It’s almost here - Mother’s Day! One more week! This year Mother’s Day is on May 11th!
I know it can be a difficult day for many, for various different reasons, and if that is you, I am so sorry. Just go ahead and skip this post, and instead - whisper a prayer to the One who sees you, knows you and is waiting to comfort you.
I have a few GREAT gift suggestions, so read on if you need some ideas. (These are not affiliated, no links bring me any compensation. Just my real tried and true suggestions.)
Us moms are all very different, and where one might love a blender or another practical gift, another one would way prefer to get something more personal like favorite chocolate - or something they would not get for themselves. I am just going to list a few random ideas in no particular order.
Before we get started, TIP #1: Are you familiar with the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? Some moms are gift givers, meaning they will appreciate even the littlest token so much, but your mom may also be a acts of service mom, who would much rather have your help in cleaning her closets. The other love languages are physical touch, quality time and encouraging words. This book is well worth reading to help understand and love our loved ones.
If Mom loves flowers, I wholeheartedly recommend getting flowers from Pura Vida Flower Farm, they even have weekly flower delivery for the month of May!
Has mom been rubbing her neck or mentioning how she’s hurting? How about a massage? My go-to local person is Julie. You can also buy essential oils, elderberry syrup, or other products from her.
(Almost) always a win: take mom out to eat! Breakfast at Lemon Tree or lunch at Casey’s Place? I’d love to go for dinner at Taj Mahal Masala (looks like they also have a weekend lunch buffet, yum!). Vero Beach has great ice cream spots, what about a getting a bunch of little gift cards to try different places?
You absolutely can’t go wrong with a hand written card or letter sharing how much mom means to you. This one fits all budgets, too! (Also great for those encouraging words moms - from The Five Love Languages.)
Does your mom have a book wish list on Amazon? Can you access it and get her a book? Or a pretty journal? This would be well paired with her favorite chocolate or candy. (Fazer chocolate and salty licorice are my favorites, just saying, haha!) Or nuts! My mother-in-law would prefer some yummy nuts over chocolate. My own mom loves Reese’s and Yorks from USA (go figure with alllllll the amazing Finnish chocolates!).
It would be too late now to go to the Painted Frog and make something for mom for this Mother’s Day, but you could plan an outing to go with mom, or get her a gift certificate. I recently went with my younger girls, and we had such a sweet time painting our pottery pieces together.
How about breakfast in bed? Make sure to get ingredients for something yummy beforehand, or take a quick run out in the morning for donuts, cinnamon buns or something you know mom would enjoy! If you cook something delicious for mom, make sure to clean the kitchen, too!
Give mom a day off! No dishes, no cooking, no laundry, no cleaning. And this of course, means you do all the things mom usually does - not that she has to do double the next day…! Maybe plan an outing for the day, if you think mom would like to leave home (some of us don’t).
You knew this one was coming…. Make sure MOM is in the pictures, too!!!!! Both in everyday photos, and also in family portraits. I have a Mini Session coming up this May (maybe early June), how about a Gift Certificate to it?
If you already have a photo mom loves, go ahead and print and frame it (I can help!). Or make a photo book from a session (or for future: have ME make that book for you). This is such a winner in my mind. I treasure all the photos of my family, and especially our Day In The Life photos that showcase our everyday ordinary days. This is what I want to remember.
What did you think, was that helpful? Please add your suggestions to the comments - especially any local ones. Thank you!
TIP #2: ask mom! Maybe she has a wish list. You won’t know unless you ask!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms and Grandmas!
PS. TIP #3: Moms, some of us have had to help our family a bit. I know I have. You know your family! Here’s your permission to get something you’ll love for Mother’s Day! You can even make sure it’s wrapped pretty for Sunday :-)
TIP #4: When Mother’s Day comes, that means Father’s Day will follow soon after….! Book that Mini Session for Mother’s Day, then order a framed print for Father’s Day from the Session - What a WIN-WIN!!!!
