Finding the right gift idea for moms can be challenging. In fact, when asked for gift ideas, most moms answer they don’t care. That’s not at all helpful when you’re shopping!
And, having been a mom myself for 14 years now, I get it. Honestly, most of what I truly want can’t be bought with money. I go totally blank when it comes to gift ideas for myself. Moms aren’t trying to be difficult. We just struggle to come up with ideas for one more thing in the mental workload of motherhood!
When you add IC into the mix, figuring out thoughtful gift ideas gets a bit more challenging. So I’ve taken some time and inspiration from around the internet to come up with the best thoughtful gift ideas for moms with IC.
Comfort and Relaxation Gifts
Mamas love a chance to relax comfortably. Mamas with IC need even more comfort around them when flaring. These gifts will bring her comfort and help her relax.
Soft and supportive pillows
Sitting and relaxing on soft surface is ideal for IC patients, who often have pelvic floor dysfunction as well. You can go for a supportive chair cushion, a comfy bed pillow or a fun toss pillow. Pair it with a soft and cozy throw blanket for added comfort.
Aromatherapy diffuser with soothing essential oils
An aromatherapy diffuser is another great gift idea. Scents like rosemary, lavender, peppermint, lemon, bergamot, frankincense and lemon grass are soothing and ideal for stress relief.(1)
Cozy loungewear or PJ sets
Soft, loose, breathable loungewear or PJs are perfect for IC moms. Look for natural fabrics, such as cotton, that don’t have tight elastic around the waist. These PJ sets are my personal favorite; I have them in numerous designs.
IC-Friendly Food and Beverages
Figuring out what to safely drink with IC takes trial and error. Once we ICers find what works, we stick with it. Taking time to find drinks or treats she can eat without worry will really make the IC mom in your life happy. In general, you want to find beverages and foods that aren’t acidic or caffeinated.
Tea, coffee and hot chocolate
Traditional tea, coffee and hot chocolate can send IC bladders into a major flare. But, the right alternatives make an ideal gift. The ICN Store carries a variety of options for these drinks that won’t make her bladder hurt afterward.
Homemade treats
A homemade sweet treat is a great Mother’s Day gift idea. They’re pretty easy on the budget and show mom how much you care by spending time in the kitchen for her. Make sure you whip up something IC friendly. Try a tasty IC-friendly dessert recipe or look for recipes without chocolate or acidic fruit.
When in doubt, consult the IC Food List to see what foods are safest. Many white desserts work well, such as angel food cake, vanilla ice cream, pound cake, sugar cookies and cheesecake.
A snack basket
Grab a basket or gift bag and fill it with some IC friendly snacks for a fun and yummy Mother’s Day gift. Some of the safest snacks include the following:
- plain potato chips
- pretzels
- plain roasted almonds
- angel food cake
- corn chips
- oatmeal, sugar or shortbread cookies
- plain glazed doughnuts
- blueberry, pumpkin or bran muffins
- cashews
- vanilla pudding
Stress Relief and Self-Care Products
Every mom needs stress relief and self-care. We mamas tend to get very focused on taking care of the people around us and overlook ourselves. These products make especially great Mother’s Day gifts for IC moms to encourage resting and self-care. After all, stress can cause bladder flares, so anything to reduce mom’s stress helps in multiple ways.
Heat or cold packs
No matter how many of these products she has, the IC mom can always use more. Always. Heat packs or heating pads can be great for alleviating muscle tension and easing pain. Many IC patients also have other conditions, such as fibromyalgia, that cause body pain. Cold packs provide relief as well, especially after physical therapy.
Coloring books or journals
Coloring books and journals are great tools for moms to relax and reset. A pretty coloring book along with colored pencils makes an excellent gift an IC mom can do while sitting comfortably. Guided or prompted journals can encourage moms to focus on certain topics like gratitude to help manage anxiety.
Sleep masks
Getting a good night’s sleep is a struggle for many IC patients. Soft, satiny sleep masks come in handy to block out light for daytime naps. Or some people find them ideal to use at night to encourage their brains to shut down.
Reading material
For bookworm IC moms, books and magazines are great gift options. A terrific self-care option is a book about IC. For stress relief, pick a heartwarming or humorous fiction book to keep her enthralled.
Meaningful, Personalized Gifts
Moms with and without IC appreciate meaningful, personalized gifts for Mother’s Day. The good news is many of these types of gifts are either inexpensive or free!
A customized photo book
Thanks to smartphones, moms these days take lots of photos. But, actually printing them out is a whole other thing. Put together a custom photo book or album with cherished memories from a vacation, big family event or even just the past year.
Handwritten letters or homemade cards
Moms do so much work with little recognition. Getting a thoughtful letter or homemade card can let her know how much she’s appreciated and how much you care. As a mom, I love these kind of gifts! And bonus tip, you can pair this gift option with any other gift idea on the list as well.
DIY coupon book
It may sound corny, but often the best gift you can give is quality time. Make a coupon book offering various ways to spend quality time together along with chores you can conquer for her, and mom will swoon!
References
- Harold L. Aromatherapy Scents for Stress Relief. Verywell Mind. Jan. 3, 2023.
