CBS News
Best Mother’s Day gifts for your grandma
Mother’s Day 2024 is coming. The most important mother of all, Grandma, deserves all the love, accolades and acknowledgment that Mom does. One of the most special relationships one can have is with their grandparents and Mother’s Day is a terrific time to make sure Grandma knows you appreciate the endless unconditional love she’s shown you through the years.
With grandma in mind, we’ve curated our favorite Mother’s Day gifts. From personalized gifts to a donut bouquet (yes, donuts!), let the doting on Grandma begin.
Best Mother’s Day gifts for Grandma
Below are our top picks for Mother’s Day gifts for Grandma this year.
Best gift for the sentimental grandma: Pottery Barn personalized picture frame
Constructed from aluminum alloy and velvet with a brass or silver finish, this picture frame can be engraved with a sweet message dedicated to Grandma. The frame fits a 5″ x 7″ photo.
Available at Pottery Barn, this frame costs $59. Add a monogram or name for $11.
Why we like this personalized frame:
- We think the best gifts are often those that are personalized to the recipient.
- You can add in your favorite photo of the grandkids for an even more personalized touch.
For the grandmother who loves to cook: Homesick ‘Grandma’s Kitchen’ candle
If the mere mention of going to Grandma’s house brings to mind the aromas of freshly baked deserts and cozy home-cooked meals, Homesick’s “Grandma’s Kitchen” soy blend candle is a terrific Mother’s Day gift — a nod to Grandma’s cooking and welcoming spirit.
This 13.75-ounce candle burns for 60-80 hours, sending notes of butter, apple and cream through the air — the only scent almost as good as Grandma’s apple pie.
This candle is available at Amazon for $23, reduced from $38.
Why we like Homesick’s candle:
- A candle is a terrific gift for anyone, especially those who are hard to buy for.
- A constant reminder of how much you appreciate her, this candle will fill her heart for up to 80 hours.
Best gift for the grandma who likes tech: Digital picture frame
If there’s one thing any grandparent can’t get enough of, it’s photos of the family. This digital frame measures 10.1 inches and can display both photos and videos (up to 15 seconds). The frame’s intuitive screen makes setup easy and the Frameo app makes uploading and displaying photos simple.
This digital frame is available at Amazon for $60, reduced from $70.
Why we like this digital picture frame:
- A digital photo album takes the work out of organizing albums, while still allowing photos to be displayed.
For grandma when she’s spending time at home: Mark & Graham monogrammed throw
Chances are, Grandma’s spending a bit more time at home than she used to. A personalized throw, monogrammed with her initials, is a terrific gift for Grandma. Mark & Graham’s luxurious cotton throw is stretchy, soft and cuddly, terrific for movie nights with Grandma or days spent chatting about anything and everything.
This throw is available at Mark & Graham for $99, reduced from $139. Add a monogram or initial for $12.50.
Why we like this monogrammed throw:
- A personalized throw will keep Grandma cozy when she’s watching her favorite show or diving into today’s Wordle.
- Mark & Graham makes high-quality blankets that are affordably priced, yet still comfortable and soft.
For the grandma who loves her morning coffee: Personalized family mugs from Uncommon Goods
Get personal this Mother’s Day with personalized coffee mugs from Uncommon Goods. Each mug is created to depict a different family member, with choices for hair color, skin tone, clothing color and more, chosen when you order. Create mugs for all of Grandma’s grandchildren, her siblings or your immediate family — you choose.
These ceramic mugs are dishwasher safe. One side of the mug features the artist’s depiction of each person, while the other side can read your family’s name and year established (your choice).
One mug starts at $32 at Uncommon Goods.
Why we like these personalized mugs:
- A personalized gift is always a win with grandparents who will get a kick out of these curated renderings of family members on each mug.
For the woman who loves to read: Gritin 19 LED rechargeable book light
If she’s the type of person who always has a book in hand, grandma will appreciate a book light — this one from Gritin featuring a rechargeable battery delivering 80 hours of run time. The light is lightweight and easily clips onto her book to make disappearing into her favorite book easy at any time of the day.
This reading light is available at Amazon for $16, reduced from $18.
Why we like this rechargeable reading light:
- A reading light helps further her love of reading.
- It offers about 80 hours of runtime off a single charge.
For the grandma who loves sweets: Harry & David donut bouquet
A fresh take on a Mother’s Day flower delivery, gift her a wide array of beautifully decorated donuts arranged like a flower bouquet. Each miniature donut is either dipped in dark or white chocolate and then topped with delicious chocolate drizzle and candy toppings.
This donut bouquet is available at Harry & David for $60.
Why we like this donut bouquet from Harry & David:
- Beautifully presented, this donut bouquet is a clever and delicious way to celebrate Mother’s Day, while also satisfying Grandma’s sweet tooth. She can share it with Grandpa, or keep this sweet treat for herself.
For the woman who loves her pets: Lovepop popup pet-themed Mother’s Day card
Elevate a Mother’s Day card to a work of art with Lovepop’s pop-up Mother’s Day cards, while giving a nod to grandma’s other loved ones — her pets. Lovepop offers cat, dog and turtle-themed Mother’s Day cards that can be displayed long after Mother’s Day has passed.
Lovepop cards are available at Amazon for $13.
Why we like these pop-up cards from Lovepop:
- Lovepop cards are so much more than a card. A gift in and of itself, a Lovepop card will let grandma know you remembered her on Mother’s Day, and remembered her furry (or shelled) friends, too.
For the grandma who loves plants: Personalized plant pot
This custom flower ceramic pot is customizable with grandkids’ names or those of grandma’s children, pets or other family members. Choose the style of writing you like to create a completely personal and adorable plant pot. The plant is not included.
This personalized plant pot is available at Amazon for $17.
