Mom-Approved Ways Celebrate Her This Year
By Jennifer Kennedy
Brunch at a favorite restaurant is nice, but what do mothers really want? Surprise mom with a fresh way to celebrate this year.
Dear Mom
Hallmark cards contain the perfect sentiments – but no words are as precious to a mother as her child’s. Give her a framed, handwritten letter expressing gratitude and admiration as a gift she will keep forever. Buy a pack of sticky notes and remind the family to leave surprise, “I love you, Mom” notes and doodles throughout the year. Include a set of small frames so she can easily preserve and display her favorites.
Art Lover
Is there an artistic interest mom has expressed but put on the back burner? Book a group painting or pottery session to combine family time with an opportunity for her explore a new hobby.
Picture Perfect
A framed photo is cute, but it can be hard to find a decent family picture. Since moms are usually the ones holding the camera, they do not appear in nearly enough photos. Book a session with a professional photographer to get Mom in the shot with her people. Take it up a notch by creating and tagging her in an Instagram video collage of the portrait session’s favorites.
Secret Garden
Raised beds, a new set of gloves and shiny tools are ideal presents for the gardening enthusiast. Enhance the gift with a family trip to the garden center so she can choose flowers, vegetables and herb plants. Recruit the family to handle all the weeding and mulching. Spend the afternoon planting together and contribute to maintaining the garden all season.
Mom’s Day Off
Push mom out the door with a gift certificate to the spa AND take care of the to-do list so she can truly relax. She will enjoy herself more knowing she will be returning home to folded laundry, clean bathrooms, vacuumed floors, the grocery shopping finished and dinner prepared.
Car Service
Carpooling to and from children’s activities leads to messy and smelly cars. Have her car detailed and filled with a full tank of gas. Add a stack of gift cards to her favorite stops in the glove compartment.
Greater Gainesville Moms Share What They Really Want for Mother’s Day
“My perfect day would start with a hot latte, watching the sunrise over Newnans Lake, followed by an early morning rowing lesson. I’d enjoy an afternoon rock climbing with my family and watching my son conquer his fear of heights.”
- Zhao Han, primary care physician and mother of a seven-year-old boy
“Time! I always appreciate time to sleep, read a book in a hammock outside, play pickle-ball, go for a walk or sit quietly outside without interruption”
- Tracy Ulrich, research associate and homeschool mother of two school-aged daughters and one foster infant
“I’d like to sleep in and wake up to breakfast in bed prepared by my son. After that, I’d just love to spend the rest of the day doing something low-key with our family.”
- Nicole Bodlak, adjunct professor and mother of a 10-year-old boy
“I would love tickets to see the Stanley Cup playoffs with my girlfriends followed by a night out of fine wine and good food. We’d end the night salsa dancing at a Cuban restaurant.”
- Yana Long, senior product owner and mother of two boys and two girls
“Quiet time to take a long walk and read the Bible.”
- Faydra Brown, college student and mother of a six-year-old boy
