by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
As a mom of two, take it from me: you don’t have to spend a lot of money on Mother’s Day. Most of us just want to chill out and enjoy a stress-free day. That means the best thing dads can do to keep Mom happy is to take over as chef, referee, personal shopper, taxi driver, and maid for at least this one day. In addition to taking over Mom’s household duties, below is a list of practical, affordable gift ideas that will keep her content all day long. These gifts are truly what we have in mind when we hear “it’s the thought that counts.” Honey, I hope you’re taking notes!
Once you have kids, lazy weekend mornings become a fond, distant memory. Give Mommy a break this Sunday and let her sleep until noon if she wants. The extra Z’s will do a world of good for most moms, who tend to get far less sleep than everyone else on the planet, and will give dads a chance to corral the troops and plan the best Mother’s Day ever.
While you let her sleep in, help the kids make their mom a delicious breakfast. And, by delicious I mean edible, so make sure to keep a close eye on small chefs or have an alternate meal suitable for human consumption on hand. Try to avoid everyday breakfast foods like cold cereal. This is a special day - so cook accordingly.
Dads, get the day off of work and kids, clear your calendars. Let the mom in your life really enjoy motherhood. Go out as a family or stay in and play board games, anything that brings the entire family together for at least a couple hours during the day.
As long as they don’t come from the garden mom spends every weekend tending, she’ll be thrilled to receive a bouquet of wild flowers as an alternative to pricey store-bought arrangements.
As much as we love to see our kids making things with their own little hands, I don’t know of many moms who will jump at the chance to wear a macaroni necklace to their next big event. If the kids want to make a little something for Mom, skip the homemade jewelry and have them make a card with finger paints or let them help design a photo collage to frame for the wall. It’s more sentimental and it won’t take up space in her jewelry box.
Bribe the children into being completely quiet for at least an hour and allow mom a chance to luxuriate in the comfort of her own home. Run a bubble bath, light some candles, put on some soothing music, and let mom soak for as long as she likes. A glass of wine is optional. You’ll earn extra points if you offer up a foot massage or a pedicure.
Give mom the gift of power: allow her to control the TV, if for only one night. No arguments, no protests, no matter what. If mom wants to watch Desperate Housewives while snuggling with her hubby on the couch, suck it up and give the lady what she wants. It’s a long shot, but you may actually like it if you give it a chance!
Most moms would give just about anything to have one year of their family on their best behavior: no fighting, no screaming, no whining, no socks in the middle of the living room floor, no dirty dishes in the sink, no arguments about bedtimes, no crayons on the walls, no fighting over the remote, etc. etc. etc... If you can guarantee peace and follow through with it, the mom in your life will be on cloud nine until next Mother’s Day!
Sometimes being a mom seems like a thankless job. We don’t get paid for doing the laundry or sweeping the floors or making lunches or shuttling kids to school and extracurriculars. We do it because we love you. Making sure Mom knows that the little things she does mean something to you is the best gift you can possibly give.
Let’s face it: it’s easier to go buy something for Mom than to serve her hand and foot on Mother’s Day. Or maybe you want to get her a little something in addition to letting her relax for a change (if you’re smart, this is the way to go). Here are some of the best (and worst) gifts you can buy your mom on her special day:
1) A trip to the day spa
2) Jewelry
3) Flowers
4) Dinner at a nice restaurant
5) Chocolates
1) Appliances
2) Cooking/cleaning supplies
3) Lame stuffed animals
4) Gift certificates
5) Anything that suggests she’s old, overweight or not as beautiful as she once was
Skip impersonal presents like gift certificates and last-minute drugstore purchases. The best Mother’s Day gifts are those that show you’ve put some thought and effort into buying Mom something you think she will really like. The bottom line is to make sure the gift you give comes from the heart and you can’t go wrong.
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