Mother’s Day is a wonderful holiday, an entire day to honor mothers. I find it strange to have holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Each and everyday we need to honor the ones we love, not just on a few days each year. When I see and hear advertisements about what moms want for Mother’s Day, I am horrified! Mom’s do not want vacuums, blenders, toasters, cheap birthstone pendants, or clothes that say World’s Greatest Mom. I understand it is the thought that counts, but give gifts that moms really want, not what advertising executives lead you to believe they want or household items that need replaced!

What Real Moms Want For Mother’s Day

Breakfast
Let her sleep in and bring her coffee, tea, or a smoothie. Start the day off right by making her favorite breakfast. You can serve it on a tray in bed, at the table, or outside on the patio. It really doesn’t matter, as long as she likes the food and she doesn’t have to cook or clean it up! If you aren’t a cook, take her to breakfast or brunch.

Flowers

Pick flowers from your garden and put them in a pretty vase. If you don’t have flowers in your yard, go to Trader Joe’s and pick a bouquet, they have amazing flowers and potted plants at very reasonable prices. Costco has great flowers, you can get 18 long-stem roses for $16.99.

Plan a Special Date

Plan a special date or outing around Mother’s Day. Do something she wants to do or will enjoy. Go to the movies, theater, concert, special restaurant, or sporting event. You don’t need to go out on Mother’s Day. You can give her a gift certificate letting her know you have something planned for the near future.

Note/Card/Letter/Phone call
Write her a special letter telling her how much you love and appreciate her. Please do not buy a card and sign your name. Women love heartfelt notes and letters. I save all of the cards and letters my husband has written me. You don’t have to be mushy, just be honest and write what you feel. If you are slacking and didn’t send your mom a card and won’t be seeing her, giver her a phone call, not a text or email.

Pamper Her

Arrange for a spa day or treatment or get her a gift card for a spa or salon. The majority of women love manis and pedis, facials, and massages, but won’t spend the money or time to get them on their own.

Personalized Gifts

A framed photograph is a great and inexpensive gift. Make a photo book, I did this for my mom and mother-in-law. Initial or monogramed jewelry is always a great gift! I love my Tiffany & Co. bracelet with my son’s name engraved on the tag, I also have a Tiffany initial pendant with my son’s initial. You do not need to spend a ton on jewelry, you can find great items for under $50 at most stores and online.

My advice is avoid gawdy heart-shaped items. Some hearts are cute, but a lot of the Mother’s Day jewelry that is heart-shaped is hideous!

Wine

Wine tasting is awesome, but can be expensive and no one wants to be the designated driver when you are wine tasting. Wine and dine her at home. Buy a few bottles of her favorite wine and have your own wine tasting at home. Make a cheese platter with crackers, bread, fruit and nuts.

Premium Gift

Get her something she wouldn’t buy herself because she thinks it is too expensive or frivolous. I may be frugal, but I definitely like nice things. Maybe it’s a designer purse, premium pair of jeans, shoes, perfume, sunglasses, or beauty product. I don’t know, but you know her and there is probably something she has been wanting but has not bought because she puts everyone before herself.

Day Off
Let her know she is free from all mom duties. No diapers, bottles, dishes, laundry, cleaning, or cooking. As much as moms love their families, it is always nice to have a break and do what you want or do nothing at all!

Make Mother’s Day an extra special day for all the special moms in your life.