Make Mother’s Day Magical
Since my husband and I swore off gifts for things like birthdays, Christmas, our anniversary and, of course, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I haven’t received very many gifts for the day celebrating my life as mom. You may think this would make it harder for me to relate to what moms may like to receive for Mother’s Day, but in reality, I have had more time to think about what I’d actually like to receive.
Picking the Perfect Gift:
- Flowers and plants. If you go this route, you have to consider the mom you are buying for. Is she an avid gardener? Is her home also home to several potted plants that are pruned and lovingly cared for? Then consider a flower. I gave my mother an orchid one year, and she has successfully cared for and loved that orchid, but I already knew she was caring for and loving a lily that my ancestors had carried to the United States on a boat 70 years ago and doing a good job at that. Other years I give her annuals to add to her garden pots that line the way from driveway to house. If your mom in question isn’t a gardener, perhaps cut flowers will be a better choice. A bouquet of tulips, a bright arrangement of hydrangeas and lilies. Think about their dining room and try to image the flowers on the table there.
- Food and Kitchen Items. My mother-in-law tells a story about her first year as a wife when my father-in-law gave her a meat grinder for Christmas and how she burst into tears that it wasn’t something romantic. Now that they’ve been married nearly 40 years, I think it’s safe to say it didn’t affect their relationship that much, but there is some risk you take in getting kitchen appliances for Mom, especially if you are Dad.
Instead, think of the indulgences. Perhaps your wife or mom loves a good cup of coffee. A new coffee pot, espresso machine, (the gorgeous new Le Creuset) French press would be in order. If they are a tea drinker, a nice tin of tea and a tea kettle or a new cup for their collection may be the ticket. Try to choose a gift that matches what they are already interested in and enjoy. It shows that you notice the things they love, and noticing is the first way to show them you care.
- Everything else. The most important thing to remember when choosing a gift is the person you’re choosing it for. If you take the time to think of something you think they’d love for one reason or another, if you make something, if you pick a card and write a little more than their name, that’s all it takes to let them know you care.
Hope you all have a Happy Mother’s Day!
Editor’s note: This post was written by Shaina Olmanson, author of the Food for My Family blog.
