Try some of these novel ideas, which might take a bit more time to organise than just going to the local mall to buy her something, but they will definately let your mom know how special she is!
1. A gift from the heart
I remember when I was about 6, I was scrambling around trying to get the best gift for my grandmother. In the end I made her a card with a picture of her holding me the first day I came home from hospital. When I gave her the card I cried because I could not buy her anything. My grandmother hugged me and told me that the best gifts are the ones we give from the heart. It did not stop my tears, but I felt a bit better. When she died 10 years later and we had to sort out her things, one of my aunts found the card I had made her. I could not believe she kept it. It just goes to show that a gift from the heart is sometimes better than any store bought item. Whether it is a card you made yourself, a simple thank or a gesture of appreciation everyday to remind them how precious they are.
If you would like to buy your mom something though, read further to get some ideas.
2. The usual suspects
These are the gifts that you normally buy your mom every year for her birthday or for Mother’s Day and she probably has so many of them already, but you always end up doing the last minute shopping. They are the chocolates (which you are lucky if she has a serious sweet tooth), jewelry (I suppose a woman can never have too much bangles, chains, earrings or broches), flowers, bath goodies (your bath salts, pearls, crystals), your perfumes and lotions and then the clothes. There is a variety of items ranging from shoes, sleep wear, evening wear, scarves, etc.
Now all these are nice and if your mom is into these things, then by all means, buy.
3. Calling room service
This is what we normally do when for Mother’s Day or my mom’s birthday. Make her favourite breakfast, just the way she likes it. Just make sure that you wake up in time to do it before she gets up and starts making breakfast for everyone.
4. Her favourite magazine
Get her a year’s subscription to her favourite magazine and it does not have to be just one. Make sure you find out what she likes before you go ahead and make the purchase. There are so many great magazines out there to choose from. There is no way your mom will not love this.
5. A night out with the girls
Book her a night out with her friends to go watch the opera or ballet. You could even make a booking to see a good tear jerker or comedy at the movies. Another idea is to book her and her girlfriends on something they would not normally do but would enjoy. Something like going ice skating or a trip up table mountain (with the cable car or a hike) or even as extreme as bungee jumping or sky diving. Just a suggestion.
6. Spa/pamper day
What woman would say no to a day of pampering where she can have all her cares, frustrations and worries massaged and soaked out of her. Even if it is just for one day.
7. Settle down with a nice read
There are so many good books out there, whether it is a good fiction, self-help or just an encouraging read for the heart and soul.
8. Capture those precious moments
I always love giving photographs as gifts, especially if they are ones that have not been seen before or have not been seen in a long time. You could either go around taking pictures of your mom’s friends or favourite items and make a collage of it all for her. Another alternative is to have a picture of yourself, your siblings and your mom. Maybe it could be the first time you came home from the hospital, your first birthday or your favourite picture with your mom .Even better, your mom and her mom. That one, I think, is always the best.
9. Certificate of promise
I remember when my siblings and I were younger, we would just clean the house and make food for that day. After that, it would be back to the grindstone for mom.
It would be nice if as a dad you could get your kids to draw up a certificate saying that they promise to do their assigned chores when asked to do so. Even if it might only last for a week or a month (and I am sure mom is not keeping her hopes up for the entire duration they promised), it really is the thought that counts.
10. Just what she loves
Spend some time with her for the day if you have time. If your mother enjoys scrap booking, get her one that will teach her to do it. Or even better, send her on a course for something she loves doing whether it is scrapbooking, gardening, photography, etc. Whatever she loves, grant her that time and joy.
Note for SPICE4LIFE:
And if you are a mom, leave this page up when you get up from the computer, for the next member of your family to read! :-)
