clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

5 superhero gift ideas for the fantastic mom in your life

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, y’all

If you buy something from a Polygon link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Wonder Woman - Antiope Alex Bailey/ TM & © DC Comics/Warner Bros. Pictures

What defines a superhero? Is it alien abilities, cool gadgets, an impractical costume? Those things are neat, sure, but ultimately it’s how someone uses those attributes that makes them an icon. “With great power comes great responsibility” and all that.

Your mom is often the first superhero in your life. When you’re a kid, she seems to possess superhuman strength or a sixth sense for when you’re getting into trouble. Like all great superheroes, though, great moms always wield those abilities with compassion. She’s there to keep you safe and make your world better, whether that’s protecting you from bullies or keeping you from eating too much junk food.

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, May 13 and if you haven’t yet gotten a gift for the mom in your life, it’s time to get moving. Here are some superhero-themed, mom-approved gift ideas to let your mom, grandma or mother of your children know that you appreciate everything she does to improve your world. And you’re welcome to use that superhero metaphor in the card.

A Captain Marvel Purse

Captain Marvel Crossbody Purse, $59.99
ThinkGeek
Captain Marvel Sash Purse, $69.99
ThinkGeek

Once her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut is released next year, Captain Marvel will likely be a mom favorite. Not only is she being played by the relentlessly charismatic Brie Larson, there’s also the nostalgia factor — the Captain Marvel movie is set in the 90s. Either of these Captain Marvel purses, available at ThinkGeek, would make a fun gift for a mom who channels Carol Danvers’ combination of compassion and badass strength every day.

Wonder Woman Jewelry

Wonder Woman Logo Charm Bangle, $38
Alex and Ani
Wonder Woman Ring Wrap, $38
Alex and Ani

Alex and Ani, the jewelry designer behind the adjustable charm bracelets that were super trendy in the mid-2000s, has a Wonder Woman collection that includes a few of those bangles, as well as necklaces, rings and earrings. These bracelets probably won’t stop bullets, but they will defintely show your mom that you think she’s wonderful.

A Customized Coffee Mug

Nakia & Okoye Mug, starts at $16.95
shopDisney
Scarlet Witch Mug, starts at $16.95
shopDisney

If your mom loves coffee and/or Marvel movies, shopDisney has a bunch of coffee mugs in various sizes (including travel mugs) featuring heroes and a few villains from the MCU and Marvel comics. They’re customizable, so you can change the handle and rim to her favorite colors or add text. The image can be switched out as well so if you really want to get fancy, you can Photoshop her into The Avengers and put it on a mug.

Empowering Comics

Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor/Marvel Comics
Cameron Stewart/DC Comics

My mom’s experience with comic books is pretty limited to Archie and Calvin and Hobbes collections, but I think she’d really enjoy some of the newer stories featuring young women coming into their powers. If your mom has at least a passing interest in comics, start her off with the first volume of a series you think she’d be into. Plus, you’ll have something to talk about next time you see her. Some of my favorites: Ms. Marvel, Spider-Gwen and Batgirl.

A Super Subscription Box

Ladies of Legend Subscription Box, starts at $15.99 per month

For the truly nerdy moms, a monthly subscription box is a gift that lets you know you’re thinking of her all year. Of course LootCrate is the go-to, but the Ladies of Legend monthly box is also a fun subscription based on a different (usually) female comic book character every month.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for Patch Notes

A weekly roundup of the best things from Polygon