It’s hard for me to think about Mother’s Day without having flashbacks of my little brother tearing apart the kitchen to make mom a rubbery egg-like breakfast surprise. Lane did it every year and darn if he didn’t eventually learn how to make a pretty good omelet. Such a good lesson for me as a mom–sometimes you have to let your kids fail so they’ll ultimately succeed.

Below are some ideas for mothers who deserve to be honored on this special day:

 

• Feet Retreat. Take a picture or stamp of her children’s feet and put it in a keepsake frame. Add a pedicure gift card and a note that reads, “From our feet to yours!”
• Night off. Not just a night out, but a night off! No dinner, no dishes, no midnight feedings. Give mom a gift card to a hotel and send her packing with a mystery novel and some bon bons. The hotel doesn’t have to be far away—just far enough for her to get away.
• Mile in her shoes. Tell her you couldn’t walk a mile or last a minute in her shoes. Give her a gift card to the shoe store and the gift of time to go with it—babysitting so she can go alone or a shopping partner if she needs a second opinion.


Give mom the night off!

• Top of the list. I rarely include self-care expenses in the family budget. I let my hair grow too long and use root touch up to stretch the time between beauty appointments. I’d love a gift card to the salon so I’d be forced to spend money on myself without feeling guilty. Send the mom in your life to the salon with a gift card, a bottle of water, and a new magazine. Heaven!
• Give her a hand. Get mom a gift card for a manicure. Trace each child’s hand print and have them write (or dictate) a note inside telling mom why she’s the best ever.
• Entertain-her. She sat through all those ballgames and attended all those dance recitals. But what were her pre-kid passions? Would she enjoy a night at the theater, ballet, concert, or art museum? Remind her that her interests matter with a gift card and complementary book, CD, or print. For example, a gift card to Wicked plus the Wicked soundtrack would be a wicked-good gift.
• Refuel her batteries. I started taking tennis lessons a few years ago and I just love it. I’m getting beat by women twice my age, but the regularly scheduled break from life reenergizes me. If the mom in your life could use some “me time,” then force her to take it with a gift card to the yoga center, tennis lessons, a kick-box class, or another activity she’ll enjoy. Then get her a little something to feel the part like a yoga mat, a tennis skirt, some wrist guards, or a towel wrap.
• Guilt-free induldence. Gift cards allow us to spend money on ourselves without feeling guilty. So get mom a gift card to her favorite indulgence–a restaurant, chocolate shop, shoe store, clothing store, movies–anything she likes. Put the gift card on a box of chocolates and simply write the words, “Thank you.” After all, most moms will probably tell you that all they really want from loved ones on Mother’s Day is to feel appreciated.
• Practically speaking. Make it easier for mom to take care of herself with a practical gift card–an oil change, health or dental services, lawn care, etc. Include a handwritten note of thanks for all that she’s done for you. Be specific. Thank her for washing your uniform at midnight, for sitting through all your recitals, and for holding your collicky newborn so you could take a nap. The letter is thanks for all she’s done. The gift card shows you care and want her to be around for that much longer.