Mother’s Day. Two words that can evoke a range of emotions in moms, from excitement to dread. While I’ve had many wonderful Mother’s Days, some have been derailed by a simple truth: moms often suffer in silence. We eat burnt toast, clean up messes, and never voice our desires.
This year, let’s change that! Mothers, here’s your golden opportunity: speak up! When your family asks what you want for Mother’s Day, be specific.
Here are some ideas to get you started, along with things most moms would rather skip…
1.) Crowded brunch buffets that resemble a feed lot vs. a sane dining environment where you can actually hear each other speak.
Restaurants will offer Mother’s Day Brunch deals that include everything (sans alcohol typically) for a fixed (inflated) price. They bark, “If you don’t book now, you’ll miss out!”
I say, what exactly are you missing out on? A high bill? A table smashed up against another family? Picked over buffet food where some kid left his ‘binky’ on the smoked salmon platter? Stop this nonsense!
- Smaller, more intimate restaurants are a great option. The service will be better, the food made to order, and the noise level should be acceptable.
- A good ol’ fashioned breakfast in bed is also a pretty good gig! Should your family ask you what you’d like to eat, take this opportunity to TELL them! Be realistic, but if you want eggs, say “Eggs would be cool”. If you want waffles or pancakes with fruit, then let them know! Family – clean up the kitchen afterwards!
- Or, how about a picnic + an experience? Pack a gourmet lunch Mom will flip over with tasty beverages and pick a beautiful spot to eat. (Don’t forget utensils, blankets and bug spray.) Or, book tickets to a Mother’s Day experience that is unique like Whale Watching, Vineyard Tour, Horseback Riding, or Picnic at a Scenic spot such as a field of blooming flowers.
2.) Flowers – Not All Moms Love Roses
Roses are tough to nail down. If you get the wrong color, you’re dead. If you get the wrong amount, you’re also dead. Unless Mom REALLY loves roses, why not skip them and go for any of the other cool Spring blooms that are out right now.
When roses bloom on a bush, they are warm from the sun and fragrant. I could swim in rose fragrance. However, the sad ones that come refrigerated from a far off land are often slightly shriveled, small and lacking in scent. These pre-purchased online gig flowers cost an arm and a leg too. So, unless you have the fresh rose hook-up, maybe look elsewhere.
- Check out your local stores that sell flowers by type and in bunches. For example, here’s a bouquet I put together for less than $15 from Trader Joe’s with four flower bunch combos.
- I chose a large flower, medium flower and two cool ‘fillers’. Not everything has to be matchy-matchy, and there are so many great blooms to choose from right now, you can actually try and put Mom’s favorite colors together!
3.) Gifts
Handmade Gifts. All day long. I still have hand-painted pots from Kindergarten, picture frames from 2nd grade and coupon books from fifth grade. I love these handmade gifts from my daughter and will keep them forever and ever.
Store Bought Gifts – If you MUST, really observe Mom over a few weeks and listen. What is she missing? Does she bark out, “This oven mitt burns my hand!” Hey, there’s a clue. Does she yell, “My flip flops are gross! I need some nice sandals for summer!” Hey, another idea! Really if you listen CLOSELY to Mom, she’ll give you a straight-up shopping list that will last you through the Christmas season. Listen.
Personalized gifts are also on the table so don’t skip that part especially if you have loads of ideas on what types of gifts your mom wants like a custom phone case, a coffee mug, and even a custom photo blanket.
That’s it! I wish you luck! Remember, Mother’s Day need not be expensive. It should be heart-felt, considerate, and maybe even a little kid-free Netflix binge time wouldn’t hurt.
Happy Mother’s Day!
