Mother's Day Gift Guide 2020
Mother's Day Gift Recommendations from the Hike it Baby Staff
For many of us, the word “Mom” conjures images of comfort and trust. Whether it be your own mother, the mother of your children, a grandmother, or a motherly figure who has made a positive impact in your life. Mothers tend to be the backbone of the family. They are the person you turn to when you need advice, the one you call first with both happy and sad news, and the one you know will always love you no matter what happens in life. Let’s celebrate the motherly figures in our life this Mother’s Day (and every day) with a gift that will surely bring a smile to her face! We consulted the Hike it Baby staff to create this list of products they recommend to make mom’s life easier, more adventurous, and more comfortable.
Jessica Carrillo Alatorre - Executive Director
Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook - Track your life, journal, take notes about your favorite trails, and reuse the pages over and over again with this eco-friendly, smart, reusable notebook. Snap a picture and automatically sync it to the folder you want. The Rocketbook is great for modern moms on the go! I love it for bullet journaling and taking creative notes with my colorful Frixion pens.
Sterling Silver Mountain Pendant - I love getting pretty, simple jewelry that reflects the outdoors. Sterling silver is a favorite because it holds up against the tough stuff life with kids can throw at it (tugging, chewing, food or other sticky stuff, etc) and it cleans up easily. Turtle Fur + Hike it Baby Tube - I love my HiB Turtle Fur tube, especially in this time of social distancing and trying to stay virus-free. Cloth face coverings are being recommended by the CDC for our essential errands and times we have to go into public spaces. This particular tube is versatile, super soft inside, and has beautiful HiB themed art.
EcoVessel Boulder Insulated Water Bottle - I love drinking out of a metal bottle that doesn't flavor my water. Bonus points if it can maintain the temperature of the drink I put in it for hours on end. As a busy mom, drinking coffee while it's hot is almost impossible, except in a double-walled container. Ice cold beverages ready after a hike in the hot sun are another rare treat. With a strainer in the lid, the EcoVessel is extra awesome because I can keep the ice from hitting my teeth or make infused water right in my daily drink container.
Linzay Davis - Director of Communication and Corporate Relations
Merrell Antora Rainbow Shoes - I have had these everyday hiking shoes for about a year and they are the best! My other hiking shoes are collecting dust because I only wear these. And I always get tons of compliments on them. L.L.Bean Mountain Classic Anorak - This is my favorite jacket for morning walks on the beach when it’s chilly and the air is still damp. I’ve been eying this rugby pullover for morning walks when it’s too warm for a jacket but too chilly for a t-shirt. Herschel Fanny Pack - My daughter is not interested in sitting in the stroller anymore so it basically just holds all our stuff. I’d love this fanny pack to store my phone, snacks, etc so I can leave the stroller behind. Hatch Baby Rest Night Light - I splurged and bought this multi-functional night light/ sound machine/time-to-rise system a few weeks ago after a few too many 5 am wake ups and it has proved to be the best $60 dollars I have ever spent. The earliest my daughter has woken up since we started using it is 6:45 am! I’ll pay that any day for an extra two hours of sleep!
Kayla Klein - Community Development Manager
L.L.Bean Camp Comfort Rocker - I’ve been looking for a comfortable travel chair for soccer, camping, and just hanging out in our driveway. L.L.Bean Waterproof Outdoor Blanket - I'm always looking for a place for my kids to eat their snacks and rest on the trail. We also use blankets on the soccer fields. This blanket is large enough to comfortably fit my large family and also easily stored for on the go.
All Around Staff Favorite
L.L.Bean Women’s Streamside Tee - Inspired by women who live and breathe the outdoor lifestyle, this everyday tee is designed to go from backyard picnics to outdoor adventures with ease. The lightweight performance fabric wicks moisture and dries fast, for cool comfort even when temperatures soar. Plus, it’s made with Bluesign®-approved fabric to reduce the impact on the environment.
Emma Carsey - Membership & Events Manager
Magnolia Table, Volume 2 - Cooking and baking bring me such delight. It’s a total joy for me to nourish my people and gather with them around the table. The original Magnolia cookbook is a favorite of mine and I am eager to get my hands on this second edition. Apple Airpods - I love listening to books on audio and podcasts but I don’t have a pair of wireless earbuds yet. These are high on my list because they’re great to help when mama needs a few moments of zen! L.L.Bean Wicked Good Slippers - We may be getting ready to head into warmer months but I want to be ready when the cold months circle back around! These slippers from L.L. Bean are the creme de la creme!
