3. Plan a trip or activity
What Mom probably really wants is to spend time with you. Choose an activity you’ll both enjoy for a relaxing day together.
- Go to a movie you’ve both been wanting to see.
- Plan a weekend getaway. (Maybe go to the beach!)
- Explore a city you’ve never been to, just make sure you build in time to kick up your feet and relax.
- Go to a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try for a delicious meal.
- Plan a picnic lunch or dinner and head to your local park.
4. Cook her a meal at home
Think of all the times Mom cooked you dinner, whether it was chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese as a kid or your favorite home-cooked lasagna last time you visited. Treat her to a great homemade meal for Mother’s Day. Get all your ingredients and head to Mom’s house. She can relax (and maybe sip a glass of her favorite wine) while you whip up a masterpiece. Even if you’re not a great chef, the gesture of cooking her a meal is a great gift and excellent way to spend time with her.
And don’t leave her a mess to clean up, either. From start to finish, prep to clean-up, you’re in control. Load (and run!) the dishwasher and wipe down the counters when you’re done so there’s no mess or stress left for your mom.
If you have young kids, a family-cooked meal for your significant other is a great way to teach your kids a little about cooking, spend time with them and surprise mom. Choose something that the kids can be hands-on with—they’ll be proud to serve Mom their food and having the kids help makes it extra special for the guest of honor.
5. Treat Mom to a spa day
Everyone likes to be pampered. Whether it’s a gift card to her favorite nail salon or an hour at the local massage studio, Mom will appreciate this thoughtful gift. This can be a little expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Check sites like Groupon for deals.
You can also set up an at-home spa day for mom. With some basic supplies, a few essential oils and some relaxing music, you can treat mom to a little relaxation without ever leaving the house. Plus, this way, she gets to spend time with you. Invite your aunts, sisters and grandmothers and granddaughters and create your own salon for the ultimate girl's day.
6. Give her a new book, audio book or mix tape
Does your mom love to read? What about audio books? Do a little research and find a book mom could cuddle up and relax with. A book by her favorite author or in her favorite genre shows Mom you thought about her when choosing her gift. Maybe she prefers audio books. Choose one you think she'd enjoy or give her a gift card so she can choose her own.
What kind of music does she like? Make mom a mixed tape (or mixed playlist, these days) of songs she loves or songs that make you think of her. What was that song she always played you at bedtime? And don’t forget to add the one you two made up a choreographed dance to when you were in middle school! Mom will appreciate the time you took to make her a personalized playlist and it’s something she can relax to alone or jam out to with you.