This Sunday is the day.  My Mother’s Day always includes some dim sum downtown and then wandering some great neighborhood with my camera.  While the meal is always popular, the wandering part is usually met with groans from the youngin’s.  That’s okay.  This year we will skip that part and spend the afternoon with fellow baseball families for some Little League in the sunshine.  Just like Valentines Day, this calendar date seems to bring about pressure to make it the perfect day with the most amazing gifts.  I think when it comes right down to it, all Moms want, is to feel appreciated.  Instead of shopping for some big items, I’ve put some suggestions together that are more personal and give a gift of time.  Personal time.  Very important!

1) Flowers.

These can be fabulous and not cost a ton.  Without having to go to the chi chi florist and without grabbing a “bouquet to go” at the closet grocery store, be creative.  If you have a garden full of splendor, collect from your yard.  If you are at the market, build your own bouquet with each family member picking out something that reminds them of Mom.  Choices could be typical, or be different and wander into the produce section to add some  veggie/herb goodness.  But it will be personal and Mom will notice.

2) Reading Material

Not the latest Dummies Guide to Cleaning  but some fun reading that will give Mom permission for a little quiet time of her own.  It could be specialty magazines that she wouldn’t normally treat herself to, some special interest reading on a topic that is a new interest, or just some good, juicy novels.  A certain trilogy comes to mind.  

3) A class.

Has your Women of the Hour always had a interest in organic gardening but never taken the time to learn about it?  Photography, Painting, French cooking?  Get on Google/Bing/whatever (equal opportunity search engines..) and find someone offering those classes.  Buy a gift card.  This shows that now only have you been listening to those little desires but also that she will get to spend some me time learning something new.

4) Lunch with the ladies

I have yet to meet a gal who doesn’t like to get out and have a little lunch with the gals.  Unless we make it a priority and get them on the calendar though, it doesn’t always happen.  Spark the bookings by getting gift cards to a few of her favorite spots.  These spots have to be adult inspired menu’s so there are no last minute kids meals at Red Robin.

5) 24 hours!

Call her BFF(S) significant other and arrange a getaway for the gals.  It could be a day at the spa for them and then coming home to one empty home for takeout dinner and movies or a hotel stay.  Something right in town that allows them a full day (lunch/dinner/breakfast) with her besties without the rush to an actual getaway.  For Seattlelites, this could be a train ride down to Portland with a hotel overnight to a beach cabin on a local island.  The power of an unrestricted 24 hours is HUGE.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope your day celebrating Mom (Grandma, Aunt, any special woman in your life) is fabulous!