Mother's Day Ideas

May is the month we celebrate mothers! Whether your mom is still here with you, lives far away or if she has passed away, there are ways to celebrate her and the life she gave you! I always need to get an early start on creative ideas so I thought I'd go ahead and post this now.

Celebrating Mom's memory: Below are some ideas from friends whose momma has passed away. I really appreciate them for being vulnerable and sharing their input and suggestions. A special word of wisdom from one friend said, "The main thing for me is it helps to be able to talk freely and openly about my mom. I would just encourage them to be real, because even if there is sadness there is usually so many more funny beautiful memories there."

• One young woman said she will spend time serving single moms by watching their children and giving them some time to recharge
• Do something that you know your mom enjoyed (examples: riding a bike, going for a hike, reading a book, work in the garden, go get your nails done..whatever brought her joy)
• Donate to a cause your mother supported or volunteer there. For the day make Mom's passion your passion.
• If you know a mom who has lost their child, bring her flowers or ask to treat her to lunch or a movie. You're totally not trying to replace their child but just encourage them and lift them up.
• Buy your mom's favorite flowers and place them in your home or plant them in a container at your house. Cook your mom's favorite meal or watch a movie she enjoyed.
• Write down all the things you know your mom would be proud of in your life at this very moment! Or write a letter to your mom and send it into the sky tied to a balloon.
• Call a nursing facility and ask if there is a woman that needs encouragement or who doesn't get many visitors and bring her flowers.

Appreciating Mom's who are nearby:

• Special Day/Weekend together: I've invited my mom into town (the weekend after Mother's Day) to have a Mother/Daughter Healthy Weekend. For about two weeks now we've been looking for brand new, healthy recipes to try! Our plan is to get together, shop for the ingredients and spend the day bonding over cooking & trying new meals. Then we are going to be crafty and both put together a healthy cookbook. We might also get pedicures and have a tea party in my back yard *grin*
• Create a special box: Click these links for posts that include the Travel Box for Mom *voted one of my best mom's day gifts ever,* Ideas using Mason Jars, and other Decorative Box ideas.
• Homemade card or gift: Make her a gift or card no matter how old you are. Homemade is always special to mom...pour your heart out with words of affection and love too! Consider making her something she can take to work for encouragement.
• Celebrity mom: Have you ever 'interviewed' your mom? Get out a camera and ask your mom some questions. Try to keep it short (5-min). Have fun and get to know your mom a little better. Write your own or ask some suggested questions I found from the CNNi website:

1. What's your favorite part about being a mom?
2. What's the most challenging thing about being a mom?
3. Share a memory of your mother.
4. How did your mom influence how you approach being a mother?
5. Tell me two things I don’t know about you.

• Pictures: Have a mug or puzzle made with a picture of the family together. Or take funny photos you've posted on facebook and make her a fun little album.
• Photo shoot: Find a photographer who is just starting out (usually less expensive that way) and have a photo shoot with mom. This works great especially if you have brothers & sisters. Or...just do it yourself! One time my mom and I went outside on a pretty day and took pictures of ourselves around the house. We had a great time!

 

• Start a new Mother's Day tradition: like running in a marathon together, spend a mother/daughter evening at local B&B, visit an annual flower festival or take a cooking class each year.
• Be Sentimental: Try giving her a long hug. I'm serious...you might be surprised how much it means to her! Sing her a kids song. Write her a poem and recite it. Paint her a picture.
• Find interesting gifts. Select these links to see examples: Flowerhead vase, fun recycled gifts, or from one of my favorite 'go to' sites... inexpensive organic artisan chocolates (highly recommend!)
• Don't forget your grandmothers...they are mothers too! Consider doing an activity or gift that includes generations of women if possible or even organize the largest family gathering you can for a family photo. You might also get a photograph of all the grandchildren and great grandchildren together for a picture.  

Long Distance Mom: If your mom isn't within driving distance or you can't make it home for the holiday here are some ideas for you:

• Do a card slam. A card on mother's day is nice but consider "slamming" her mailbox with cards. You could do one each day of the week with the nicest one arriving on her special day. You could also send her one on mother's day and surprise her when she gets a few in the days to follow. Maybe in each one you can share something about her that means a lot to you. *variation - you can do this with phone calls too
• Send a Mother/Daughter letter writing set (click the link to see it) and start writing each other. Don't forget "forever" stamps...it makes letter sending SO much easier. ha.
• Write a thank you letter listing out items for which you are thankful. Some examples could be: for being a good example, for your sense of adventure, your support during ____, for your patience and discipline when I needed it...etc. Then frame it and send it to your mom.
• Set up manicure, hair appointment, or day of pampering for you mom at her local spa or resort.
• Unique flowers. Please send your mom flowers sometimes. My mom and grandma really enjoy these special deliveries. I look for unique arrangements. For example, have a corsage or wristlet delivered so she can wear it to church or out to lunch/dinner. Consider sending her a flower puppy. This one below was a huge hit when I sent it. Go with an exotic flower, tons of her favorite flowers, or if you choose roses try selecting the ones with floods of color. Also, consider sending her a blooming plant...like a rose bush or gardenia flower bush because these will last longer.

'Mom, when thoughts of you are in our hearts, we are never far from home'.
~Author Unknown

'On Mother's Day I have written a poem for you. In the interest of poetic economy and truth, I have succeeded in concentrating my deepest feelings and beliefs into two perfectly crafted lines: You're my mother, I would have no other!' ~Forest Houtenschil