The Mother's Day Idea Place

by Mark McAuley

I remember when I was a little boy in school; we would make our mom’s a silly little art project for Mother’s day. You know, a baby food jar with construction paper on it and a tissue paper flower.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am sure mom loved that little home made gift. And most mothers probably still have those little papered jars stored away in a box somewhere so they can pull them out and remember when we were young. Although, as we get older we realize that our gift was not really practical. We start to think maybe I should get mom something better. Something she can use regularly, but more importantly, something she really needs.

If you are like me, your mother is probably at the age where she can order off the senior’s menu. With the special discounts on food also come other more undesirable aspects related to age. The weather no longer seems as warm as it used to. Her feet get colder easier; the extra thick comforters come out of the closet while it is still summertime, and all sleepwear is either flannel or fleece.

As we get older our roles start to reverse with our parents. They spent our entire childhood worried that maybe we weren’t dressed warm enough for the weather, and did we take that sweater to school in case the wind picked up. At bedtime my mom would stick her head in the door 5 minutes after I was in bed to check I was warm enough all snuggled up in my Flintstones pj’s or did I need a big knitted pair of socks on too.

My mother’s penchant for saving on heating hasn’t lessened over the years. She would rather wear 3 sweaters than turn the heat up, always runs the hot water for 5 minutes to heat up the bathroom before a bath, and eighteen blankets on the bed at night. But times have changed. Fleece can now withstand weather only seen in the arctic. Slippers are not only warm and fuzzy but they now come with non-slip soles – another concern we get as our parents age.

My mother has slippers that remind her of her old dog Farley, slippers to wear when company is over, slippers to wear outside to put the garbage in the garage, slippers for every occasion it seems. She doesn’t worry about slipping in them, and I don’t worry about what might happen if she were to slip. She has a warm fleece bathrobe so she no longer has to wash, dry and dress in the bathroom to conserve heat. I notice the bed isn’t piled high with blankets anymore, mom is finally warm without the bulk of three sweaters and knitted stockings.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching I think I am going to replace baby food jar vases with slippers, tissue paper flowers with fleece bathrobes, and eighteen blankets on the bed with warm flannel pajamas. In doing this I also give myself something that can’t be bought – less worry about my aging mom, and some piece of mind knowing she is warm at night all snuggly in her fleece and flannel.

by Nicola KennedyYou don’t have a lot of money to spend this year for her, but you want something special for your mom. Here are some ideas that will take little or nothing to get or make.

A photo album is always nice to have around the house. So if you have many photos that have never made into an album, here is your chance to do something very special and it won’t cost but a few dollars to do.

Go to your local thrift store and look for some old binders and some nice fabric, if you don’t have any at home. Then all you need is some pages that you can put your photos on. Decorate the binder for Mother’s Day and decorate the pages with the pictures on them with captions, buttons, lace, and charms, sort of like a scrapbook. This way the picture get put into an album and you make a inexpensive Mother’s Day gift for your mom.

Here are some silly but lovable and low cost gifts for mom, that are both meant to be funny or personal or both. She would treasure them for ever.

If she is a coffee or tea drinker then a Paint Your Own Mug would an excellent choice, with a painting done in your very hand, every time she takes a drink she will remember the time and love put into this wonderful gift, she would be the envy of all her friends.

Now with this handy kit, she can be paid for being a football widow. As referee, she is in charge! Getting ignored? Yellow Card! Got his mates over again? Red Card! Each card carries a penalty for the family from simply doing the laundry to taking her on a holiday – let the punishment fit the crime….

Mom is afraid of spiders and other bugs? The Spider Catcher is an innovative new product which uses two sets bristles to gently catch the spider, carefully trapping it until you release it outside.

