Mother’s day is around the corner…are you still searching for the perfect gift?
Moms do a lot and lead very stressful lives. The trouble is they are very good at masking their stress levels to keep everyone else healthy and happy.
According to many surveys, the number one challenge in a mother’s life is stress.
If you are still looking for that perfect Mother’s Day gift or want to make sure you plan a special day, then here are some thoughts on an essential Mother’s Day Gift Guide.
1. Share Your Thoughts
A great gift that hits home is simply sharing words of affirmation with Mom.
Is your mother the type to get smiley and thankful when you acknowledge their hard work and accomplishments?
Be sure to re-inforce that she is a good cook and thank her for an awesome dinner.
If you or your Mom do not have a sentimental and verbal relationship, then take the time to share your thoughts and words of affirmation in a heart-felt card. Sharing your thoughts will last longer than some flowers.
However, sharing your thoughtful words of endearment are not a great gift. They are just the icing on the cake. The real gift is spending quality time with Mom on Mother’s Day.
If you are looking for a unique activity, then re-create a photo shoot and take some pictures together.
As an added bonus, the pictures will come in handy for future Mother’s Days or birthdays or the holidays!
2. Make a Personal Gift
Even if Mom didn’t pass down or teach those artistic talents, then you can still use the magic of technology to make an awesome personalized gift.
There are a few small gifts that will make Mom happy throughout the day that cannot be purchased at the store. Some are great for those of us that live far away from Mom or have our own kids because these ideas simply say “I love you” in a different way.
- Email Mom a photo of something that reminds you of Mom or your childhood.
- Find an old photo and mail it to Mom over the weekend.
- Send a photo or share a story about your kids.
- Share a story about one of things that make you happy.
An unorthodox gift idea that should last is taking care of that to-do list.
If Mom has been talking about that leaky faucet or broken gutter for the last few weeks, then fix it. Remember, the best gifts will help reduce her stress, so fixing something that is an eyesore or aggravates Mom is a no-brainer.
3. Start a Project Together
Whether it is organizing shelves by the front door or weeding the garden, start a project that you can finish together and create a shared experience.
The key is finding something that you can spend some time with her completing (and she would like doing). From redecorating the basement to starting a garden or tackling a DIY idea from her Pinterest board, Mom will appreciate the effort and time together.
Plus, a project that lasts is like the gift that keeps on giving. For example, a household garden will provide cooking spices all year long!
4. Clean Something
Remember that the essential part of a Mother’s Day gift is reducing stress. And what is more stressful than cleaning?
Doing household chores can be stressful and a huge time-suck, so help out and take some pressure off Mom by cleaning something!
5. Make a Meal
Breakfast in bed is a classic Mother’s Day gift and it should remain at the top of the list. Just remember that Mom is still catching up on sleep from raising a family, so not too early.
As the motherhood experts at Scary Mommy notes:
“You kids have no idea how much happier I can be if you let me sleep until at least 6. And much like wine, the later you let me sleep, the better I get. Wine is that bottle you see me eyeballing starting around two in the afternoon.”
So take it from the experts and provide a nice meal in the morning and wine in the evening…with some quality family time during the day!
Every family and Mom is a little different, so if these don’t strike you like a great gift for your Mom (or wife), then here is some more inspiration to stand out from the crowd (in a good way).
As Mother Teresa says “Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home.”
Ultimately, our Moms stand by us through thick and thin. We can give them the appreciation they deserve!
From everyone in the SolvIt family, thanks!