Need a last-minute Mother's Day gift? Here are 7 ideas from the Coachella Valley

Niki Kottmann and Kate Franco, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·5 min read
Windmill City Super #1 opened in October 2020 in downtown Palm Springs, one of a crop of new local businesses forging a way through during the pandemic-induced recession.
Windmill City Super #1 opened in October 2020 in downtown Palm Springs, one of a crop of new local businesses forging a way through during the pandemic-induced recession.

Haven't found the perfect gift for mom yet for Mother's Day? Don't panic. We're here to help.

You don't even have to leave the desert — or even your house, depending on what you choose — to find a Mother's Day gift that's sure to be a hit. Whether you're looking for something she can wear to remind herself of you, you want to gift her some products to promote self-care, or you want to give her an experience you can enjoy together, you have options.

Here are seven of our favorite gift ideas from local shops:

Desert T-shirt

Price: From $25

Where to get it: Windmill City Super #1: 463 N. Palm Canyon, Palm Springs; super-number-one.com

Whether your mom lives in the desert or just loves visiting you here, she'll love showing off her desert pride with a T-shirt (or other item) made right here in the Coachella Valley. The couple behind Windmill City Screen Printing have a retail shop in downtown Palm Springs stocked with some of their iconic swag, including the signature Super #1 Shop Logo Tee or popular "dirt don't hurt" saying that you can get on a pin, sticker, stocks or T-shirt.

El Paseo shopping spree

Price: Varies

Where to get it: An abundance of shops and stores available to browse online at www.directory.elpaseocatalogue.com/go-shopping.

Can't choose just one shirt for mom? Why not take her on a full-fledged shopping spree? From home furnishing stores to jewelers, El Paseo has a wide variety of shops for you and mom to explore all afternoon. And if you work up an appetite, grab a snack or a full meal at Ristorante Mamma Gina, Shorebird, The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge or a variety of other eateries.

Body Deli products provided to guests of the Louis Vuitton Cruise 16 show held at the Bob Hope estate on May 6.
Body Deli products provided to guests of the Louis Vuitton Cruise 16 show held at the Bob Hope estate on May 6.

Skincare products

Price: From $5

Where to get it: Body Deli: 73-910 Highway 111, Suite B, Palm Desert; 73-560 El Paseo Suite B, Palm Desert; thebodydeli.com

Does your mom deserve a pampering? (The only acceptable answer is yes.) Hand-crafted in the company's "cosmetic kitchen" in Palm Desert, The Body Deli's "cosmetic chefs" whip up fresh, raw and organic products for face, body and hair. Crafted in small batches, the products are used in spas across California and the nation, including the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs. The Palm Springs Spa Collection ($145 for a set of four products) — scented with notes of Medjool date, grapefruit, blood orange, vanilla, ginger and jasmine — is a classic that evokes a warm desert night under the stars.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Pass

Price: From $85

Where to get it: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs; www.pstramway.com

As long as she's not afraid of heights, what better way to beat the heat than a summer pass to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway? The $85 pass entitles holders to unlimited rides on the popular attraction through Aug. 31, and it can be purchased at the tramway's valley station or online. Passholders also get a 10% discount on tram admissions for up to three other people per visit, a 10% discount at the Peaks Restaurant or Pines Cafe eateries located at the top of the tram and unlimited free parking.

Toffee (or a toffee byproduct)

Price: From $8

Where to get it: Brandini Toffee, 42-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 32 S. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs; brandinitoffee.com

Celebrate mom while toasting to a sweet success story. Brandini Toffee started when two La Quinta High School friends wanted to take a class trip to Europe. Their parents challenged them to raise half of the funds needed. They made enough money off their toffee for the trip and a whole lot more. Today, Brandini Toffee is still made in small batches. Lots of very sweet, small batches of almond toffee, toffee-coated popcorn, and toffee popcorn with almonds, chocolate and cashews. The assortment box ($95) offers something for everyone in the family.

Joshua Tree Candle Co. candle

Price: $20

Where to get it: Thick as Thieves, 183 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; shopthieves.com

Give mom the gift of a desert scent memory — favorites include Golden Hour and JT Campfire — whether she's local or a long-distance desert lover. These small-batch, hand-poured candles have become treasured souvenirs from a small, high-desert company that believes in giving back: For every candle you purchase, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Joshua Tree National Park. You can also find the candles at jtcandle.com, the park's visitor centers and other local businesses.

Horseback ride

Price: From $80

Where to get it: Smoke Tree Stables: 2500 S. Toledo Ave., Palm Springs; smoketreestables.com

Looking for a more experiential gift for mom? Insiders know that checking out the mountain vistas and lush palm groves by horseback is where it's at. Smoke Tree Stables is a family-owned business (for more than 75 years) in Palm Springs that takes riders of all abilities on adventures on more than 150 miles of trails — for as short as an hour or as long as a full day. This is an excellent gift for a hiker looking for a change in perspective, or for a group of friends looking to make some memories together.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Mother's Day Palm Springs area gifts: 7 last-minute ideas