As a mother, I have a love/hate relationship with Mother’s Day. As with many other ‘holidays’ it feels very commercial. I would hope, along with significant others, Grandparents, Dads and anyone else who has gotten a ‘day’ in the last fifty years, you would not need a special day to be reminded of my importance in your life! Of course, having a day set aside is nice and can force you to take time for yourself that you would otherwise reserve for others. Trust me, it’s a mom thing.
Because we are so bad at taking time for ourselves and stepping back, a great gift you can give for Mother’s Day is space to do just that. Sure, flowers are nice for a week and a sporadic massage will be enjoyed – but what about the rest of the time? What can you give mom to help her carve out a little bit of time for herself every day to relax and recharge?
Create a garden.
Though arrangements can be beautiful, the plants will outlast the cut flowers and give mom a smile for months instead of weeks.
Maybe your mom already has a green thumb and you’ve got plants everywhere, but if not, consider creating a garden instead of just buying a bouquet. You don’t need a lot of space. Even just adding a few potted plants along the walkway or on your porch will help to create a warm atmosphere. Cute pots on your porch or in the window can create the same feeling. If you are afraid you won’t be able to sustain plants, consider indoor varieties that don’t require a lot of maintenance like succulents or greenery such as Pothos or Snake Plant. Coupled with a fun planter, it will help to create a small slice of tranquility for mom to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, or just take a deep breath. If you have more room to utilize outside, adding some accents, or putting some potted plants on stands for visual variety will help to create a warm, comforting space without a lot of work.
Room Makeover.
You know there is at least one place in the house where mom gets a crease in her brow, or closes the door so she doesn’t have to look at it! There are only so many hours in the day and what can feel daunting often gets pushed to the back of the ‘to-do’ list. Even if you have a well-oiled machine that runs smoothly with minimalist clutter, a refresh never hurt anything. A new coat of paint, a new quilt or some decorative pillows that mom won’t have to agonize over buying herself. It doesn’t take much to change the way you feel when you walk into a room or open a closet or cabinet. Just a few baskets to keep things from falling out when you open a closet door can bring everyone in the house a bit of joy, not just mom. Depending on your family, grab some friends and enlist their help to drag mom out of the house and/or watch the kids while you work. The smile you will bring from even a small amount of work will last far longer than a card.
Make it personal.
It seems rather obvious if you think about it, but sometimes we get caught up in the idea of what we’re supposed to be doing or giving. We are bombarded with commercials about jewelry and flowers, inundated with displays of cards and chocolates at the store. Giving those things is not wrong, if that is what the Mother in your life wants! But when confronted, take a step back and ask yourself, what other gifts could she really appreciate? What doesn’t she buy herself or never have enough of? The answers will be as diverse as the person you are buying for, but here are some thoughts to get you started.
Candles, lotions and bath accessories are a wonderful way to relax. Often we don’t think of them as appropriate gifts, but for some this is exactly the kind of thing they want.
Books can bring escape and hours of enjoyment beyond the gifting experience. If your mom is an avid reader, this can be a thoughtful, non-traditional gift.
Hobbyists can’t ever have enough supplies. Whether it’s sewing, wood/metal/jewelry work, yarn crafts or scrap-booking, we always need more! Here is one place where the gift card option is your best friend, and mom’s!
Whatever you decide, traditional or something different, remember that this day belongs to mom. Letting her know she is special is the goal.