12 Prepper Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day [2023]
This post has been updated multiple times from our original Mother’s Day Gift Idea Guide which was first published in 2017. Check back every year to find the best Mother’s Day gifts for that tough-to-buy-for prepper in your life (or to update your own wish list).
Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to show the wonderful moms in your life how much you care with a gift or a gesture. Your mother may have been the biggest influence you have ever had or she may have been just there for you in thick and thin. She took care of you and taught you what you know in those early years of your life. Many prepping skills have been passed through the generations by moms. Whether you learned home skills such as canning and cooking or got dirty with some gardening and hunting, the lessons you learned from your mother have stuck. If you are married to a mom, you can see this from a different perspective as she interacts with the kids. Moms deserve appreciation, whether it’s the mother that brought you into this world or the woman raising your children.
Mother’s Day is the one day that special mom in your life your appreciation for everything she has done. Although she deserves to be appreciated every day, a single token, gesture, or spending time with her on Mother’s Day can tell her a lot about how you feel. It is coming up soon this year, with Mother’s Day falling on May 14. If the mother in your life is an avid prepper, homesteader, or just appreciates being prepared; check out the gift ideas below. We list the gifts in order of cost, so you can get the best gift for your loving mom and for your budget.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
Survival Bandana
Not much is as versatile as a bandana. One way to improve on a bandana is to add a little information to it. With almost twenty options to choose from, you can find something that she likes and that could help her out in a disaster situation.
Our top pick from our survival bandana roundup by Colter Co. has a wide variety of bandanas to choose from, there is definitely something your mother would like.
Canning Kit
Canning is half science, half art, and a full-blown prepping hobby. If your Mom is a prepper but hasn’t tried canning yet (this is very rare), she doesn’t need that much of a push.
Canning supplies are always great to have on hand, and we reviewed the best canning kits recently, so it’s fresh on my mind. We’ll show our favorite tool kit below, but if you want to go ahead and get her a water bath pot or pressure canner you’ll want to check out that review.
Solar Garden Lights
These things are incredibly useful. Whether they are adding some flair to your garden or providing light in an emergency, they are cheap and practical. As long as they get sunshine during the day, they are basically tea candles at night. Tea candles that last much, much longer.
It is my opinion that you can’t have enough of these things- especially at this price. You can probably find them even cheaper at your local hardware store.
Fireproof Pouches
A fireproof bag and pouch give your mom a great way to protect her valuables and photos that don’t need to take up room in a safe. To add a personalized touch, stuff a picture of the two of you together inside and you have the perfect Mother’s Day gift.
While it is functional, you also can talk about how it symbolizes that you are there for her in the worst of times!
Swiss Army Knife
The functionality and versatility of a Swiss army knife just can’t be beaten. Except by maybe a multitool. But a Swiss army knife is the smaller original version of a multitool that can get the job done without weighing down a purse.
The Classic SD is a great option and is available in an amazing number of styles. Pick out the one best for mom, whether it is pink, florals, or just classic red.
French Coffee Press
Powers out? Electric coffee maker not working? A French press can come to the rescue. With boiled water, you can still get your coffee fix. This is a great gift for the coffee lover. As with most basic kitchen utensils, you can get them in a variety of styles and quality.
We picked our favorite which also happens to be the highest reviewed. The French don’t get much right, but they figured out how to make some great coffee- even without electricity.
Candle Lantern
Candle lanterns are versatile for any situation. When you aren’t using them during a power outage, they are the perfect mood-setter for picnics and other adventures. Grab one of these to give your mom a surefire hit on Mother’s Day.
RFID Blocking Wallet
I won’t pretend to know fashion from a bag I pull out of the trash, but RFID protection is important in modern society. You can get the RFID Blocking sleeves for free at most banks, but that’s just an extra hassle having to remove the sleeve every time you use the card.
An RFID-blocking wallet eliminates this hassle and still keeps you relatively safe. When picking one out, make sure you pick a wallet that fits mom’s fashion sensibility- or include a gift receipt!
Food Dehydrator
A food dehydrator is more than just another kitchen appliance, it is one of the best ways to improve your long-term food storage. Dehydrating can be fun, rewarding, and flavorful too- who does like dried fruits or jerky?
Concealed Carry Class
Having the special mom in your life be safe is probably a priority for you. Hit two birds with one stone by taking a concealed carry class together. If you need a permit as well, you could get one easily and spend a little quality time sending some rounds downrange with Mom. If you already have a permit, it is still a great opportunity to hang out and teach your mother a thing or two about firearms and safety.
Classes run around $100 where I live if you bring your own pistol and ammo. If you borrow, it can run about $150.
Storage Shelving
Every prepper can use more shelving if they have room for it. Flimsy shelves won’t do, we don’t want our gear and supplies ending up in a mess on the floor!
Lucky for you, we’ve already shared the best shelves for preppers, so it’s a no-brainer if Mom has the space. As an added bonus, help her to set up and organize the shelves for a gift that she will truly appreciate.
Indoor Garden
Being able to garden indoors is a game-changer. This all-in-one solution makes it easy. If you are looking to grow more than just herbs, you may want to consider a full hydroponic system.
Either way, the Miracle Grow AeroGarden makes a great gift to get started growing herbs where herbs normally wouldn’t want to grow.
Freeze Dryer
Looking for something a little grander? Look no further than the top-of-the-line freeze dryer. Freeze-drying food on your own is expensive, but if you have the room and the know-how it can be very rewarding. It is the pinnacle of at-home food preservation, and any prepper would love to have their own.
You can freeze-dry a variety of foods for extreme shelf life in your pantry and make some pretty tasty snacks along the way. Here is our most recommended model from our freeze dryer review:
Local Survival Map
You can find and print local maps for free online. Maps are great for lots of things- from wall decorations to survival kits. They are easy to personalize since you can make the map focused on whatever area you want.
It could be a place that is special to you both, or you can print off a functional bug-out area. It’s super easy to print a survival map and we can show you how here:
The Final Word
The best thing you can give your mom for Mother’s Day is a little time. Call her up and let her know that you are thinking of her. Stop by her house and catch up on all the little things.
Take a moment to reminisce with her and just pause to enjoy hanging out with her. Make Mother’s Day special for all the mothers in your life.
You have Dad’s special day around the corner, so don’t forget about him. Also, check out our comprehensive gift guide:
- Prepper and Survival Gear Gifts for Father’s Day
- EDC for Women – Staying Prepared
- Best Survival Gift Ideas for Preppers
Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.
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Darn, I’ve gotten the wife about 80% of these items already.
Hi – the list for Father’s Day versus Mother’s Day is so sexist. Solar gardens, shelving and a French Press compared to the male list? Is this a joke? An aerogarden is not what mom wants. Mom wants what’s on dad’s list so she’ll get dad that for Father’s Day and use that instead.