Ask most moms what they honestly want for Mother’s Day and they’ll tell you – straight up – some alone time would be nice! But we get it. It’s our day, so you want to celebrate us in the best way you know how, and like it or not, we’re going to be showered with a bit of extra love, lots of extra calories, and some pretty good swag.
We’re actually pretty easy to please (see alone time reference above), but just in case you’re stumped for the perfect gift for Mom, here are some suggestions to get those juices flowing (these gifts are great from spouses, friends, grandparents, or kids):
For the new mom
Pamper Her
New moms are just trying to figure everything out and a little pick-me-up never hurts. Send a manicurist over to her house to enjoy while baby is sleeping – but make sure you’re there to hold the baby in case sleep isn’t happening! Or better yet, offer to babysit while she goes out for a mani-pedi, or a massage, and some alone time!
Survival Kit
Pull together a thoughtful feel-good survival kit, like this one from Happy Home Fairy, or come up with your own kit, including her favourite healthy snacks, a water bottle to have at the ready during those thirst-inducing middle-of-the-night feeds, a package of sleep-aid vitamins (Healthy Sleep by Jamieson’s is the first time-release natural sleep aid with stress-relieving ingredients: $12.49/16 caplets), a couple of books on tape so she doesn’t get too far behind on her reading, a great new lipstick (L’Oréal Paris’ new exclusive nudes collection: $10.99) for when she finally does leave the house, and anything else you think she’d love.
Accessories
If she’s one of those moms who can’t wait to get back to her pre-bump chic, and wants to stroll around town rocking mat leave in style, she’ll go crazy for these practical and pretty Canadian-made silicone teething necklaces. Take a look at the stylish pieces from local Cluke Creations on Facebook: $12-20, or the pretty pastels from LouLou Lollipop Finery on Etsy: $20-50).
For the warrior mom
Multi-functional wraps
We all know a mom who has struggled, or can really use the love and support of those close to rally around her. If a mom in your life could use a pick-me-up, help her channel her inner warrior with these inspiring and practical wraps from Tillie ($23).
These multi-functional (we’re talking all-in-one head-wrap, head-band, toque, wristband, scarf, and more!) are offered in various themes and patterns, each with an uplifting story behind it. ‘The Billie’ says “I got this” with quiet strength, ‘The Lizzie’ encourages you to “listen to the whispers” in your soul, and there are many more with equally beautiful messages. This is the perfect gift for a woman going through chemo or, frankly, any woman at all.
For the active mom
The perfect ride
Now that the weather has finally started to turn, it’s time to lace up those runners and enjoy the outdoors together! Family bike rides will be more fun than ever with the stylish Schwinn hybrid bike (available at Canadian Tire, $349.99). It’s got the looks of a sleek cruiser, but it’s loaded with comfort and features for a perfect ride.
Monogrammed towels
If she’s more of a gym-goer, pick up one of these ultra-absorbent quick-drying TaLii towels ($13) – and monogram it with your purchase! Available in multiple sizes and a wide range of fun summer colours, moms will love the softness, easy washing and moisture-wicking capabilities.
For the mom-less mom
Customized cutting
Mother’s Day can be a heartbreaking time for someone who’s recently suffered a loss. There’s nothing we can do to ease the pain, but a thoughtful gift to show you care always goes a long way. This customized cutting board ($55) from Etsy’s ElkandElmHome honours any cherished family recipe in a practical, meaningful way.
For any mom
Get stuff done
Remember how we talked about giving Mom some alone time for Mother’s Day? Well, the only thing better than that is the gift of getting stuff done. If she’s been bugging you to finish those paint touch-ups, fix the shower, or hang that new light fixture she bought eight months ago, there’s no better gift that drawing a red line through something on that to-do list (trust us, she has one). If you’re not handy, call a home maintainance company, such as Jiffy-on-Demand, for quick and efficient service for virtually any job required around the house.
Clean the house
And don’t stop there. Purchase a mall gift card and send her off solo for three or four guilt-free hours. And while she’s gone, treat her to a sparkling clean house that she had nothing to do with, either using your own (and the kids) elbow grease, or from a home cleaning service. There are tons of house-cleaning companies out there, including Aspen Clean’s, which includes the use of their own premium line of safe, effective, all-natural cleaning products.
For the mom who needs to get out more
A night out
When was the last night she had a girl’s night out? Sometimes, that’s all a mom needs to rejuvenate herself. If she’s the kind of mom who puts herself and her schedule last, don’t give her a choice. Pick up a bottle of wine and book a Paint Nite session for her and the girls (you can usually find some great deals for local Paint Nights on Groupon), or better yet, send her away for the ultimate girls weekend where she can sweat, laugh, and bond with her besties.
For the mom who has everything
Donate in her name
She’s out there. The mom who truly has it all. And if you’re stumped for the perfect gift to show you care, look no further than Unicef Canada’s incredible survival gifts – because helping a child survive is the best gift a mother could ask for. This program allows you to choose from a range of meaningful gifts that will directly impact mothers and children in dire situations all over the world. Choose from the Mother and Baby Tetanus Pack, the Expectant Mothers Pack, the gift of Water Purification or Urgent Aid and many, many more essential products and services that can make an enormous difference. Visit Unicef.ca to learn more about how you – and any mom – can help.
Do some fundraising
Or if you would like to get really involved in a good cause, why not try the Mother’s Day Breast Cancer Walk. You can help make a difference, have some fun, and get in shape. If the mom in your life likes this type of event, bring her along, and help keep the kids busy at the family activities available. Otherwise, you can do it in her honour.
Yes, the planning and execution around Mother’s Day festivities can make for a busy Sunday, but ultimately, the greatest Mother’s Day gifts of all were delivered on the days her children entered her life. Amidst the chaos of brunches and barbecues, don’t lose sight of that and make sure extra hugs, kisses, and some quality time are tops on the list.
What’s the best gift you’ve given or received for Mother’s Day? We want to know!
Sheri Helman is a suburban mom of two with a zest for life that knows no bounds. When she’s not balancing her career in PR and side biz as a freelance writer, you can find her cooking up a storm (and praying her family will eat it!), at the ‘barre’, planning her next home décor project, coordinating the next girls night out, blogging about The Bachelor and making memories with her husband and kids. She’s written a lot of great content in her head – she just needs to find the time to get it out of there and onto your screen. Check out the stuff she’s managed to type out at babefromtheburbs.com and twitter @SheriHelman.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
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