Don’t Blow it this Mother’s Day: The Noodad Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT…  
Mother’s Day is May 13th

Any unimaginative schmo can go to Coach and get his wife a clutch purse for Mother’s Day…and if you’re considering doing this, get with the times – those things were popular three years ago. Too many dads will go to Things Remembered and buy a sterling picture frame – nice but it’s watching paint dry BORING. Dude, you were in the delivery room – she deserves more. 

If you were leaning toward either of these items OR have no idea whatsoever to get your beloved for arguably the most important of gift-giving days (think about it – how much emotion is wrapped up in being a mother?!), never fear brethren…the Noodad Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide is here! If you know who your wife is, we can help you do better. After all, the Noodad motto is “we’re here for ya man!” 

Our handy-dandy guide is easy to use. Simply find the mom that is your wife below, read and click to buy. We’ve vetted these gift ideas with an impartial, objective, broad-based panel of experts (aka the wives of the Noodad editorial staff) to insure coolness and brownie-point garnering appeal. We don’t guarantee these products to be Grand Salamis (best of all time)…but we bet they’ll be homers and better received than whatever you were thinking!

For the Mom Always on the Go:  A Trendy Baby Carrier – You won’t splurge before the kiddo is born. Now’s the time. The Baby Bjorn is great but it’s not very trendy. Your wife and kid look like they’re tandem skydiving. Luckily, there’s a HUGE cottage- industry for upscale baby carriers out there offering you tons of options for ways to deck out mom. Two of our favorites: 

For the City Slicker: PortaMEe Carrier by PortaMEe – Luxurious materials including micro fiber, micro suede, leather and brass hardware make the PortaMEe carrier the Gucci sack-bag of baby carriers. Smart design makes it one of the most comfortable to wear. It’s a hip carrier meaning that um…baby rides on mom’s hip. The internal lumbar support gives ideal support and extends the length of time that it can be worn comfortably. Integrated pockets for essentials like diapers, wipes, personal items and a cell phone (located conveniently on the shoulder strap) give it Swiss Army Knife functionality. All of this carrying capacity makes it possible for mom to ditch the stroller and shed the diaper bag and purse for errands around town. The secure fit leaves her hands free to hold onto subway hand grabs and open doors. It’s one sharp package that carries a desirable air of exclusivity. Available in brown/pink and brown/blue. Suitable for ages 5 months through 3 years.  $198 

 

 

For the Hip Minimalist: Sprout Pouch by Sprout Pouch – They don’t come any easier than this! A single, sized to fit cotton and lycra sling (XS, S, M & L) which can be configured in three carrying styles for newborn, facing out and hip-hugger, the Sprout Pouch is welcome relief for mom from the myriad of straps, rings, pulleys, levers and flying buttresses that adorn her other carriers. Mrs. ReviewDad, skeptical at first because of the lack of adjustment mechanisms, became an enthusiastic convert after just one wearing. She also loves how small it folds up and because it does, she brings it everywhere. Available in six funky/loud patterns (which the women in our lives told us is ALL the rage) and two solids, each is reversible to a solid color and is machine washable. Good for babies up to 35 lbs. $56 

 

 

For the NooMom: Deluxe Baby Keepsake Kit from Red Envelope – Regardless of whether she’s or a first time mom, or a new mom again, she’ll absolutely eat this one up. Capture baby’s hand and foot prints for posterity with this easy to use kit from gift savior Red Envelope. With a wood frame (choice of several colors), glass, no-bake impression material, multiple backing boards and available monogram plaque, it contains all of the materials you need to assemble a great looking display and is something that’s a classy take on a traditional memory box (there are some horribly cheesy takes on this idea out there). You’ll both be happy to have this hanging on your wall. $60 ($70 with monogram) 

