, this hat is comfortable, soft, and breathable. It’s the perfect accessory for mom to take her look to the next level.

Side Note: I purchased this collection of totes, crossbody bags, interchangeable straps, and the Bri bucket hats from Pretty Simple – Leah, who opened her business after a life-changing event. As a breast cancer survivor and mom to a recently diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic, Leah decided life is simply too short to not be around for it. “PS is more than something you wear. It comes from within. It is living with purpose. Believing in your dream and having the courage to go for it. When you shop with Pretty Simple, you are not only supporting a small business but the type 1 diabetes community.”

Soberdough Beer Bread Mix

Soberdough’s Beer Bread mixes are divine! It makes bread-baking so easy that it feels like cheating. Just pour the beer (or club soda), add the mix, stir and bake.

The ingredients are 100% natural. The bread mixes are soy-free and dairy-free. And they come in so many yummy flavors, like Hatch Green Chile Cheddar, Apple Fritter, Cheesy Garlic, and Everything But the Bagel Seasoning.

For moms who love baking, this mix is the perfect gift.

Molly and You Beer Bread Mix, Dips, and Mug Cakes

The Gluten-free beer bread mix with cinnamon and brown sugar goodness is just the tip of the iceberg with my Molly and You collection. Molly’s beer bread mixes are easy peasy too, and the gluten-free one? Use a gluten-free beer and tada! Remember – you can also use club soda or seltzer, stir, and bake. It’s that easy. Molly and You’s dip mixes are magical, and on the back of every packet, Molly shares recipes. You can do so much more than use these mixes for dips. And the flavors? Yum! Think Ultimate BLT, Viva Fiesta, and more.

And Molly’s mug cakes are absolute heaven. A small portion – a single serving, of some absolute favorites, like Celebration Cake, and Amaretto Pound Cake, for starters. There’s a Salted Caramel Brownie flavor that’s absolutely decadent.

Stone Drink Coasters

Made from naturally absorbent limestone, these hilarious coasters are great for moms with a sense of humor. They’re great for entertaining and are sure to get a few laughs.

Choose from more than 10 funny phrases, like:

• Of course I talk to myself, sometimes I need expert advice!
• We all can’t be the queen. Someone has to clap when I go by.
• I may be wrong, but it’s highly unlikely.

Greeting Note Cards

Nothing says “I love you” like a cheeky greeting note card. Great for moms who don’t take life too seriously.

Choose from six funny designs. All cards come with copper metallic envelopes and are printed on premium 100lb. paper.

Tea Towels and Funny Kitchen Towels

Made from 100% heavyweight cotton, these artisan tea towels make great gifts for Mother’s Day. Choose from eight funny sayings, like:

• Alexa…make me a cocktail
• I keep trying to make protein shakes, but they keep turning out as margaritas
• Homeschool update: fed the homework to the dog myself

There are funny kitchen towels, too, and they’re lovingly sewn and printed by hand by a team of amazing women in Michigan. Made from 100% unbleached cotton, mom will love these hilarious towels. They’re so soft, and they’re printed with water-based, eco-friendly ink.

Healthy Kitchen Gourmet Dips, Rubs, Soups, Seasoning Blends and More

Just in are the above delish food items, plus a few more. Everything from Healthy Gourmet Kitchen is just that – organic, healthy, and there’s something for everyone here. Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sugar-free, or vegan – you name it. There’s something in the boutique for your diet/lifestyle. I am making the Coconut Curry Chickpea Stew this week! Yum! Find delish rubs, seasoning mixes – fab for the slow cooker or instant pot, and much more in the boutique.

Side Note: According to the site, Healthy Gourmet Kitchen was started when Mary – a former computer scientist, “couldn’t find pantry staples without added sugars, preservatives, salt, or other unnecessary ingredients. Mary set out to create healthy soup starters & seasoning mixes for people who are too busy to cook or maybe not yet confident in the kitchen. She drew on her memories of great meals with the guiding principle of healthy meets delicious.”

And there you have it! Healthy yumminess for you and your family. And another great gift idea for the cooks in your life.

Jewelry Always Makes the Perfect Mother’s Day Gift!

Side Note: Jennifer’s passion lies in cultivating a “more ethical, transparent, and sustainable jewelry industry. All of her products are 100% handmade with only recycled metals and conflict-free precious gemstones. This fierce female entrepreneur promotes sustainability through green business practices in Hermosa Beach, California, USA.”

Funny Masks and Fabulous Chains!

These masks have been a big hit, providing a spot of humor for many during these difficult times.

If you’ve got to wear a mask, you might as well make it a cute one! This is a two-ply mask made from a medium-weight t-shirt fabric made from 52% cotton and 48% polyester. It has hemmed edges and stretchy ear straps. It’s machine washable and dryable and comes in our amazing new mask packaging! Each mask comes in a high-quality reusable zipper pouch. Your customer can keep their mask in the pouch when not used to keep it so fresh and so clean! It’s sewn in Nicaragua and printed in the USA by an all-female team. WOOT!

These masks are non-medical grade, and they are non-returnable.

Side Note: These masks come from Ellembee, an all-female team that makes clever gifts for clever people. “Ellembee has been in business since 2008, and we pride ourselves on spreading happiness, laughter, and good juju through our fun products. We have a 2,000 square foot warehouse in Wixom, MI, where we print each and every towel, zipper pouch, and mask by hand, using eco-friendly, water-based ink.”

You Can’t Have a Mask Without a Chain!

The chains featured in the video above are phenomenal and can be worn with the masks, used with sunglasses and eyeglasses, and ready for this? The chains can be used as necklaces too! If you watched the vid, then you already know that. Just saying.

As I mentioned earlier, at Shopping with Gigi, I purchase items mainly from women-owned boutiques where products are either made or finished in the USA. These are small-batch, artisan, social-good gifts you won’t find on Amazon. I feel good about supporting these small businesses because each business owner has a personal story. I shared a few here and will be sharing more personal stories as time goes by. As a matter of fact, some of you will be meeting some of these women in the not too distant future. (That’s a teaser I’m working on for another project of mine – stay tuned!)

So please remember, when you buy your Mother’s Day gifts (or any gift!) from Shopping with Gigi, you’re not only supporting my small business – you’re also supporting these wonderful businesses. To me, this is the epitome of #weareallinthistogether.

On behalf of all of the vendors I carry in the boutique, thank you for your support. It’s greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for reading this and for being here. I’d be so appreciative if you’d share this post, my site, and boutique with friends. Take a quick sec and email this link. And sign up yourself if you haven’t already! (Maybe someone emailed you this post!) Just takes your email address, and you’re in!

Oh, and don’t forget, if you purchase something from this post, I may earn enough to one day buy a cup of coffee (tall) from Starbucks!

All rights reserved. In other words, unauthorized use and/or duplication of any images or written material is a real no-no without express and written permission from yours truly – me. Thank you.

Let’s Get Social! I’m friendly!

Find me on Pinterest (I would love for you to pin some of the pics), Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok & YouTube. Besides those social media channels, you can also follow me on LinkedIn.

And you can shop for my favorite looks & products on 

Like.to.Know.it and Shopping with Gigi! If you don’t have the Like.to.Know.it app, Shop My Instagram instead!

You might also be interested in these posts:

• 5 Ways to Style a White Button-Up Shirt (Featuring Grayson shirts!)
• Best Healthy Chicken Meatballs, Eva! (bursting with flavor!)
• Modern Picnic Chic Lunchers I LOVE my lunchers and use them as purses!

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