Mother’s Days. I’ve celebrated 51 as a daughter (okay a few of those really early years, I bet dad and meemaw helped me pick out a perfect gift) and I’ve celebrated 24 as a mom. I’ve had my fair share of favorite gifts, which qualifies me to offer some advice.
I thought I’d help those who may struggle to come up with unique, let’s say uncommon, ideas for gifts on your own – beyond fresh flowers and chocolate roses (lovely gifts I enjoy receiving and would never turn away).
Celebrate Funny!
1) Gifts featuring funny quotes or honoring funny people.
Besides my own mom, grandmas, aunts, best friends – you get the picture – one of my absolute favorite women of all time is the late, great, humorist Erma Bombeck. Why not celebrate your mom’s gift of humor with a gift bearing the name of, or quotes from one of the most beloved and funniest ladies ever? I happen to own a wine glass, coffee mug, water bottle, and the ‘You Can Write’ print shown on the link. But I wouldn’t mind a full set of wine glasses, the notecards, and the shirt is fun too. (hint, hint)
I love this gift idea especially for moms because Erma helped millions navigate the often unknown territory of raising children with her classic sense of humor. Another reason this is a perfect gift? All proceeds from Erma merchandise sales supports the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop’s endowment. I have attended twice and hope to many more times. Through arrangement with the family and Erma’s agent, the University of Dayton Bookstore is the exclusive distributor. When people buy Erma merchandise, they support the workshop and honor one of the greatest humorists of our times.
2) Comedy club tickets. Check to see if there are any moms, grandmothers, or daughters hitting the stage of your local comedy club. Get her two or four tickets. You can go with her or you can let her pick friends to attend with for a fun girls night out.
3) Gift card for your local book store. You can purchase a card for an online source, but I think it is more personal if you support local and ask a clerk to put together a list of funny authors and maybe even funny audio book selections from which your gift recipient might choose. My mom likes audio books for travel. Again, you can’t go wrong with Erma Bombeck titles. Visit the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop, there are plenty of funny humorists from which to choose. Many I am fortunate to call friends and they are ‘grab a tissue to wipe your tears’ hilarious.
Celebrate Naturally!
1) Lotions, potions, and fragrances. This is not an uncommon Mother’s Day gift, but perhaps you’ve not thought of safe scents. Safe for you, the environment, and those around you. How perfect as this post falls on Earth Day.
I know you’ve experienced the knock-down of someone walking into the room and you can smell their perfume for days. Why not choose something natural? A fragrance that will compliment and enhance your own body chemistry, not compete with it.
Full disclosure, my friend Tania Reuben created Pure Natural Diva™. She sent me a sample pack early in development. I have wanted to promote PND for some time, but didn’t really feel I had the right opportunity. Mother’s Day gift-giving season year after year is perfect. I haven’t sampled her sugar scrub, toner, or whipped body products, but I love the concept of all. Might I suggest you order a travel set or a sample set so the mom in your life can choose the scent she loves most? I adore Natural, with Pure being a close second. (another hint). 
I worked with Tania during the development on various promotional material, simply as a friend. I believe in the product, the mission, her work ethic, and her passion to offer a beauty product which is natural. I think the products in her line make beautiful, thoughtful, and meaningful gifts. Wearing them will not let you, your mom, or your grandmother smell like every other lady in the elevator and you are being kinder to our environment by choosing natural, safe scents. I also like wearing something that will get noticed for the right reasons and get people talking about where you found it.
2) Plant a tree, or a full garden. Go to a garden center and arrange for a tree to be planted on your mom’s property. I love flowering trees and shrubs that bloom each season like the deep pink beauty near the mailbox in the photo below. I’d choose those that bloom in the summer or fall since Mother’s Day is in May. You could win ‘child or grandchild of the year’ if you take it a step further and ask a landscape designer to plant a garden for her. Like the photo of my parent’s home, maybe something near her front door, back deck, patio, or near her bedroom window? Does she like to cook? You can have them design an herb cutting garden. You’ll benefit too! If you choose perennials, she’ll remember your gift and the thought behind it each season of bloom. Branch out! A hem.
Celebrate Musically!
1) Wind chimes. I love melodic chimes. If she has a garden space, even a small patio, she may love wind chimes too. I know you can get personalized chimes at engraving shops like Things Remembered. I happen to love a set of chimes pictured near my front door from Cosanti WindBells. My husband took me to the ranch in Arizona where they are made, not far from where he grew up in Scottsdale. That made me appreciate the craftsmanship of mixed metals even more. They are sturdy and unique.
2) Music lessons. This can include learning how to play an instrument, perfecting how to play, or voice lessons. It is never too late to learn. Find a local-to-you source and see if they offer an introductory lesson and maybe a gift card for more if she loves the first lesson. You can also spring for rental of an instrument if she needs one.
3) Movie soundtrack CD. Does she have a few favorite movies? Will you take her to see a movie soon? Look to see if you can find the movie soundtrack. Chances are, if she loves the movie, she’ll love the music from it as well.
4) Tickets to a musical. Check to see what musicals are produced locally or if any Broadway tours are coming to your town (you’re extra lucky if you live in a big city, but if you don’t, hopefully a show will travel to you or nearby). Like mentioned above, you can also compliment the tickets by purchasing the CD as well.
Can you share any favorite Mother’s Day gifts you have received or given? You might spark another great idea for somebody else. Of course, the best gift is to make the mothers in your life feel special and appreciated more than one day in May.