With a trigger at one end and the bristles at the other, there is no need for Mom to spend nights on the couch because a spider has decided to move into the bedroom!
About the AuthorNicola Kennedy has enjoyed some great Mother’s Days, both as a grateful mom and a loving daughter. She can help you find great Mother’s Day gifts with tips and news, information and views at http://www.I-Love-My-Mom.com

All rights reserved. Copyright http://www.I-Love-My-Mom.com

by Pamela Swingley

This year on Mother’s Day why not give your mother a “year long gift;” one that arrives every month? Not only will you be her shining star on Mother’s Day, but other gift-giving occasions will be covered, as well.

A Year of Reading Pleasure

Present your mother with a magazine subscription, one that fits her special interests. She will think about you each time a new issue arrives! Top publications for women include:

> O, the Oprah Magazine (women’s issues)
> Everyday with Rachael Ray (cooking)
> In Style (for fashion-loving moms)
> People (celebrity news)
> Us Weekly (celebrity gossip)
> Real Simple (everyday living)
> Parents
> The Bark (for dog lovers)
> Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine (financially savvy moms)
> Yoga Journal

A Year of Blooms

Available through many online florists, floral arrangements will arrive throughout the year. At 1-800-Flowers.com, for instance, seasonal blooms are used to ensure your mother has fresh flowers all year long.

Each new bouquet delightfully different from the month before! Another option is to send a live plant or bonsai tree every month. Most plans include twelve, six and three month options.

Year of Gourmet Delights

Make sure mom has her favorite foods all year round! Most gourmet food companies offer a food-of-the-month plan that features some of their best products. Visit your mother’s favorite food web site and search for “of the month club”, “year of”, or “monthly club plan.” Many companies offer twelve, six and three month subscriptions.

Need specific ideas? How about a year of gourmet dinners? Omaha Steak’s Gourmet Entrée of the Month plan ensures that at least once a month mom (and perhaps you, too!) will dine in gourmet style.

If your mother is someone who can’t resist chocolate, Godiva Chocolates can send a delectable chocolate lover’s gift every month. Other “Of the Month” type clubs feature monthly offerings of food items such as cheese, salsa, tea, or coffee.

If this sounds like too much of one good thing, iGourmet offers a Connoisseur’s Club plan. With this plan, your mother will receive a varied assortment of seasonal gourmet treats each month. iGourmet also offers several other “Of the Month” club membership options, one sure to appease the adventurous gourmand or budding gourmet enthusiast in your mom.

Stonewall Kitchen offers a monthly plan of varied gourmet food items. Sign up for their Specialty Food Club and your mother will be sent distinct collections featuring Stonewall Kitchen’s finest: award-winning jams, spreads, sauces and butters.

A Year of Fruit

Harry & David’s legendary Fruit-of-the-Month Club will send your mother monthly shipments of select fruit. Each luscious piece pampered while still on the tree, picked during its peak, and sent to her door brimming with freshness and flavor!

If your mother is crazy for vitamin C, Grandma Berrie’s offers a seven month citrus plan, which includes navel oranges, honey tangerines, and ruby red grapefruit.

GotFruit Monthly Fruit Club offers several juicy, mouth-watering plans. This company has been rated the “Best overall; Best value” in fruit clubs by the Wall Street Journal.

A Year of Toasts

Finally, why not give your mother a wine club subscription? Each month she will have the exciting opportunity to explore new and emerging wines from around the world. Wine.com offers several sumptuous, monthly tasting adventures from which to select.

When you choose your Mother’s Day gift this year, thoughtfully consider giving one that will arrive throughout the year. Your mother will have something to look forward to each month…a loving reminder that you think of her all year long!

For more Mother’s Day gift ideas, and great gifts for mom, visit http://www.savvy-mothers-day-gifts.com.

by Sheila Gordon
Mother’s day is almost here and I urge you to start thinking about unique gift ideas for your mom. There is only one day each year when we can really thank our mother for all the effort and love she has given to us. Lets do it right. Lets give her the perfect gifts for mother’s day.

I know many people that join the birth day gift for mom with the mother’s day gift. Don’t do it. She deserves the two gifts. And you could always find a gift to buy her. After all, she is a woman.

