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Perfect New England Gifts for Mom

Surprise your New England-loving mom on Mother’s Day, her birthday, or any day.

By Kim Knox Beckius

May 04 2023

Lobster-Clutch-New-England-gift

Mom’s new beaded lobster clutch will be the envy of all of her friends.

Photo Credit : Navy Jame

Does your mom love New England as much as the moms at Yankee? Whether you’re Mother’s Day shopping or treating your sweet mom to a surprise “just because,” we feel confident these New England gifts will delight her. We’ve selected products that spring from the creative hands and minds of New England women, so your gift purchases support small businesses and individual creators. That’ll make you Mom’s favorite, for sure.

Lobster Clutch from Navy Jane

“Butter is love,” a chef once told me, but I’m not sure mom would be impressed if you wrapped up a tub or a stick. So, if she loves butter and lobster, go this route. Connecticut-based Navy Jane specializes in size-inclusive women’s clothing with preppy New England style, and what could be more suitable for all moms than their navy and red Harper beaded clutch, which practically screams classic New England with its lobster design. This simple, fold-over bag elevates any outfit instantly.

Nantucket Basket Jewelry from Whale Tail Weaving

Bridget Wiatrowski’s mom was a basket weaver, and her company—Whale Tail Weaving—is on a mission to not only keep the art of Nantucket Lightship Basket weaving alive but to make this distinctive island tradition more accessible. If your mom owns or has ever coveted a Nantucket Lightship Basket, you likely know authentically crafted baskets are an investment. The bracelets made by Whale Tail Weaving using the same techniques are available at a more giftable price point, and, as Wiatrowski likes to say, they allow you to “take your grandmother’s lightship basket purse off the mantel and wear it around every day.”

Nantucket Basket Bracelets from Whale Tail Weaving
Whale Tail Weaving has turned the Nantucket lightship basket into a wearable accessory.
Photo Credit : Whale Tail Weaving

A New Favorite Blanket from ChappyWrap

“Chappy” is Vineyarders’ nickname for Chappaquiddick, and this special island destination is the inspiration for ChappyWrap‘s flagship product: a magnificently soft, plush, 60″x80″ blanket that is lightweight yet warm. And did we mention the ChappyWrap is available in the loveliest patterns and hues for spring? The company’s been a mother-daughter success story since it was founded in 2006 by Beth Haller LaSala, then reinvigorated after her daughter, Christina Livada, came aboard in 2018. Pro tip: You may want to have your purchase shipped straight to your mom because once this blanket is in your possession, you might not be able to imagine summer nights on the porch or under the stars without it.

ChappyWrap Blanket is a New England Gift Moms Love
We’re partial to this “Garden Gate Blue” patterned ChappyWrap, but this ultrasoft blanket comes in many styles.
Photo Credit : ChappyWrap

Adventure-to-Dinner Attire from Dudley Stephens

For on-the-go moms who want to look polished day or night, Connecticut-based, family-owned company Dudley Stephens offers colorful, soft fleece pullovers and other wardrobe staples that stay top-of-drawer for their loyal customers. If your mom is new to the brand, she’ll be pleased to know it’s the creation of sisters Lauren Stephens and Kaki McGrath, along with their own mom, Bonnie. Even more heartwarming: Dudley Stephens’ fashions are made from responsibly sourced and recycled fabrics, and, through their #dsgives initiative, they’ve already raised more than $200,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their Mother’s Day Gift Guide is the perfect place to start your search for a gift Mom will cherish.

Mother's Day Gifts from Dudley Stephens
A day on Long Island Sound inspired this trio of mother and daughters to found Dudley Stephens, a New England clothing company.
Photo Credit : Dudley Stephens

“Cure All” Bundle from Herd Supply

Leah Beckett, founder of Massachusetts-based Herd Supply Co., sources the natural ingredients for her products from small sheep farms across the Northeast. Introduce your mom to Herd Supply Co.’s small-batch, sustainable, handcrafted-in-New-England products with this special Cure All gift bundle. The Nana Lanolin Kitchen Soap Block, a citrus-scented utility soap, comes with a cedar-wood tray that keeps it dry between uses. It’s tough on grease, yet gentle on those hands that held you when you were a baby. The bundle also includes a jar of Cure All Salve, which she’ll love smoothing on her hands, chapped lips, heels, or other dry, irritated skin.

Lanolin Kitchen Soap from New England company Herd Supply Co.
This lanolin kitchen soap and cedar tray make cleanup a delight, rather than a chore.
Photo Credit : Herd Supply Co.

The FamilyTasker from James Point

Stationery company owner Kathleen Kurjanowicz knows what busy moms need, and she’s designed the FamilyTasker not only to help keep everyone in the fam on the same page but to outdo other products on the market. How so, you ask? Not only is this organizer from James Point sized to help moms keep track of a week’s worth of tasks, it has dedicated space for the most important question of all: What’s for dinner? Book-cloth binding elevates the look; a hidden magnet literally allows Mom to elevate this organizer and keep it in view. And the FamilyTasker’s pages are refillable, so this gift is earth-friendly, too. Like all of James Point’s products, the FamilyTasker is designed and shipped from the company’s Bath, Maine, headquarters.

FamilyTasker by Maine company James Point
Once Mom is hooked on the FamilyTasker, she’ll want refills for gifts every year.
Photo Credit : James Point

Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt

Published in March of 2023, Rhode Islander Julie Gerstenblatt‘s debut novel follows three women during Nantucket’s Great Fire of 1846. Mother-daughter relationships feature in two of these three storylines, making the book a great read for moms who love classic tales that celebrate the strength of New England women. Make your gift extra special by ordering an autographed copy of Daughters of Nantucketfrom independent Rhode Island bookseller Barrington Books.

Daughters of Nantucket Book Cover
Is your mom a reader? Treat her to a copy of this buzzed-about first novel by Rhode Island-based author Julie Gerstenblatt.

Just Hatched Baby Gift Set from Simply Chickie

For the new mom or mom-to-be, this Just Hatched short-sleeve onesie and hat combo is a cute, lighthearted gift. There’s a meaningful backstory behind every baby product sold by Rhode Island’s Simply Chickie, though. “Chief Chick” and founder Gwendolyn Gardner started her company in 2005 shortly after learning she had cancer and was pregnant in the same week. “I went organic in all ways possible, including paying attention to textiles,” she remembers. Organic cotton is not only best for babies’ porous skin, this breathable material is sustainable and eco-friendly.

New England gift for new moms and moms to be from Simply Chickie
Earth-friendly organic cotton baby clothing from Simply Chickie will delight new moms and their “just hatched” little ones, too.
Photo Credit : Simply Chickie

A House in Maine by Nina Campbell

Moms who love art and design will enjoy journeying along to Maine with Nina Campbell, Britain’s preeminent interior designer, in this March 2023 book release from Rizzoli. In A House in Maine, Campbell, who has worked with royalty and with celebrities like Rod Stewart and Ringo Starr, turns her eye to three structures and the glorious landscape of a secluded Maine estate overlooking a bay. Her color palette is a departure from what you might expect to see on the northern New England coast, and it may just inspire your mom to add more purple to her world, too. This 240-page hardcover book filled with full-color images by Paul Raeside is, itself, a beautiful addition to any decor.

A House in Maine gift book cover
“A House in Maine” by Nina Campbell and Giles Kime (Rizzoli New York; 2023) is available from the publisher or your favorite bookseller.
Photo Credit : Paul Raeside