The best Mother’s Day gift cards in 2023

An Amazon gift card is probably the safest pick on this list but also the most useful. With a never-ending catalog of items to scroll through, an Amazon gift card gives your recipient the freedom of choice. The retailer is promising one to two-day shipping for its physical gift cards and same-day delivery for digital gift cards.

For decades, Best Buy has been a tech haven for enthusiasts and geeks, carrying virtually any tech brand and product that one could think of. While Amazon has caught up over the past years when it comes to gadget offerings, there's still a reason to shop at Best Buy instead: price matching. Show any floor associate a better deal on a product and they'll price match to compete. While inventory and delivery times have taken a hit, a Best Buy gift card is your best bet for any tech-loving recipient.

As my mom always says, “food always tastes better when someone else makes it.” Needless to say, food always makes a pretty solid gift. Food delivery services like Grubhub have boomed over the past couple of years and the pandemic is just another reason to eat in. With a Grubhub gift card, you can order delivery (or takeout) from hundreds of local restaurants, including mom-and-pop locations — all from the comfort of your home.

There's only one streaming service that gives you high-definition playback of the multiverse that is Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Treat your recipient to a one-year subscription of Disney Plus with this digital gift card. With it, they'll gain access to the latest superhero flicks and animation along with the classics. 

Also: Best streaming services: Disney Plus 10 other top picks

I'll be the first to admit that I've purchased birthday and holiday gifts from Etsy for many years, and perhaps you have as well. And if there's one thing you should know about buying custom-made gifts, it's that they take time. That's why an Etsy gift card makes for a timely and thoughtful gift, especially if your recipient loves arts and crafts. You'll also be supporting local businesses!

Is your mom treating herself to a night on the town soon? Treat her to a free ride. Gifting to a mom or mother figure who's not a big cook? Treat them to free takeout. An Uber gift card is more flexible than you'd think and makes for a great present that comes in handy no matter when and where.

For all the glitz and glamour, a Sephora gift card makes for the perfect last-minute gift. The retailer hosts dozens of beauty brands, ranging from skincare to cosmetics to fragrances, allowing your recipient to try a little bit of this and that, or replenish their go-to products.