For starters, you should focus on the treats that will
make her feel wonderful as a person, irrespective of
her role as a mom. So in other words, steer toward indulgences
like spa services and stay away from the housework-type
gifts like waffle irons, blenders, toasters, or vacuum
cleaners. The more you can make her feel special for
who she is (and the less you make her feel like she
should be doing more work than she already is) the better.
These ideas can get you started:
Spa services: Who wouldn’t love
a nice massage or facial? For the mom who has everything,
treat her to the most relaxing, rejuvenating services
on the spa menu. Better yet, make it a day of beauty
that includes a manicure, pedicure, and hairstyling.
Photo treatments: Don’t just
give her a picture of the kids, dress it up. Give her
favorite photo the star treatment with a fancy frame
or make it into something she can see all the time,
like a key chain, notepad, mouse pad, refrigerator magnet,
or tote bag.
Personalized jewelry: Give her a locket
or charm with a treasured photo, or look for special
mothers’ rings, bracelets, or necklaces that are
personalized with the birth stone of each of her children.
One-of-a-kind treats: Show her how
unique she is with a one-of-a-kind gift made by an artisan.
Support your hometown artists by shopping at local fairs
and markets. Or check out www.etsy.com
for an array of handmade items, from handbags to jewelry
to art.
Creature comforts: Help her feel like
she belongs in the lap of luxury by giving her a pair
of super-soft pajamas or slippers. Also you can never
go wrong with cashmere for sweaters, wraps, scarves,
or socks.
Hobby helpers: Get her excited again
about her favorite hobby. If she’s a gardener,
give her a set of handpainted garden tools or super-soft
gloves. If she loves working out, get her a new gym
bag or an iPod so she can listen to her favorite music.
If she’s an avid crossword puzzle solver, give
her a subscription to Games magazine.
A good read: Does she like to relax
by curling up with a good buck? If she likes light fiction,
give her a book that’ll make her laugh by Sophie
Kinsella or Jennifer Weiner. If she’s into historical
novels, give her a book she can dive into by Philippa
Gregory or Diane Ackerman. Not sure? Check out www.amazon.com
for tons of book lists and suggestions.
A green gift: Is the mom on your list
a proud environmentalist? Support her favorite cause
with “green” gifts like a hemp shopping
bag, organic cotton clothing, home décor items
made from recycled goods, or a sampler basket of all-natural
cosmetics. Even better, think beyond cut flowers and
give her a plant or a small tree that she can transfer
to the yard and enjoy all year round.
The gift of time: Don’t just
give a gift you can wrap; give her the gift of time
with you. Make your own “gift certificate”
with a promise of a movie date, a dinner at her favorite
restaurant, or a night out with the gang. After all,
there’s probably no one who deserves more of a
special treat than the hardworking mom on your list.
She’ll appreciate the thought that you put into
it and treasure the time you spend together.
|
