Finding the perfect gift for mom is always a challenge, isn’t it? You may already have ideas for gifts to give your siblings, or friends, or even your abuelos, but moms are tough to shop for. That’s why we’re thinking, why not gift her something fun and clever? It’s the experiences that we remember the most, so maybe a bland gift won’t be as memorable as that hilarious mug you got her that Christmas of 2019. So have a read below to find some comical and clever presents for your mamita. Because Latinos don’t give basic gifts, we won’t let you down. 

‘Mami’ necklace

Nothing sweeter, prettier or more classic, than gifting mom a piece of jewelry —or wait— we can think of something sweeter; a piece of jewelry with the word mami on it. “Mom” just doesn’t quite describe the head of a Latino family, the only term that can do her justice is mami or mamita or ‘her majesty… just saying. 

‘La Jefa’ apron

Sorry, this apron is for boss Latinas only*. If you are not one, please hit the back button on your browser immediately. Mom is the ultimate jefa. She runs the house, she runs the family, she raised you, for God’s sake —is there anything the woman can’t do? Get her the apron, she deserves it. 

‘Andale Por Pendeja’ t-shirt

If your mom is anything like mine, or any other mom on the planet, saying “I told you so” doesn’t quite cut it, and sometimes she might want to get her point across with just a smidge of judgment. Thankfully, mitú made this Ándale Por Pendeja Tee for such occasions! 

Mom’s Favorite Candle Set

You know who would love this Latino-inspired Candle Collection? Your mom. No, really. She’d love this refreshingly minty Sana Sana candle, or perhaps the soapy fragrance of this Te Boté one? And who could ever resist the iconic (yet triggering) Saturday morning scent of Fabulosa? No one, that’s who!

‘Poderosa’ hoop earrings

Nothing but the best for your queen. These hoops are 14 karat gold plated brass, and you know she deserves them. Because we’ve never met a more poderosa woman than a madre de familia. 

‘Comadres’ tee

Your mom was your very first comadre before you even made friends. Remind her about your special bond with this ‘Comadres’ tee, she’ll be moved to tears, guaranteed.

‘World’s best suegra’

Surprise your suegra with this mug, she hugs like a mother and loves like a friend so she deserves the best!! Ideal for the perfect mom-in-law. 

‘Te Calmas o Te Calmo’ chanclas

Who knew the most triggering of phrases would make a badass pair of chanclas? This Te Calmas O Te Calmo chanclas are not only fashionable, but subtly threatening to anyone who grew up in a Latino household, and it makes the perfect phrase for that mom who’s always keeping you in check. Help make her life easier by gifting her some chanclas with her signature phrase printed on it. You’re welcome. 

‘La Jefa’ iPhone case

Mom has some important phone calls to make, so let her make them in style. Help her flaunt her endless poder every time she takes out her phone. 

Concha Fleece Blanket

Carbs are the devil, yes, but mom’s precious conchas and cafecito definitely don’t count! Help mami stay warm in the winter with this Concha Fleece Blanket and enjoy whatever sweet dreams may come. And maybe make her a damn coffee once in a while. 

‘House Favorite’ dog bandana

Let’s be real here. The true golden child of your house is the dog. You know it, your siblings know it, and your mom knows it, too. Getting your mom’s beloved doggo a present equals to getting a present for the woman herself! So we made this House Favorite Dog Bandana for all of mom’s good boys and good girls out there.

‘Hermosa’ hoops

There will never be a more hermosa woman in your life. Mom deserves these hoops because she’s a hardworking queen and a role model, and she’s nothing but ‘hermosa’ every day, even on Sundays, when she’s doing la limpieza in her flashiest outfits.

‘Pa qué highlighter’ Makeup bag

This little cosmetics bag would be a lifesaver for the makeup obsessed mom. Remind that makeup queen that she doesn’t need any highlighter with that brown shine of hers. This vegan leather bag is perfect for holding all of mami’s day-to-day essentials. Take this with you and shine.

