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You are here; mom is there: It's still not too late to orderdelivered-to-her-door Mother’s Day gifts

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Murray's Cheese "Ladies Choice" box
Murray's Cheese
Birchbox's beauty care package
Birchbox

Living nearly 2,000 miles away from my hometown makes it hard to plan the perfect Mother’s Day present; I’m dependent on deliverable gifts, which significantly narrows my options, and when you couple that with the fact that my mom’s impossible to buy for, it means I’m usually left sifting through standbys like chocolate-covered strawberries and flower arrangements instead of sending something a little more exciting.

But this year’s going to be different. Let’s forget all about those ridiculously expensive roses and take a look at some treats she won’t expect to find on her doorstep this Mother’s Day (which, by the way, is Sunday. But thanks to the miracle of overnight delivery, there's still time.)

Something Sweet

If you want to get seriously sweet, Momofuku’s birthday cake truffles are out-of-this-world amazing — a rainbow cake base with sprinkles mixed in, these bite-sized confections are even better than actual cake, a creamy, super-sweet treat that’s borderline addictive. Made at the world-famous Milk Bar in NYC, they ship anywhere (you can also get mint cookies and cream, or strawberry lemon cake truffles, if that’s what you’re into).

Something to Drink

Trying to please a wine connoisseur? Picking the perfect bottle can be hit-or-miss, but these Wine Country Gift Baskets are expertly assembled to highlight offerings from Napa’s best big and small-scale wineries. If you’ve got to send a gift basket, send one that promises to provide an evening of coordinated drinks and snacks. FYI: They’re not able to ship to all states, though they do deliver to Texas. (While you’re at it, these Pottery Barn picnic wine holders are a thoughtful addition!)

Maybe she’s more the tea type? Oh man, does Teavana ever have you covered. Get your mom ready for summer with this Exotic Iced Teas Collection (ahem, it’s on sale, too); or this all-inclusive IntoTeas gift collection, with tea tins, travel tumblers and samples of four different blends. They also offer a Classic Tea of the Month Club that’s a bit pricey but probably well worth it. Bonus: All orders come with a free tea sample, plus for orders over $30 they’ll throw in 10 issues of Whole Living.

Something to Snack On

If mom’s more salty than sweet, Murray’s Cheese has a “Ladies Choice” box that’s packed with treats like chocolate-covered honeycomb, pickled plums, English cheddar, herb chevre and much more. It all comes packed in an adorable crate that’s incidentally also perfect for storing ribbon, receipts, cards — y’know, mom stuff.

Something Pretty

We’re big fans of Birchbox, the beauty experts who ship a monthly care package of hand-picked products to your door. If your mom’s the spa-going, pampering type, she’ll enjoy a gift subscription to the service, which only sets you back $10 a month (and usually comes with about five times that much in full and sample-sized items).

Shopping mag Lucky has put together a list of their favorite Mother’s Day gift ideas, along with one that features all under-$60 items, if you’re looking for more inspiration.

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Punching in

Texas is America's 7th hardest-working state in 2024, study says

Photo courtesy of AFlags

Texas is known for having some dedicated workers.

Texas residents are among the most industrious workers in the country, according to WalletHub's annual "Hardest-Working States in America (2024)" study. The Lone Star State ranks No. 7 this year.

Despite still ranking in the top 10, though, Texas has seemingly become a little less driven over the last six years. Texas ranked No. 4 most industrious state for two years in a row starting in 2019, then slipped to No. 5 in 2021 and 2022, then to No. 6 in 2023. And here we've arrived at No. 7.

The 2024 report ranked each state based on two major categories: "Direct Work Factors," which cover average workweek hours, employment rates, and the rate of "idle youth" (a.k.a. the measure of 18 to 24-year-old residents who aren't enrolled in school, have no job, or a high school diploma or GED); and "Indirect Work Factors," such as the share of workers with multiple jobs, average commute times, and other employment data.

Outshining the Lone Star State as the No. 1 hardest-working state in America is North Dakota, with a score of 66.54 points out of a possible 100. Rounding out the top five are Alaska (No. 2), Nebraska (No. 3), Wyoming (No. 4), and South Dakota (No. 5).

Texas was less than 10 points away from the No. 1 spot, scoring 56.86 points, and ranked No. 4 nationally in the "Direct Work Factors" category. Unfortunately, the state suffered in the national "Indirect Work Factors" ranking and only came in at No. 31.

Texans have the second-longest workweeks in America, right behind Alaska, but the study doesn't give details on how long the average workweek is in Texas. The state also has the fifth-lowest annual volunteer hours per resident, likely because Texans are too busy at their day jobs (or are too exhausted after work) to volunteer their time anywhere else.

In May 2024, over 15.26 million people were part of the state’s civilian workforce (which excludes active-duty military personnel), according to the Texas Workforce Commission. May marked the 10th consecutive month where Texas set a record-high level for jobs growth.

“Texas continues to outpace the nation in nearly all industries and continues to increase the number of employed Texans,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “With job opportunities increasing, students and job seekers have multiple resources to help navigate the job market and create a career pathway.”

Houston succeeded as the No. 27 most hardworking city in America in a separate WalletHub report from February 2024.

Being known for efficiency and productivity is a good reputation for Texas workers to hold, but WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe emphasizes that taking time to relax and reset is equally important for sustaining a determined workforce.

"It’s undeniable that America has fostered a culture of hard work, with people working longer hours than residents of other developed countries and often leaving vacation time on the table," Happe said. "Working hard is commendable, but people in the hardest-working states may need to consider taking a break once in a while, as a lack of leisure time can have a negative impact on people’s physical and mental health."

The top 10 hardest working states are:

No. 1 – North Dakota
No. 2 – Alaska
No. 3 – Nebraska
No. 4 – Wyoming
No. 5 – South Dakota
No. 6 – Maryland
No. 7 – Texas
No. 8 – Colorado
No. 9 – New Hampshire
No. 10 – Kansas

The full report can be found on wallethub.com.

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