My first suggestion would be to put aside for a few moments the tax and gift cost. Try to think your mother wants or what she needs. No body knows your mother better than you. For example, my mother loves everything related to cats. She has a huge cat collection of cats statues and I get her a new one each year – I admit cat lover gifts are easy to find.

If you have figured out what your mother would like as a mothers day gift, decide on your budget and start searching for it. Start looking for the best gift as early as possible. This way, you will be able to make a comprehensive market research and buy the best gift at the best price.

If you haven’t thought of a specific gift to buy for mother’s day, do one of the following, and I guarantee you will find a gift for your mom :

1. Search for gift ideas in online gift stores. Try searching for : “gifts for mom” or “personalized unique gifts”

2. There are several gifts which will always be perfect gifts for mother’s day. These are Jewelry, picture frames, bath spa gift baskets, designer diamond pendants, american express gift cards and visa gift card.
About the Author

Our experts have a made a research to find the best online gift store. Find the results on http://www.tigilet.com/c/Gifts.php. Read more precious info on http://www.tigilet.com

by Wesley Berry
Moms are amazing people. They selflessly care for their children making sure there are always clean clothes to wear, a delicious dinner on the table, and plenty of love to go around. They often put their families ahead of themselves expecting only a quick hug or a smile as a reward. That’s why celebrations honoring mothers have been occurring since the times of the ancient Greeks, and perhaps even before. The first official Mother’s Day in the United States was on May 9, 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be National Mother’s Day, a day on which mothers throughout the country should be recognized for all they do.

Flowers have long been a traditional gift to present to mothers on Mother’s Day. While every mom loves to receive a bouquet or arrangement of her favorite flowers, there are lots of other ways you can incorporate flowers into an extra special declaration of your love. And, it doesn’t matter what your age is or if you’re helping your own young children celebrate mom, you can use flowers to make this Mother’s Day one she’ll always remember. Here are some ideas for both adult children and for younger children:

Adult Children

* If you’re going to celebrate Mother’s Day with dinner out, take a soup bowl and some silverware to your florist. Have the florist create a floral design in the bowl using the silverware as accessories to the arrangement. Place an invitation to the restaurant among the flowers.

* For a public declaration of your love, take your mom out to a restaurant and arrange to have flowers delivered to the table.

* Let your mom know she should relax today. Gift wrap a book and ask your florist to include it with a flower arrangement and a note telling her to spend her day relaxing.

* Send your mom a Mother’s Day tree or plant. Take photographs mounted on decorative paper or in small frames to your florist and ask him or her to tie them to a small tree or plant using matching ribbons.

* Give your mom a corsage to wear throughout the day. She’ll especially enjoy this if she plans to attend a worship service or other public event where everyone can see the gift you’ve given her.

Young Children

* Invite Mom to a movie. Take the movie section from a recent newspaper to your florist and ask him or her to place it in a box of flowers. Decorate the outside of the box with movie candy or candy and popcorn wrappers. Include a card letting Mom know she gets to pick the movie and you’ll buy the tickets and treats.

* Send Mom on a floral treasure hunt. Purchase several single stems of flowers. Have your florist place a flower tube on each one. Hide the flowers around the house and give Mom clues to lead her to each one. Make the last find a vase to place the flowers in and a note letting her know what a treasure she is.

* Breakfast in bed is a time-honored Mother’s Day tradition. Place a pretty vase of her favorite flowers on the tray.

Whether her children are grown or still young, every mom deserves a special Mother’s Day. Your florist will be delighted to help you express your love and respect in almost any creative way you can think of–they might even be able to offer some ideas of their own!
About the AuthorWesley Berry is the President of Wesley Berry Flowers established in 1946. He is also the Headmaster of the Professional Florists’ Institute, a floral design school in Michigan. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at www.800wesleys.com.

by Nicola Kennedy
So many days roll by without a thought to the daily life of our mother. How is her day going? Is everything going well? Does she need to relax? And so on. We are so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget that mom’s have tough days too, even after we are all grown up. And husbands forget that wives, the mothers of their children, do get forgotten in the daily hubbub of life.