READ: These Latino Holiday Gifts Are Anything But Basic

Colombian actor John Leguizamo is raising money to crowdsource an all-Latino produced comic book series featuring all Latino and Latina superheroes. Leguizamo says he “grew up loving comic books,” but he “knew that there was no white guy in tights like Superman coming to save my ass in my neighborhood,” so he’s creating a Latino superhero of his own. Leguizamo is partnering with Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, the artist who brought us bestselling superhero series “La Borinqueña” and is looking for more Latino artists, illustrators, producers and editors to join the team.

So far, the crowdsourcing project has raised $2k of the necessary $75k to get the project off the ground. 

Meet PhenomX.

According to the crowdsourcing website, Seed and Spark, the premise of PhenomX’s story is that “Sometimes, when the powers that be knock you down, you have to transform and bring the system down with you.” Set in present-day New York City, PhenomX’s story begins with an illegal government project to “rehabilitate criminals” in an experimental drug trial that turns them into superpowers. Then, we meet Max Gomez who “is finally about to be released from prison with a second chance at life and fatherhood. But with growing concerns about re-entering the outside world as an ex-con, Max doesn’t know where to turn.”  An FBI agent offers Max an opportunity to capture the “failed experiments,” by giving him superpowers. 

Still, Max “feels like a prisoner. Secrets are still being kept from him, and his target grows stronger every moment. Watch Max as he learns that he’s more than just a statistic… he’s more than just an ex-convict… he’s more than a phenomenon… he’s PhenomX.”

Leguizamo doesn’t want to wait for Hollywood. “Holly-wouldn’t,” he says.

“I want to share with you this new proposal. We’re going to be entrepreneurs together,” Leguizamo tells a camera stationed outside a Chicago theater just before Leguizamo’s “Latin History for Morons” performance. He’s incognito, “hence the glasses and the hoodie.” Leguizamo is asking us to invite our tías and tíos to contribute to the worthy cause. “I grew up loving comic books, Spiderman, Superman, The X-Men, Sub-Mariner, Thor, but there were no Latin people. What happened? We existed! Being Latin IS a superpower, y’all!” Leguizamo says. The entire project is going to be Latin-fueled. “It’s going to be written by me, a Latin guy, and colored and drawn and penciled by all Latin folks,” Leguizamo continued. “We’re going to have Latinas with superpowers. We’re not gonna wait for Hollywood. Holly wouldn’t. Hollywhite. Forget that. We’re doing it ourselves.”

Leguizamo hopes that PhenomX inspires young Latinos to see themselves as superheroes, too.

“In today’s world, it’s incredibly important to support Latin artists,” Leguizamo writes on Seed and Spark. “I hope to use this project to not only inspire the Latin youth community but also celebrate the contributions of Latin artists to the comic book world. There is a lack of Latin representation in Hollywood, and it’s important to showcase Latin superheroes. Now, you can help me by supporting this comic book series to inspire Latinx teens.” 

Every single person who makes a contribution will score swag ranging from stickers to becoming a character in the story.

For $25, you automatically receive a digital copy of the first PhenomX comic book. A $75 donation earns you an autographed copy of one of the first PhenomX comic books. Donations of $1,000 or more earn you a slice of John’s favorite New York-style pizza with John Leguizamo himself (travel not included). “If you give super money, then, I’m going to draw a character that looks like you and name a character after you,” Leguizamo says of the highest $10k donation tier listed. 

Leguizamo is the Renaissance Man we need right now.

Leguizamo was born July 22, 1964, in Bogotá, Colombia. He moved to Queens, New York when he was just four years old. He is known for his roles in Hangin’ with the Homeboys (1991), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and the voice of Sid in Ice Age (2002). Most recently, Leguizamo has introduced a Broadway play, “Latin History for Morons,” and now he’s dabbling in comic books. We don’t know what you can’t do, Leguizamo. His campaign has drawn in 37 donations totaling $2,033, averaging $55 per donation. Join in on the cause by donating here.

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