For the Yogi (or Aspiring Yogi): Yote Bag by Sherpani – Show your wife that you remember that there was a time when she had a life she called her own. Remember that time? Neither does she. If she was into yoga, she’s either dying to get back to it or it’s saving her sanity right now. Regardless, yoga gear is one of those gifts that’s a no-brainer win win. Why? Because even if she has a mat or bag, chances are that there’s someone in class who’s bag is “way cuter.” The Yote (Yoga + Tote = Yote, get it!) from Sherpani is both stylish and functional. Extra points because Sherpani is a brand with a lot of desirable “underground” cache right now. Women like totes because they’re big, go over the shoulder and stand on their own. The Yote is nylon finished in animal-friendly faux leather trim has a convenient cut out (with strap) for her yoga mat which is included. $89 

 
For the Working Girl: Built NY Lunch Tote – For the working mom, something durable (which appeals to her motherly sensibilities), useful (appealing to her womanly instinct) and cute (appealing to the girl in your woman), Built NY offers its Lunch Tote. This insulated, washable neoprene (think wetsuits) lunch carrier unzips to form a placemat, holds a bottled drink, a sandwich or salad in Tupperware, piece of fruit, snack/candy bar, napkin and utensils and will pick up your dry cleaning too! Ok, so we’re kidding about that last one but this Jetsons-esque “lunch box” has instant and lasting appeal. Help her be the coolest kitten in the (work) kitchen.  $22 

For the Chatter Box: HF820 Bluetooth Car Speakerphone Kit by Motorola from Amazon.com - She’s here, she’s there, she’s every friggin’ where. She might not be a soccer mom but she likely spends a heck of a lot of time in the Family Truckster. The phone is a fact of life and she doesn’t need the hassle of a headset (the cord is always tangled or if it’s cordless, it’s always lost somewhere in the car) so give her Motorola’s HF820 Bluetooth Car Kit and let her go hands free. The HF820 is billed as “easy install” and it truly is. She simply clips the speaker unit to the sun visor and syncs it with her mobile phone. It gets 5 hours of talk time and 100 hours of standby on a single charge (car charger is included) and has a single multi-function button that answers, ends and switches between calls. A dial controls volume. Echo and noise reduction technology helps ensure she doesn’t sound like she’s talking from inside a tin can. Compatible with most Bluetooth enabled phones. Reg. $99 but $46 right now at Amazon. 

For the Earth Mother: GT Jane Shoes by Simple -  Motherhood has a way of making environmentalists out of even the most conspicuous consumer (how many Dansani bottles could you count in her apartment at a given time when you were dating?)…that whole “what will we leave for our kid’s generation” question pops up a lot. Simple – a shoe company with serious eco-green cred offers the GT Jane shoe in its Green Toe collection. These “low earth impact” kicks are made of woven Jute fiber with bamboo linings, natural rubber and recycled tire material soles. Greener feet would require wading in algae! Uber-breathable, they’re perfect for running after Jr. in those hot summer months. And thanks to Prius-driving, do-gooder, baby adopting celebs, nothing’s hipper than being an earth mother.  $85  

For the Gadget Girl: iKaraoke for iPod by Griffin  – If she loves gadgets, loves her iPod and loves to sing, then get her the iKaraoke. In a marketplace chock full of iPod peripherals (there’s an iPod powered vibrator called iBuzz…but your wife doesn’t need that of course!), the iKaraoke stands out as being among the most whiz-bang. It’s an all-in-one karaoke system that plugs into most iPods (4-5g iPods, Mini, and 1-2g Nanos) allowing her to let her inner Madonna out. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is your call. Comprised of a processor unit and microphone, the iKaraoke isolates the lead vocal track on any song fading it out to give your woman the opportunity to take over. The faded track and her voice are transmitted through your home audio system via the built in FM transmitter or the included line out. No batteries required…it’s powered by the iPod’s juice. $50 

So there you have it Noodads – eight sure to please gifts for the mom in your house. Now step to the plate brothers and take your cuts!

GOT A GREAT GIFT IDEA? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FELLOW NOODADS. WE STILL HAVE TIME TO SHOP!