Choosing a Mother’s Day gift can be challenging. How do you find that special something for the woman who gave you life (or gave life to your children)? While a material gift might not feel like enough, it’s a great way to acknowledge the day and show your appreciation.
Here’s a practical guide to help you choose the perfect Mother’s Day gift.
Set Your Budget
First, consider your budget. As much as we’d like to send Mom away for a relaxing weekend at a luxury spa, not everyone has the resources to make it happen. Mother’s Day truly is a day when it’s the thought that counts, so don’t stress too much if money is tight.
Understanding your budget limits will help you narrow down potential gift options. If money is limited right now, consider scaling up in the future when things are more steady.
Consider Her Hobbies and Likes
When choosing a gift, avoid something generic and overstated. Instead, opt for something that fits Mom’s preferences, celebrating her hobbies and passions. Take some time to jot down what things Mom is interested in, whether it’s gardening, flowers, the Golden Girls, or reading. Then, write a few potential gift ideas that encompass those hobbies.
Fortunately, there are endless Mother’s Day subscription gifts to choose from that celebrate various interests. If you’re at a loss for what to buy, do some digging and ask what she’s interested in lately. You can also note common complaints and come up with solutions. For example, if she’s feeling stressed or tired, a gift that helps her relax could be beneficial.
Consider the Wow Factor
Ideally, the gift you give Mom will elicit an emotional reaction. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to find a meaningful gift. Something as simple as having your Mom’s handwriting transcribed into jewelry or filling heirloom photos into personalized books for mother’s day will be meaningful and sentimental.
If it’s within your bandwidth, consider purchasing a gift that she’d never buy for herself, like a bucket list trip or expensive piece of clothing.
Consider Practicality
Sometimes, practical gifts make the best gifts. While buying your Mom a KitchenAid mixer or air fryer might not seem overly personal, there’s sentiment in buying something she’ll use and love.
It’s also important to consider practicality when choosing a gift based on storage, transportation, scheduling, etc. Planning a surprise weekend getaway seems like a nice gesture, but not if it conflicts with her existing plans. Buying a memory tree is sweet and sentimental, but not if she has nowhere to plant it.
There’s a common misconception that practical gifts are frowned upon for Mother’s Day, but it really depends on her preferences and the gift itself.
Keep it Simple
If all else fails, keep it simple. A handwritten note and a bouquet of flowers are still a fantastic way to show your love and appreciation. Better yet, give her the gift of your time and spend the day together. Time is something you can’t buy.
