What’s in a Mother’s Bag? A Little Chaos, a Lot of Love.

What’s in a Mother’s Bag? A Little Chaos, a Lot of Love.

By Priyanka Gupta

A few days ago, we ran a hand embroidered potli giveaway for Mother’s Day — and asked our community a simple question:

“What’s the weirdest thing your mother carries in her bag?”

The answers? Hilarious, heartwarming, and soaked in nostalgia.

One follower summed it up perfectly: “Everything from safety pins to God’s blessings.” And honestly, we couldn’t agree more. Some moms carry two identical lipsticks — just in case one runs out.

Many have a mini pharmacy and a stash of ghar ke nuskhe — cures for everything from sugar drops to stomach aches. Others mentioned Shilpa bindis, old phonebooks, a Swiss knife (for cutting fruit on a bus ride), pocket combs, temple tulsi, and crumpled flowers from pujas.

Which brought back memories of childhood.

For me and my cousins, slipping into our moms’ heels and swinging their handbags was our baby version of “adulting.” Each story reminded us of everything our mothers are — graceful, prepared, practical, thoughtful, and endlessly loving.

They don’t just carry things. They carry calm. They carry comfort. They carry us — always have, always will. And while they rarely ask for anything, they deserve everything.

Most moms will gently protest when you try to gift them something: “It’s too much.” “Why waste money?” “Buy something for yourself instead.” Which is exactly why, when we do get them something, it needs to be just right — filled with meaning, beauty, and care.

Something that feels like them. This Mother’s Day, don’t overthink it. Forget the generic. Gift her something that says: I know you. I see you. I love you. Something with a little tradition. A little warmth. A little bit of you. Because when it comes to mothers, it’s never about the gift. It’s the thought. The care. And the stories stitched in between.