Gift Ideas for Mom
Apr 24 '09
The Bottom Line A gift for mom shouldn't be too hard, just give from your heart.
If you are lucky enough to still have your mom around, take advantage of it by thinking of what you can do to remind her that you love her.
If you are in the same town, spend time with her.
Take her out to some place she'd enjoy (some inexpensive options are): a garden, a craft fair, a drive through beautiful scenery, a museum, a hike....
You could make her breakfast (or lunch or dinner) and dress up the occasion with pretty place settings or candles. Or maybe pack it all up and treat her to a picnic by the beach or in a garden.
See if she needs any help with things around the house or yard (though REALLY, if you live close enough, you shouldn't wait till Mother's Day to help out). Don't surprise her with something that she might not want, but if you know she's been wanting something (like an Instant Hot Water Dispenser) you could buy it and install it for her (or have it professionally installed).
If you can afford to spend a little more, consider: taking her to the theatre, a fancy restaurant, high tea, a circus, a wine tasting trip, a carriage ride, a cruise, a concert, a weekend at a bed and breakfast...
If you think she might prefer some time alone:
Treat her to some pampering. If you are planning to take her someplace special afterwards, then a makeover is nice. Otherwise, you could treat her to a day at the spa or give her a gift certificate that she can later use on a massage or manicure or pedicure...
If you think she might prefer to pamper herself at home, then a gift basket with products she likes (moisturizers, bath salts, facial cleansers, toners, nail polish, aromatherapy, scented candles) maybe combined with a luxurious bath robe (Restoration Hardware has a nice one) or an extra large Egyptian cotton bath sheet...
If you are good with your hands:
You could make her something. (Bear in mind that if you are not skillful, a homemade item might NOT be the most thoughtful gift. Some mothers really like things that are made, some don't.) You could make her something out of wood, or a quilt or knit something.
If you want some additional ideas of things to buy and send:
-a digital picture frame, loaded with pictures of the family, maybe with recorded messages she can play
-flowers
-a season of her favorite tv show on DVD (my mom enjoys the "Everybody Loves Raymond" sets I got her)
-season tickets to the ballet/theatre/opera
-a gift basket of quality gardening tools (Corona makes excellent trowels and hand pruners)
-a set of new cookware (like AllClad)
-(if she's a gourmet and likes to cook) a basket of expensive gourmet ingredients like saffron and truffle oil, along with a fancy cookbook, maybe some quality linens
-a beautiful set of napkins or table linens
-(if she travels a lot) a nicely designed set of luggage or a quality overnight bag
-compact, high-quality binoculars like Minolta (good if she likes theatre or goes birdwatching)
-a phone for the hard of hearing (and call her) see my review
-Photon Microlite II--a great thing to have on a keychain see my review on the Photon Microlites
-a high-quality music box
-high-quality wind chimes with good tone (it can take awhile to pick out one that sounds nice)
-a digital camera
-a flat-screen tv
-a Blackberry (if she likes tech toys)
-an emergency preparedness kit (windup radio, plug-in lights that go on when the power goes out, etc.)
-a Playstation or Gameboy with a game she might enjoy (if she likes it, in the future you can just get her new game cartridges)
-and there are always the usuals of jewelry, perfume, cosmetics, clothing, crystal, candy
(If she likes to shop on Amazon, show her the Wishlist page where she can add items that she'd like to have. If she uses it, you'll be set for life.)
If you both are in Puget Sound, some ideas are:
-A dinner cruise
-High tea at some place elegant like Queen Mary or Elizabeth and Alexander
-Camlann Medieval Mayfair (May 2nd and 3rd) in Carnation
-Whale watching cruise to see orcas
-Woodland Park Zoo (maybe adopt an animal for her)
-Northwest Trek
-Chocolate tasting at Chocolopolis in Queen Anne
-A day trip to Victoria
-Oh Chocolate! chocolates
-Wine tasting in Walla Walla
-a canoe ride through Lake Washington
-white water rafting
Some moms delight in getting something frivolous and some prefer the money spent on something practical. Many would be disappointed at getting a household appliance and yet some would be ecstatic to get a new stove. Think about what YOUR mom likes or doesn't like.
Whatever you choose to do, make or give--if it comes from your heart, you will enjoy giving it and she will enjoy receiving it.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jmatsu
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Joy M
Location: outside of Seattle
Reviews written: 81
Trusted by: 25 members
About Me:
Pls consider buying things Made in the U.S.A.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.