“I’m so loaded down with samples and gift ideas right now,” I said to my friend, “It’s Mother’s Day season.”
“I don’t get it,” she said. “Who are you recommending these gifts for? Your readers are mostly moms. Oh! It’s what we should buy for our own moms!”
*blink*
*blink blink blink*
All these years of mom blogging and I’d never actually thought of that. Who are these gifts supposed to be for? I guess these are often supposed to be gift ideas we can ask for. You know, when you subtly text your husband the link to this post and say, “No 4 plz. One more apron and I will hang myself with it.”
But she’s right. I should be writing Mother’s Day gift guides for men’s magazines! (Remind me to pitch that next year.) In the meantime, we do have our own mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters-who-are-moms, and friends-who-are-moms who we also want to recognize.
And remember, as much as you love glitter-covered macaroni necklaces WITH ALL YOUR HEART, Mother’s Day can often be a whirlwind of burnt toast (THIS is why we’re supposed to teach them to cook!), papier-mâché … birds? is that a bird?, visits to the in-laws, over-crowded restaurants AND a few loads of laundry because, well, it’s still Sunday night. So it’s completely legit to buy yourself a little something too.
Here are my top picks:
For your own mom:
Let a cherished family recipe take place of pride with these custom decorative cutting boards from Canadian Etsy seller Elk & Elm Home. They’re perfect for hanging or leaning against a wall and, of course, for handing down to the next generation.
For the brand new mom:
When you’re caring for a newborn, you consider yourself lucky if you can find time for a shower in any given day. Forget about cleaning the house. Hiring a service for a one-time deep clean might possibly the best present for any mom, especially one with a newborn under her care. Bonus points for using a service that specializes in eco-friendly cleaning services.
For the mom friend who has it all:
Nobody needs another box of chocolate or bunch of variety store flowers. Your mom friend who is pretty much set, will appreciate it more if you spend that money on mothers and babies who truly need the help. You can spend as little as $18 on a Unicef Survival Gift that will make a real difference for moms and children around the world. And it comes with a card!
For yourself:
To be honest, the gift sample I have been enjoying the most is nothing super fancy. It’s this ingenious one-piece headband/bandanna/scarf/hood and more. (They say it can be a tube top, too, but I’m not going test that one out personally.) The Tillie head covering is made from a seamless piece of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that comes in a variety of prints adorned with fun and inspirational quotes. And, most importantly, it stays put! It’s become my go-to bad hair day saviour.