Mother's Day isn't just about waiting an hour for mediocre brunch, or bringing over a sad arrangement of tulips, or grabbing a sappy card last minute--it's about spending time with one of the people who shaped you. While not everyone has a great (or even traditional) relationship with their moms, why not use Mother's Day to show one of the influential women in your life some appreciation for how they've helped you grow?
We put our heads together to come up with some thoughtful, sincere, and unique ways to show your appreciation for mom without a carnation or early bird special in sight. So get your act together, because you still have a couple of weeks to go before the big day! And remember--mothers aren't always the person who gave birth to us. Sometimes they're our mentors, our best friends, our friend's moms, and each of those relationships deserves to be honored.
1. Fill her phone with podcasts
What better way to show mom you care than give her the gift of entertainment? Even if your mom is tech savvy, loading her subscription list with some new shows is a great way for the two of you to stay connected. Not only are you giving her the gift of education, entertainment, and relaxation, but you're giving her endless topics for conversation! Some of our favorites are My Favorite Murder with Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff, a true crime podcast hosted by two hilarious, insightful women who honor the victims without glorifying the killers--sounds morbid, but it's fascinating and touching, as well as totally funny. We also love RuPaul: What's the Tee, a weekly podcast featuring the iconic drag queen and his closest friends and colleagues. Is mom into science? Then subscribe her to How It's Made. No matter what you chose, she's going to love knowing you thought of her and want to share an interest. Be sure to take her out to lunch every once and a while to catch up on your favorite podcasts!
2. Picnic lunch
Literally no one wants to wait in line for Mother's Day brunch, so why not skip it? Take mom to a farmer's market and load up on fruit, baked goods, cheese, and juice, then meander to a park (or even a nice sunny bench) for some quality time. If you're a planner, hit up Whole Foods the day before and grab some of her favorite snacks--we love brie and fig sandwiches, Asian pears, artisan pickles, and a bottle of Italian soda. Arrange everything in a cute picnic basket, grab a blanket, and take her to a scenic spot. Include a little note in the basket for your next breakfast or dinner date, and ask her to plan it for the two of you. She'll feel pampered and then love the opportunity for a second outing. If mom isn't the outdoorsy type, bring a bagged lunch to the mall for a shopping date, or get burritos and browse a bookstore.
3. Culture club
Why not give mom the gift of a shared experience? Look for inexpensive theater tickets, keep your eye out for cool museum exhibits, or find your local art walk and scoop mom up for a day of culture. Many city chambers of commerce even have free historic walking tour maps on their websites, loaded with tons of cool information about your surroundings you might not know. Plan a day for the two of you to explore your city like tourists, complete with stops in the gift shop and a really nice lunch. You'll be surprised about how learning something new together can make even a cheesy holiday feel fresh, and mom will know you put thought and time into the celebration of her day. It's a total win-win!