So this year, do something that is absolutely and completely all for her. First, make arrangements for a full day at the spa. The works. It is relatively inexpensive and will bring the glow back into mom. While she is at the spa, clean the house, or hire someone to come do it for you. Order out for the best restaurant to deliver a full course meal and set it up for you so that when mom comes home, there is no cooking to be done. Make arrangements to have it cleaned up also. Make sure all her dry cleaning is taken to the shop, the dog is bathed and groomed. The sheets on the bed are fresh and clean.

This may not sound original to some, but for moms, it is the most personal thing you could do for her. Make it so mom does not have to lift a finger for anything.

Another idea, if you want to spend the money and do the footwork, is have a family quilt made for her. There are dozens of ways to do it. You can even have old family pictures incorporated into the quilt. Have the names of her family added to the quilt, this will turn into a “Memory Quilt”, something she gaze upon year after year and in a sense be surrounded by her family each night.

Depending on what “personal” means to your mom or wife, can decide how you want to personalize her Mother’s Day gift. There is engraving, embroidery, painting, and sculpting, or you can do something that mom has wanted done for a very long time and make that personal. Taking a cruise or short trip to a place that she has wanted to go.

To this mom, all things are personal, especially when it comes to her family.
About the Author

Nicola Kennedy has enjoyed some great Mother’s Days, both as a grateful mom and a loving daughter. She can help you find great personalized Mother’s Day gifts with tips and news, information and views at http://www.I-Love-My-Mom.com

by Lynn Bode

Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift this year for Mother’s Day? I’m sure you know at least one, if not more. Sure, flowers can always brighten a Mom’s day and a dinner out is always appreciated. But, doesn’t she deserve something more personal, something that won’t wilt and something that lasts longer than an evening? This year give that special woman a gift that will improve her well being.

I’m talking about the gift of fitness. Improved fitness is a gift that is invaluable to everyone. After all, what woman doesn’t want to look better, have more energy, and be healthier? Plus, all Moms need to take time for themselves, but most are reluctant to schedule that “me” time. So, give them a gift that will help encourage them to enjoy some alone time .

When you give a woman the gift of fitness, you are helping her open a door to better health (both physically and mentally). I can’t think of a more thoughtful gift that shows the recipient how much you care about their well being. By giving the gift of fitness you are providing them with unlimited health benefits. And, it’s a gift that you can truly feel proud to give.

Of course, we all know that exercise can help people stay slim and fit. But, do you also know about all the other great benefits of exercising? Daily physical activity reduces stress and can help you sleep better. Fitness has been linked to reducing the risk of some diseases and to warding off depression. Researchers also believe that strength training can help prevent osteoporosis. Not to mention that exercise also improves self-esteem, increases stamina and ultimately helps you be able to do continuous work for longer.

All Moms would find these fitness benefits incredibly invaluable. If she is like most of us, she’s probably even mentioned how she would like to drop a few pounds or just get in better shape. In fact, experts say that about 62% of Americans are currently on a diet. By giving the gift of fitness you are helping provide her with extra motivation (which is one of the biggest obstacles in getting fit). She may be more motivated to actually get fit because she doesn’t want to feel guilty for ignoring such a thoughtful gift (personal training gift certificates and gym memberships are especially good for helping with motivation).

