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Anyone of any age or budget can make a mom feel loved on Mother’s Day. You can always get flowers, but why not surprise her this year? Creativity and a little advance planning will help you find thoughtful and perfect gifts for Mother’s Day.

Getting Started

Meet Mom. The best Mother’s Day gift corresponds with Mom’s needs and interests. If Mom had a choice for the perfect day, what would she do? Even if the answer is “relax with a good book,” you can still make that answer into the perfect present. Make a list of what Mom likes to do, what she loves to talk about and what you think of when you think of Mom.

The gift of time. Many moms are busy, so they just want time as a Mother’s Day gift. Mom needs time to spend with special people, time to rest and have time to herself, time away from chores or time to put her feet up. Gift-givers can perform a single extra chore, and this may be more appreciated than flowers. Give Mom a certificate for a night off, which includes dinner prepared (or brought in) by someone else, a cup of Mom’s favorite tea or cocoa, a good book or a soothing music CD. Other relaxation gifts could include some bubble bath, a funny movie and some gourmet snacks or home-baked cookies. On her night off, the gift giver should also take care of the dishes and any evening chores.

A gift of time could include spending time with Mom doing something she likes to do, such as sitting and chatting and playing cards on an uninterrupted afternoon. A gift like that can include a new deck of cards, a cute pen, a pad for keeping score and some good snacks. Put together all of these items in a little basket with a certificate or card explaining what it’s for, and tie it with a ribbon.