Memorable Mother's Day Presents
Avoid Cliches. Surprise Mom With A Gift That Reflects Thought, Love.
There's no perfect gift for all Moms. An ideal present sometimes takes research, cost-sharing, planning and scheming to recognize her as the greatest mother
Despite all the ad claims, there is no such thing as "the perfect Mother’s Day gift" because mothers have so many different dreams, preferences and needs. An ideal gift has to be planned and selected specifically for a particular mother.
It should should reflect love and recognize her as the world’s greatest mother with distinctive traits, wishes and needs. Ideally it should be a surprise and memorable.
First, a few don’ts:
- Don’t expect to find the ideal present in a drug store on Mother’s Day.
- Excitations.com, a special gift company, also warns against such negative message-carrying items as diet books, ThighMasters and elastic wasteband pants.
- Flowers and candy are still dandy, but a bit of thought can inspire something more personal and memorable to her.
- Avoid gifts associated with her work and chores.
Some Gifts Can Be Shared With Siblings
The following suggestions might help adults find a memorable gift for their mothers, or might stimulate similar ideas. Some costs might have to be shared with siblings, but seeing her kids working together will make her even happier. Most of these gifts require some planning, but that’s where the love is found.
- A family painting or photograph. This is difficult to do as a surprise, since she should be in the picture or painting. However, an artist may be able to do the portrait from a photograph. Or she can be given a card announcing that arrangements have been made for a family picture or photo.
- A new digital television. Everyone will need one as the analogs become obsolete in February 2009.
- A cruise or other vacation for her and a loved one. This sure winner can be expensive and requires considerable planning and possibly consultation, or cost sharing with other family members.
- A photo album featuring pictures of Mom, family members and close friends, especially if some of the pictures are old. Include dates, locations and notes about the photos. This is much easier to do now with the capability of scanning and emailing pictures. Consider one of the new electronic photo frames.
- A high-tech gadget like a computer, digital camera, Ipod, video camera or a scanner to copy some of her old pictures and slides. This isn’t for every mother, but some are ready, or at least anxious, to keep up with the younger folks and their technology.
- A gift certificate at a fine furniture store or an upscale women’s apparel shop. It saves the giver a lot of time and research, so be generous.
- New sports equipment, if she plays tennis, golf, or bowls.
- A new car. But don’t burden her with high insurance or maintenance costs.
- A restaurant gift certificate for her and some of her friends. Imagine the pride she’ll feel when she tells the girls what her kid(s) gave her.
The Best Gift May Be Sharing High Quality Time With Her
Sometimes the best gift is not a thing, but some high quality time.
- Arrange a family luncheon, dinner or outing. There are few things that mothers like more than a gathering of their loved ones in a celebration setting. Build it around a theme and a presentation. Encourage family members and friends to stand up and recall precious moments or memories. Give her a corsage.
- Visit her. This is especially appreciated if she lives in a different city. Bring the grandchildren. Bring the girlfriend or boyfriend to dinner, assuming Mom will like her or him.
- Finally, and this one requires plenty of advance planning: Announce the coming of a grandchild. Mothers love grandchildren.
Any of these gifts will have her looking forward to next year’s surprise.