While fitness gifts are incredibly valuable, they don’t have to be expensive. Gifts can cost as little as $5 or range into the $100s of dollars. Here are a few suggestions in the various price ranges:

Under $15:

• Resistance Band
• Dumbbells
• Jump Rope
• Exercise Mat

$15 – $35

• Fitness Ball
• Online Personal Training Program (custom designed for the gift recipient)
• Home Exercise Video
• Heart Rate Monitor

Over $35

• Full dumbbell and barbell set
• Treadmill
• Bicycle
• Yoga Kit

Giving something that supports health and wellness will be appreciated for years to come and may even turn someone’s life around. The gift of fitness will make her feel special – she’ll know that someone cared enough to give her the opportunity to improve her health. And, giving a gift that will help someone lead a healthier life is also one of the most rewarding gifts you can give. So why spend another Mother’s Day searching for the perfect gift only to end up with the same old things? Surprise her this year and give the gift that comes from the heart and truly keeps on giving throughout summer and beyond.

Want to enjoy the benefits of improved fitness for yourself? There’s no need to wait for someone to give you the gift of fitness. Treat yourself to a special fitness gift – you deserve it!

by Deal Girls

Looking for a great present for your mother, the woman who gave birth to you, raised you, and was there for you every step of the way? What can you give her that she would love, and at the same time would remind her of you, and her grandchildren?

Give Mom personalized jewelry – personalized jewelry is a great gift for a Mother and it could be personalized with different things, such as a names, initials, birthstones and many other things. The best thing about it is that it can be personalized with Mother’s name, or names and initials of her kids and grandkids. This will make the piece of jewelry one of a kind, and your Mom will know that you picked the gift just for her.

Here are tips to help you find a perfect piece of personalized jewelry for your Mom. Here are our tips to help you find that perfect personalized jewelry:

- Personalized Rings. Personalized rings make great gifts for Mothers. You may get a personalized ring with Mom’s name on it, or Mom’s initials.

Or, make the ring really memorable, by choosing a ring personalized with birthstones. You may pick a ring personalized with family’s birthstones – Mom’s, Dad’s kids’ and grandkids’ birthstones, all in one ring. Every time Mom looks at the ring, she will think about her family – this personalized ring will be a very special gift, she will always treasure.

- Personalized Necklaces and Pendants. Usually personalized necklaces is something that the younger crowd wears. A necklace, personalized with the person’s first name has been a hot item a few years ago. However, these necklaces are good gifts for Moms too.

There are necklaces that say Mom or Grandma, which will also make a great gift for Mom. Or, you can have a personalized pendant made for Mom, the pendant would be personalized with Mom’s birthstone and the birthstones of her children and grandchildren. How cool is that?

- Personalized Bracelets are also very popular gifts for Mothers, and there are many to choose from. Some bracelets are personalized with Mom’s name. Others may be personalized with Mother’s and childrens names. Yet, others may have her birthstone or a combination of her and childrens’ birthstones on it, making it one of a kind bracelet just for her.

Next time when you are looking for a gift for Mom, get her a personalized piece of jewelry. You will be glad you did – she will love it!

by Melanie Breeze

Do you know a Mom who needs to be thanked for the tireless effort she makes every day to her family? Does your Mom get the appreciation she deserves? While we all know we should tell our mothers how much we love her every week, sometimes our day to day routine can make us forget. This Mother’s Day, make Mom feel extra special! By following the gift ideas and tips below, you’re sure to make this year’s Mother’s day a great one, something she will cherish and remember, and all at the same time keeping an eye on your checkbook.

Anyone could get flowers and a card and be done with it, but don’t you think Mom deserves a little more thought and consideration this year? After all, it’s only one day where we really get the opportunity to tell mom how special she is. Sometimes an inexpensive, more thoughtful gift can go a long way in telling her how much you care.

So first, spend a moment think about what Mom likes, considering her hobbies and interests. Does she like to garden or spend time outside? You could consider some gardening equipment or fitness clothing. Does she like a certain animal or enjoy a certain type of craft? How about a gift that will add to her collection, or a piece of equipment to help with her hobby? Whatever it is, by taking just a little time to think it through and plan out your purchase, you’ll get the benefit of a unique gift that will have her smiling ear to ear.

