What do jewelry, flowers, and fuzzy house slippers all have in common? They’re all quintessential Mother’s Day gifts. Not that there’s anything wrong with them (I mean, can you really ever have enough slippers?) but if you’re looking to give the mother figure in your life something more creative this holiday (or another occasion, like birthday or anniversary!), consider an experience gift.

This isn’t something she can unwrap, per se, but it is something she’ll be able to enjoy on her own, or with the company of family and friends. Whether she’s an adventurer who’s craving a road trip somewhere far away, or needs to kick back with some R&R in her own home, check out these experience gifts for moms, designed to give her memories that’ll last way longer than a floral bouquet or fuzzy slippers.

Best experience gifts for Mother’s Day, at a glance:

• Sur La Table Cooking Class
• A Stay at Getaway House
• Airbnb Experience
• Fitness at Classpass
• A National Park Visit
• An Uncommon Experience at Uncommon Goods
• At-Home Manicures with FabFitFun
• Live Music Performances at Sofar Sounds
• Cook a Meal With Cozymeal
• Renew Retreat at Hilton Head Health

11 experience gifts for mom to give this Mother’s Day

1. Take a Sur La Table cooking class

No matter if she’s a seasoned home chef or leaves the cooking to someone else, Sur La Table’s cooking classes are a fun experience she’ll enjoy. For $79 per seat, treat her and a friend to in-store cooking classes where she’ll get hands-on experience learning professional culinary techniques, like how to whisk a French white wine sauce, or how to make a traditional South American salsa from scratch. Or, buy the ingredients before hand and surprise her to a night in with an online class.

Buy your gift here.

2. Unplug at a Getaway

Mom in desperate need of an escape? Getaway has got you covered with its cozy cabins nestled in nature just two hours outside of select major cities. Each cabin is equipped with a snuggly bed, kitchen, bathroom, outdoor amenities, and—the best part—a lock box for electronics, allowing visitors to truly unplug and, well, get away. Customize your gift card amount and Mom can book her trip whenever she wants.

Buy your gift here.  Use code DESTRESS2023 for 15 percent off.

3. Book an Airbnb Experience

Whale watching in Boston, a guided tour of LA in a vintage Cadillac, salsa dancing lessons in Miami—whatever you can think of in whatever city you are, and Airbnb has an experience for you. Treat mom to a “staycation” in her town with an activity or tour guided by a local. Or, plan ahead for your next family vacation and search thousands of adventures to book in advance.

Buy your gift here. 

4. Sweat it out with Class Pass

For the moms who never stop moving, get a Class Pass. It allows them to find fitness classes in their area, where they can sign up and bounce from class to class, trying everything from water aerobics to hot yoga. Plans start at $15 a month, but you can also buy gift cards for whatever amount you choose.

Buy your gift here. 

5. Adventure out with a National Parks Pass

As a cartoon Boy Scout once famously said, “adventure awaits.” Get out and see America’s natural splendor with a National Parks Pass, Mom’s ticket to more than 2,000 federal parks, forests, and grasslands across the country. An $80 pass gives her access to all these seriously cool places, plus standard amenity fees and day use fees for all passengers in one vehicle, so you can go along for the ride.

Buy your gift here. 

6. Cultivate her green thumb in a plant care workshop

DTC houseplant delivery service The Sill offers in-person and online plant care workshops where Mom and a friend can get their hands dirty and care for their plant BBs. Choose from basic care classes, like Pests Care 101 ($0 per person), or focus on learning a select skill, like propagation or terrarium building. Online classes are free—all you need is Wifi to join.

Buy your gift here. 

7. Get crafty with an Uncommon Experience

Unleash Mom’s inner artist with an experience from Uncommon Goods, the online marketplace known for its unique artisan gifts. These aren’t your typical virtual paint-and-sip art classes—Uncommon Experiences are, “unexpected opportunities to have fun and connect in new ways.” Think: flower arranging, astrology chart mapping, bath bomb workshops, all hosted right in your living room, giving you and mom and new way to spend movie night.

Buy your gift here. 

8. Do at-home manicures with a FabFitFun Spa box

You know FabFitFun for its adorable quarterly subscription boxes loaded with goodies. Rather than getting her more stuff, buy a box that doubles as an experience, like the new Spa Box or Haircare Box. Don’t worry—she’ll still get a ton of good stuff from top beauty brands like Kosas, Living Proof, and more. But bring the day spa home and spend an evening *actually* doing the at-home mani pedis or hair masks together.

Buy your gift here. 

9. Jam out with Sofar Sounds

For the mothers who love live music, you can’t go wrong with a ticket to Sofar Sounds. At unique venues across the US, listen to diverse acts, listen in community, and BYOB. It’s guaranteed to be a fun time.

Buy your gift here. 

10. Learn how to cook traditional pasta carbonara

You and your mom can take a virtual trip to Italy with Cozymeal’s Traditional Pasta Carbonara where you’ll learn how to cook carbonara. The kit comes with a pasta machine, pasta cutter, and promises a fully interactive class, so you and your mom can channel your inner chef. You’ll also learn how to use leftover egg whites to make a delicious chocolate cake (yum).

Buy your gift here. 

11. Renew at Hilton Head Health

If you’ve got the coins to treat the mother figure in your life, Hilton Head Health offers all-inclusive Renew Retreats to get your relaxation on. Included in your stay are luxury accommodations, healthy meals and snacks, a 50-minute custom massage, cooking demonstration, and so much more.

Buy your gift here. 

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