Why we like this personalize plant pot:
- A plant is a gift that lasts long past the holiday, which brings joy for months to come — or more. The pot can be used over and over again and the personalization adds a clever touch that will bring Grandma joy every time she sees it.
For the grandma who loves to tell stories: Letters to My Grandchild: Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever
This keepsake of 12 letters is a gift to Grandma and her grandkids. This collection of letters allows grandma to document her stories, thoughts and upbringing with her grandkids, who can open the letters and save them for years to come.
This keepsake letter set is available at Amazon for $13.
Why we like “Letters to My Grandchild”:
- This set will be a cherished memento for generations to come and allows Grandma to share her history and stories with her grandkids young and old.
CBS News
CDC confirms first severe bird flu case in the U.S.
A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.
Officials determined the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, though an investigation into the source of the infection in the state is ongoing. This is also the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock, a news release noted. Officials have not shared details on the patient’s symptoms.
The case was first confirmed by health officials Friday, adding to the total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. Another severe case of H5N1 has been reported in a teen in British Columbia.
A release from the Louisiana Department of Health Wednesday added the patient, a resident of southwestern Louisiana, is currently hospitalized. Until now, the H5N1 cases in the U.S. have been mild, including conjunctivitis and upper respiratory symptoms.
“While the current public health risk for the general public is low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk,” the state’s health department added.
Mild illnesses have been seen in dairy and poultry workers who had close contact with infected animals. In two cases, no known source of the illnesses have been identified, which has worried infectious disease experts about the possibility of human-to-human transmission, which could trigger a pandemic.
CBS News
Houston father desperate for help after wife recovering from C-section, kids deported to Mexico
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Are gold ETFs a good investment now that the price is dropping?
Gold has long served as a safe-haven asset for investors during times of economic uncertainty and market volatility, which is a large part of why it has been so popular over the past year. Thanks to that uptick in gold interest, the price of gold has been climbing throughout much of 2024 — hitting multiple record highs and surpassing $2,700 per ounce at one point late in the year. That price trend has been shifting lately, though, and over the last few weeks, there have been significant fluctuations in gold prices, with the price of gold dropping over the last few days in particular.
With gold’s price currently sitting at under $2,650 per ounce, today’s lower price is prompting many investors to reassess their positions in gold-related investments — including gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These investment vehicles, which track the price of gold without requiring physical ownership of the precious metal, have become increasingly popular among retail and institutional investors alike. Much of the appeal of gold ETFs lies in their simplicity and accessibility. Unlike physical gold, these funds can be easily bought and sold through standard brokerage accounts, offering investors a convenient way to gain exposure to gold price movements.
But while the current price dip could present a good opportunity to buy into gold at a discount, it makes sense to remain cautious about any type of investment right now. So is investing in gold ETFs still a good strategy now that the price of gold is slipping?
Find out how to add gold to your portfolio today.
Are gold ETFs a good investment now that the price is dropping?
When gold prices drop, it can create opportunities for investors to buy at a lower cost, potentially increasing their returns if prices rebound. Gold ETFs provide an easy way to capitalize on this strategy. Unlike physical gold, ETFs can be traded on stock exchanges just like equities, offering liquidity and convenience. They also eliminate the need for storage and security concerns associated with owning physical gold.
There are also a few other reasons to consider investing in gold ETFs despite the current price drops. For starters, gold ETFs offer an efficient way to implement dollar-cost averaging during price dips. By regularly investing fixed amounts, investors can potentially lower their average purchase price over time. This strategy can be particularly effective during periods of price volatility, allowing investors to accumulate positions at various price points.
And while gold prices may be dipping now, it’s unlikely that today’s lower prices will remain the status quo over the longer term. Gold prices have historically rebounded and grown over longer time horizons, so while the current price may be lower than it was a few weeks ago, it could represent a good entry point for long-term investors. That’s particularly true if the fundamental factors supporting gold prices remain intact, such as inflation concerns, currency devaluation risks and global economic uncertainties.
However, investors should consider that there are risks to investing in gold ETFs. One issue is that gold ETFs are subject to market volatility and may not provide immediate returns — so it’s important to make any investing decision based on your unique investment goals and strategy. Gold also generates no income or dividends, making it a pure price appreciation play. The opportunity cost of holding gold ETFs also becomes more significant in high-rate environments where yield-generating investments become more attractive.
Diversify your investments by adding gold to your portfolio now.
Who should invest in gold ETFs now?
While investing in gold ETFs may not make sense for all investors right now, it could be particularly suitable for certain types. For example, investors who need to diversify their portfolios may find gold ETFs attractive, as gold has historically shown a low correlation with traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds. So, the current price drop could present an opportunity to achieve portfolio diversification at more favorable prices.
Risk-conscious investors who are looking to hedge against inflation, currency risks or geopolitical uncertainties might also want to consider adding gold ETF exposure. After all, with the uptick in inflation over the last few months, gold’s historical role as a store of value remains relevant right now, despite the potential for short-term price volatility. Long-term investors might also find current prices attractive in terms of building strategic positions.
However, short-term traders and income-focused investors may want to exercise caution when it comes to gold ETFs. Gold’s price volatility can make short-term trading challenging, while the lack of yield may not align with income-oriented investment objectives.
The bottom line
The current drop in gold prices presents an intriguing opportunity for investors who are interested in gold ETFs, but it’s essential to weigh the potential risks and rewards of this type of gold investing carefully. Gold ETFs offer a convenient and liquid way to gain exposure to gold, making them a viable option for many investors, but they are just one of several ways to invest in this precious metal. Whether or not gold ETFs are the right choice for you will ultimately depend on your investment objectives, risk tolerance and overall portfolio strategy, so before you buy in, do your homework to make sure your decision aligns with your long-term goals.