Being a single mom can be really tough! If you are looking for helpful, practical (or just fun) single mom gift ideas, then check out this list!
When I first became a single mom, I felt such a wide range of emotions, but over all of those I mostly just felt overwhelm.
I had to make so many changes (and manage my 2 little kids under the age of 5). Thankfully, I have a very wonderful network of helpful friends and a very supportive family that helped me transition to single mom life.
If you are wondering what to get a single mom, check out these single mom gift ideas! Hey, I think any mom (single or not) would appreciate most of these helpful gifts.
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17 practical (and fun) single mom gift ideas
1.Cash
For me personally, cash gifts were such a help during my divorce. I appreciated them so much.
It seems that many single moms are sticking to tight budgets, at least at first, so having some extra money on hand is always helpful.
2. Food
Food gifts are the BEST!
Besides chocolate, other indulgences like wine, are great gifts! Think of fun, special foods that might be outside of her budget at this time.
Since I can’t eat gluten, I love it when people give me free food – particularly my favorite snacks or drinks!
Lily’s Chocolate Bars are my favorite gluten-free, no sugar added chocolates!
3. Inspirational books
I love reading! Book gifts are another great idea.
Pick a new book by her favorite author or a practical book.
Some books that I found helpful after my divorce:
Anything by Brene Brown, but particularly these two:
I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t)
13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do
(This one is GREAT!)
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce
Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships
Some helpful parenting books:
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen
Gentle kid’s books about divorce:
Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brown
4. Audible Subscription
If you know a single mom and want to give her a gift, consider a subscription to Audible!
I hardly ever have time to read, but I LOVE listening to audiobooks in the car or while I’m doing boring chores.
5. Journal or Planner
A notebook or journal can be a great gift. She can use it to process emotions, write down goals or inspirational quotes, or start a simple budget to get her finances in order.
Like the Good Days Start with Gratitude journal, which encourages writing down 3 things you are thankful for each day.
Or this Present not Perfect journal which has prompts and questions to encourage slowing down and letting go.
or just a simple, plain lined notebook.
Planners are always helpful. The Erin Condron weekly planner is cute and practical.
I have this weekly planner on my fridge and it is great for keeping track of my schedule each week.
Related: Financial tips for single moms
6. Flowers
On the first Mother’s Day after my separation, 2 friends sent me flowers with a note that said “Happy Mother’s Day – you’re doing a great job!” I was so touched it made me cry.
7. Free Child Care
As a single mom who works from home, I rarely get time to myself away from my kids (unless I hire a babysitter).
Right after my separation, friends offered to watch my girls while I went to appointments or even headed out to a monthly book club. What a lovely gift!
8. Alone time
If you are giving the gift of free child care, then encourage her to get some much needed alone time!
9. Day at the spa
If you’ve arranged for a babysitter, then consider the gift of a “spa day”. You can include any or all of these:
- manicure
- pedicure
- massage
- facial
10. A girls night out
Arrange for a babysitter and plan a girls night out. Trust me, single moms don’t often get time to hang out with their friends.
You can take a trip to the salon, get something to eat, or see a movie. It doesn’t have to be special or super fancy!
11. Housekeeping, yard or car maintenance, etc.
The costs of home (or yard or car…) maintenance adds up!
Hire a housekeeper or someone to take care of yard work!
12. Meals
Offer to give the gift of a meal:
- homecooked
- meal delivery – like Door Dash
- meal train – get friends together to set up a meal train
- a bag of groceries
When I first became a single mom, I had several people (through the course of my first year being single) bring me bags of groceries. It was such a touching (and helpful!) gift!
(Shopping with my little kids is not my idea of fun!)
13. Amazon Prime
Amazon prime is a great gift: Free 2-day shipping and access to movies, TV streaming, books, and music, and more!
14. Gift cards
I know some people think gift cards are not a personal or thoughtful gift, but I honestly love gift cards to my favorite stores (and who can go wrong with an Amazon gift card!)
If you know her favorite shops, get a gift card to one of those places (even grocery store gift cards were helpful for me!)
Some other fun gift card ideas:
15. Gift basket with unique items
Get a gift basket and fill it with fun items she would like:
- hobby-related items
- favorite snacks
- bottle of wine
- new movie to watch
- flowers
16. Care package
This is similar to a gift basket, but would have more practical, useful items in it.
Fill the basket with necessities, like:
- soap
- lotion
- shampoo
- laundry detergent
- toilet paper
In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, right before my divorce was finalized, my little girls and I moved to a new apartment.
A friend dropped off a package at my new place with gifts for my kids, some snacks, and a package of toilet paper. It was such a thoughtful gift!
17. Items to make meals easier
Besides snacks and meals, kitchen items that help make meals easier are always helpful.
Instant pots are all the rage. They cut cooking time drastically and you can use them to make quick and easy meals!
I have this food processor and it’s great and easy to clean!
18. Alexa
I don’t have Alexa, but I’ve heard that this device can help organize your life! This could be very helpful for a single mom.
19. Professional photos with their kids
This is my personal favorite! I love having photo shoots with my girls, but they can be pricey!
A gift certificate for a photo shoot with some prints included would be an awesome gift. This is one gift I would personally appreciate very much!
Related: First-year survival guide for single moms
Being a single mom is tough! These helpful gifts for single moms can really brighten someone’s day and help make a single mom’s life easier. Although, honestly, I think any mom would be happy to receive most of these items as gift! What other gift ideas do you have?