Next, define a budget and how much you’re willing to spend. By planning in advance, you can often take advantage of internet shopping specials, coupons, and free shipping offers. The marketplace online is growing rapidly and you can often find deals and discounts you would otherwise not have found shopping near home. Also, by expanding your options to buying something online, you’ll find that many of the unique items you couldn’t find in stores are in abundance on the web.

If you are going to shop online, make sure to plan your purchase far enough in advance to allow for adequate delivery time. Many stores provide free shipping offers if you don’t need the items overnight. Also, why not use a coupon? Did you know that most stores on the web these days take a new form of online coupons? Most often this is a code that you can enter just before checking out of a store. Your discount would then be applied right there, just like using a coupon at your local grocery store! There are coupon code websites that provide all these types of offers and coupons in one location, where you can search by store to find a deal you want. Many of the top online places to shop have great coupons, including Buy.com, Overstock.com, and Dell! A great place to get these codes and free shipping offers is at http://www.couponchief.com

Still not sure, or really don’t have the budget? What about a personal coupon / IOU that entitles her to something special, like a massage or a chore that you normally don’t perform. Sometimes these simple gifts can do more to delight her than something you buy. Another idea would be to get her a simple pendant or ring to constantly remind her of your love and appreciation. These can be found at online jewelry stores at deep discounts, sometimes even in the $10 to $20 range! In any case, be creative, she will understand and be happy your gift was thoughtful.

And lastly, give her a big hug and tell her you love her!

by Sam Serio

Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother’s Day, but there are pitfalls, especially if you rush at the last minute. Procrastination and a lack of knowledge can be rewarded with overpaying for a piece of jewelry or even worse, being ripped-off.

A gift of jewelry can be expensive. Asking friends, family and co-workers if they can recommend a website, brick and mortar store or local crafts person can help. Checking with the better business bureau is also a commendable approach.

When you are shopping, ask the salesperson to write down any information you might rely on to make your purchase and before you buy, ask for the store’s refund and return policy. When ordering online, keep printouts of the web pages with details about the transaction, including refund and return policies if you’re not satisfied.

Six Smart Shopping Tips for Mother’s Day and Beyond

1. There’s a big difference between 14 karat gold and gold-plated jewelry. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. Gold-plated describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. Gold plating eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.

2. If you’re buying a watch, determine whether you want one that runs on a battery or one that must be wound daily. Ask if a warranty or guarantee is included, how long it lasts, and what parts and repair problems it covers. Also ask how and where you can get the watch serviced and repaired.

3. Know the difference between laboratory-created gemstones and naturally mined stones. Stones created in the lab are visually identical to stones mined from the earth. The big difference is in the cost: laboratory-created stones are less expensive then naturally mined stones. But because they look must like stones mined from the earth, they must be identified as lab-created. If you want a naturally mined stone, ask if it has been treated. Gemstone treatments– such as heating, dyeing or bleaching– can improve a stone’s appearance or durability. Some treatments are permanent; some may create special care requirements. Treatments also may affect the stone’s value.

4. Ask whether pearls are imitation or real. Real pearls are made by oysters or other mollusks; imitation pearls are man-made. Cultured pearls are made by mollusks with human intervention; and irritant introduced into their shells causes a pearl to grow. Real pearls that are not cultured are fairly rare and expensive. The cost depends on the size, usually stated in millimeters, and the coating or “nacre” on a real pearl, which gives it its iridescence.

5. When you’re buying a diamond, consider four criteria: cut, color, clarity and weight, usually stated as carats. Each factor affects the price. Color is sometimes “graded” on a scale. However, scales are not uniform: a “D” may be the best color for one scale, but not for another. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color of the diamond you’re considering. A diamond can be described as “flawless” only if it has no visible surface cracks or other imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

6. One final tip, Mom’s love longer (i.e. 24″) gold or sterling chains with gemstone pendants. And you can almost never go wrong with the very popular omega-style chains in various widths in sterling silver or gold.