By Michelle Mady
Mother’s day is quickly approaching! As a mom, I love a sweet card and flowers for Mother’s Day as much as the next mom, but it always has a slight “last-minute” feel about it. I don’t need diamonds, extravagant gifts or five-course meals. However, there are a few things that my husband has put together in the past that have been easy, affordable and so appreciated. So, dads: here’s your cheat sheet to great Mother’s Day gifting!
Idea 1: Practical Kid Art
We all love handprint art and drawings made by our children, but when the art becomes overwhelming piles of paper, it can be hard to keep track of everything. Create a framed collage of some old art or of some new art that features your children as the artists. Digital picture frames are also a great way to display rotating photos of their art.
If you are looking for creative ways to have your children make a gift, check out a local pottery painting studio. These shops usually have plates, vases, mugs and other items to be painted by your child before being professionally glazed. And they come out beautiful and useful!
Idea 2: Family Time
Does mom love going for hikes, visiting the zoo, or going to a museum? Bring the family along to enjoy MOM’s favorite sites. Now, there is an extra step here. Mom gets to ENJOY the outing. That means that dad takes the pictures, manages the behaviors, gets the food and treats, and makes sure that everyone gets out of the gift shop in one piece.
A few years ago, we went on a family hike to a trail we had never been to before for Mother’s Day. It had caverns and caves and was all around fun. My husband packed the snacks, made sure everyone had their water, drove, and did all the prep work to make sure it was a fun day. An outing that I had no hand in planning was the perfect gift that year!
Idea 3: Alone Time
Depending on the mom in your life, this one is equally as amazing as family time. I love a balance of the two. Spend the morning at the zoo together, but take two cars. After the outing, mom gets to go her separate way while dad takes the kids home. Send her to get a massage, get her nails done, or just take herself out to dinner.
As much as moms love their families, time alone to just “be” is limited. Allowing her some guilt-free time to fill her own cup will be so appreciated. Give her a gift card to use for her solo activity and let her off on her adventure. Bonus points if it includes some evening time and dad does bedtime solo so mom can come home and relax.
Idea 4: The Old Faithfuls
The most common Mother’s Day gifts are always appreciated. Brunch in bed, a favorite lunch and a box of chocolates will never disappoint. Bringing mom flowers is great, but don’t go for the typical bouquet! Ask what her favorite flower is, or if you are married, grab flowers that were used at your wedding. A meaningful flower arrangement is so much more thoughtful than a supermarket bouquet.
The old faithful gifts are faithful for a reason. My bracelet featuring the five birthstones of my children is my most prized possession. My mom’s favorite gift is a print of her children’s birth flowers. OK, I didn’t know that was a thing until she got the print from my sister, but it is so pretty and she loves it.
A slam dunk Mother’s Day gift doesn’t need a ton of planning or be from an expensive store. Moms want to be seen; they want to be appreciated and want someone to acknowledge how much work goes into being a mom. So, dads, as long as you are really seeing her, the mom in your life will feel rightfully celebrated.
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About the author: Michelle is a mom of 5 children ranging in age from 5 to 15. As a toddler and preschool teacher, she shares experiences, activities and guidance to other parents, as both a parent and as a professional early childhood educator, at any stage of their parenting journey.
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