Elicia Giffin - Office Manager
Hanmack Double Hammock - During our Stay at Home orders we have been able to spend a lot of time in our backyard and, while it’s normally brought along on hikes or while camping, I’ve been extra grateful for this hammock to relax in. It’s easy to set up, (on trees, or weight-bearing post/decks) and can provide a cuddly nap with your tiny person, a fun swing time or a place to unwind at the end of the day. L.L.Bean Adventure Duffle - I’ve been rocking mine since 1999. It’s been a go-to for 20+ years and has traveled to 3 continents with me, not to mention 15 or more states. Thanks to Grandma, it has my initials embroidered in so the odds of someone else grabbing it at the airport if I decide to check it are low. Untamed by Glennon Doyle - Who were you before the world told you who to be? And how do you get back to her? Glennon Doyle is an author I’ve been following closely for the last 5 years and this book (released March 2020) is her best yet. Her desire to know and love herself, then help other women do the same through witty heartfelt storytelling will keep readers coming back for more.
All Around Staff Favorite
Merrell Women's Jungle Moc -This iconic shoe from Merrell is the epitome of low-maintenance, comfortable footwear. It features a smooth suede upper and Merrell air cushion underfoot for extra support. The best part is that it comes in a kid version as well so you can outfit the whole family in these cozy, slip-on shoes!
Sara Wesche - Content Coordinator
Merrell Altalight Hikers - I’m loving these hikers from Merrell this spring. On top of being purple, they are so light and fit like a glove. They were comfortable right out of the box and they have been my go-to for both hiking and playing in the yard. Matador Mini Pocket Blanket, Ultralight Hiking Picnic Blanket/Beach Blanket - This is a staple in my bag and goes with us everywhere. I’ve used it for diaper changes to sitting on damp grass or laying out snacks. And, it is super easy to fold back up and stuff into the attached carry bag thanks to the stitched folding guidelines (seriously, this is from someone that can’t fold a map to save their life). The Mommy Hook - I received the Mommy Hook as a random gift at my shower and beyond using it to hang things from the stroller, including a Strider bike, it comes in handy pulling a sled in the winter or hooking extra things (like hats, water bottles, mittens) to the outside of my hiking pack. LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer, Alarm Clock, Night Light Sleep Sounds Machine - I love getting up before everyone else and having time to drink my coffee alone in peace. This mighty little machine has saved my mornings. I used to have a little bedroom escapee roaming the house in the wee hours, and now he stays in his room until I’m ready for him. I appreciate that it's teaching him to tell time and to set boundaries.
Liz Schultz - Social Media Coordinator
Sunday Afternoons Sunset Hat - Love this hat on those super sunny days in Wyoming, plus I enjoy the cowboy-ish look. I love that I can wear it while hiking, fishing, or just running errands around town! Merrell Women's Ever Move Tight - I live in tights and love this pair from Merrell, plus it’s from their line of clothing that partners with She Explores, one of my favorite podcasts too! Too Far in the North by Margaret Murie - This book is authored by the grande dame of the wilderness movement, a BAMF who took her babies on expeditions when they were still nursing. Her conservation efforts led to passing the Wilderness Act, and she’s known as the Grandmother of Conservation. To be honest, this book has been on my list to read for a while, so I’m excited to dive into it! If you’ve already read it, let me know how you liked it!
All Around Staff Favorite
Hike it Baby Membership - This Mothers' Day, give the gift of an outdoor community to a post-partum mom, a mom with young children, or a mom-to-be with an annual Hike it Baby membership. Or, make a donation to help moms with babies and young children and their families connect to the outdoors and each other.
Hike it Baby works to be the most effective hub of tools, information, and community inspiring all families with babies and young children to get outside and connect with nature. Learn more about Hike it Baby's mission and how you can get involved.
About Hike it Baby
Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos courtesy of Turtle Fur, L.L.Bean, Merrell, Magnolia Table, Sunday Afternoons, and Deanna Curry.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of those links you won't pay more but Hike it Baby will get a small commission which helps us further our mission. Thanks!