Picking a gift out for Mom is hard work. We get it. Knowing how to pick out JUST THE PERFECT THING is a skill that takes years to master and a keen eye.
So we'll make it easy for you. Ask yourself these simple questions. And then hie yourself over to the right place to shop.
Head on over to your local handy liquor store. If she's got empties lying around, then perfect! You know exactly what to buy more of - no fail. But if you want to take a walk on the wild side, take a look at some of the special offerings, like this hard Cherry Cola. Bring back a little nostalgia for the good stuff, when it was made with real cane sugar and vanilla... with a little bonus adult spin.
Not sure about the cherry cola? Grab some cans of radler and a bottle of red wine and make this 30 Second Sangria. Pair it with a BBQ lunch or dinner, throw it on some paper plates for easy cleanup for the kids, and you'll be all thumbs up in Mom's books.
Spa baskets are a thing (especially if going to the actual spa is too pricey). You can buy them premade, but to be perfectly honest, it's super easy to set the kids loose in your local drugstore. Have them pick out bath salts or a bath bomb, a manicure/pedicure kit, some nice nail polish, and ask the nice ladies at the makeup counter about some facial treatments. Don't be afraid to throw in little bonuses for ambiance like chocolates or scented candles.
Load it up into a cute little bag, can, or basket. Add a card, and then smuggle the kids into the basement to play video games so mom can enjoy a bath and some alone time.
Be honest with yourself: how nice is it to spend time there? If your answer is "meh," then perhaps it's time to make a little investment in making it a nicer place to be - especially if she's commented more than once about the deplorable state of your patio furniture or your umbrella has holes in it.
You can get an entire ridiculously nice couch and table set from places like D.O.T. Furniture or even Home Depot for a modest investment (about $2,000) and not only be set for Mother's Day, but your entire summer now and for years to come. If that's a little out of price point, though, sparkle up the back yard with some nice ornaments, some beautiful potted plants, and maybe a nice new lounge chair for Mom.
Sometimes a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do. And Mother's Day doesn't keep moms from needing to head to work, travel, or serve overseas. E-cards are the best and speediest way to let mom know she's still loved and on your mind, no matter where she is - even if she's just at work.
But, a card is thoughtful anytime, even if you're buying other presents. And every time a child sends a free eCard to a mother this Mother’s Day from this site, a $10 donation will be made directly to SOS Children’s Villages Canada to help support other mothers in need. Bonus: this teaches children a valuable lesson about giving back, and also lets them get involved in learning this art of gift-giving. Dad, just have them answer some fun prompted questions about mom (e.g. “What’s something mom says a lot?” “What’s your favourite thing about mom?”).
E-readers of any kind are awesome, especially if she reads fast or likes to carry a veritable library handy for sneaking reading time in anyplace she goes. And if Mom likes to read in the tub, or you've got some pool or cottage vacations planned, the New Kobo Aura H2O might be the perfect gift. Not only is it as waterproof as the name implies, it's designed to be easy to read in direct sunlight because of the classic anti-glare E ink display. But just because it's E-ink doesn't mean you can't read it in bed; it has a ComfortLight built in.
Buy a Kobo gift card to go with it so she can buy a few books right away, and you'll be good as gold.
Etsy has some real works of art, especially if you love to support people in your area at a super-affordable price. It's one of our favourite places to find unique jewelry, custom made clothes, and paintings. Just type in "Made in Canada" if you want to support Canadian artisans.
If she likes phone bling, check out these one-of-a-kind iPhone cases.
Etsy doesn't have a monopoly on the handmade. But it can be a bit of a task to find something truly special there sometimes, because it's a wide-open market. There's dozens of charities that give gifts that give back. We've got a great list we made for Christmas, but most of these gifts are beautiful any time of year.
So for those who are looking for high-end - or even to an end - shops like Local Lejos and Uncommon Goods curate unique goods with a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is to help artisans feed their families or build their farms in impovershed areas around the globe (Local Lejos). Uncommon Goods pays fair wage to people who use environmentally friendly materials and packaging. And this handmade Upcycled Indonesian Batik Bag, made from patchwork recycled cotton, is a perfect example of a great gift that gives back.
Fellas, even if she happens to mention that she needs an iron, a vacuum, or a new stove, these are not appropriate gifts for Mother's Day (or her birthday, or Christmas) unless Mom's got a great sense of humor.
And you've got a backup gift.
Take our word for it; you're better off with one of the other gifts here.
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