Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Don’t feel bad if you forgot about it until now – it’s the middle of AP testing season, sports are picking up, and life is just busy overall. But now that you’ve remembered, you have to think of a gift. For many, this task seems even more daunting then remembering Mother’s Day in the first place. But with a bit of creativity, you can get her the perfect gift.
If you can’t think of a physical gift to give your mom, you could offer to do something for her. Do one of the chores around the house the week before or after Mother’s Day. For a really fun gift, make a set of mock coupons on the computer to redeem various chores, cut them out to coupon size, and package them in a pretty box. When your mom needs a chore done, she can turn in one of your coupons. (The only caveat is to not promise more chores than you can – or will – do!)
Chip in for a big family gift, such as a laptop, or give a combined gift with one of your siblings if you want to buy her something that’s more expensive than you can afford.
Ask your dad for ideas! He may know of something she wants or needs that you do not, or he could help you brainstorm for gift ideas.
Take advantage of your electives and kill two birds with one stone by getting a project done and making a gift. If you are taking an art elective, dedicate your next project to her and make something you know she would like. If you are in woodshop, you could make a supply box for pencils or paper clips in her office, a jewelry box, or anything else you know she would use. In creative writing? Write your next piece about your mom or a memory you have with her and give her a copy on nice paper.
Of course, food is always a great option to turn to. Find out what her favorite snack is or if there is a food that reminds her of something special. For example, my mom’s grandfather made candy, and every time she and her siblings visited when they were kids, he would give them homemade butterscotch candies. I gave her butterscotch candies one year from a small candy store where everything was homemade, and she really appreciated it. Or, if you’re talented in the kitchen, you could cook a special dish for her.
Most of all, listen carefully in the upcoming week – she will probably mention something that she needs, and if you make a note of it, you can buy that for her for Mother’s Day.
What was the best Mother’s Day gift you ever got your mom?
Quinn Hurley: For practically every holiday, I make photo albums, and one year I gave my mom one for Mother’s Day. It’s doesn’t cost a lot and is super easy, but is very sentimental.
Matt Sokol: If we’re going into the city, I’ll buy her a nice lunch.
Audrey Rowland: When I was in elementary school, I got her a journal from Sage’s Pages. I was really excited because I saw her actually using it!
Nick Lami: One time my brother and I made breakfast in bed for my mom.
Libby Johnson: We painted vases one year, which was really fun.
Alexandra Jassin: I usually make my mom things, like art.
Chloe Schorr: Two years ago, we took my mom to the zoo because she said she really wanted to go. We made her think that we would never go, and in the morning we pretended we forgot about Mother’s Day, but then my brother gave my mom a stuffed animal and we spent the day at the zoo! It was a nice time with the whole family.
Maura Fennelly: My sister and I made my mom a scrapbook!
Will Wraith: My sister and I went to Lululemon and got my mom a bunch of sweet stuff.
Hope Motzenbecker: I wrapped a can in colored paper and wrote “#1 Mom, #2 Pencils” on it and gave it to her as a pencil holder for her desk.