The Perfect Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is around the corner, and you want to give her the perfect Mother’s Day. Whether you are treating your own mom, your grandmother, the mother of your children or another special woman in your life, you want her to feel loved and appreciated. Are you at a loss for gift ideas? What do moms really want?
Family time
If you ask a mom what she really wants for Mother’s Day, the number one answer is always spending time with her children. Share a meal, go to church as a family, go see a movie or do an activity Mom loves. Consider cooking or going out for dinner so that Mom can have a day off from working in the kitchen. A picnic at a park is also a great way to spend the afternoon together. If you can’t spend time in person, give Mom a call and ask her about something that interests her.
A day off
Moms work hard every day to manage and care for their households and families. Give Mom a day off. This could mean allowing her to sleep in or bringing her breakfast in bed. Make sure she doesn’t have to lift a finger or cook a meal all day. (Remember to clean up the kitchen for her afterward.) Many moms appreciate not having to discipline the kids, clean up the house or run errands on their special day. This is an easy and affordable way to make Mom feel happy and appreciated.
A rare treat
On Mother’s Day, why not give your mom something that she loves but rarely gets to do? This could be a spa day, a lunch date with a friend or a day to herself. Consider what the special mom in your life loves to do the most, and you make it happen. This could be anything from wearing pajamas all day while you watch movies to spending a night alone in a hotel or visiting a museum as a family.
Handmade gifts and affirming words
For many moms, their most treasured gifts are the handmade cards and gifts their children give them. Older children could write a note or poem, make a video or tell their mom why they love her and what they appreciate about her. At dinner, go around the table and give each family member a turn to voice appreciation and admiration for Mom. Words of affirmation and handmade items often mean more to a mom than expensive gifts.
Acts of service
My husband’s love language is acts of service. This is how he feels loved and also how he shows love to others. Some of the great ways he has shown he cares are washing my car inside and out, making dinner and cleaning it up, fixing things around the house, working with the kids on Mother’s Day to plant flowers and clean up the yard, bringing me my favorite coffee in the morning, putting gas in my car, having the kids clean their rooms and do their laundry, or taking on anything that needs attention around the house without complaint. Does the mom in your life show love with acts of service? Returning the favor can be a great way to show her that you care.
If you still aren’t sure what to get your loved one for Mother’s Day, why not try asking her what she really wants? Do your best to make her wish come true. Most importantly, let her know she is loved.
What KC Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day
We asked our readers, what they want for Mother's Day. These are their answers:
“Massage! A pedicure and manicure. A family meal prepared and cleaned up. What I used to tell them: ‘Flowers for the front, a clean house and obedient children!’” – Debbie Hardy, Olathe mom and grandma.
“Nothing that costs money. I would say just time with me.” – Jessica Schaben, mom of three.
“Laundry-free weekend!” – Krissa Kanger, mom of three.
“Every year my husband has the kids make me a handprint stepping stone for my garden outside. I absolutely love them, and it’s my favorite thing to look forward to … but I also would take a cruise!” – Emily Corder, Olathe mom of two.
“As my boys are older now, I want to spend time with each of them and do something they enjoy. Play a video game together, go for a baseball game, have lunch—really anything that allows us individual time and experiences.” – Sara Ziccardi, mom of two.
“As a mom with two grown and married children, I just want to share time with them. A text, call or visit tops my list of Mother’s Day gifts.” – Terri McCarville, mom and grandma.
“I don’t want to discipline anyone. Or clean up after anyone.” – Amy Cameron, Olathe mom of three.
“I love to get a hanging plant!” – Kim Burnett, Overland Park mom of two.
“A clean house and car!” – Sherrie Hoffman, Hiawatha, Kansas, mom of two.
“I want a flaker to make fresh oatmeal.” – Carrie Byrd, mom of three.
“Peace and quiet and a meal prepared by someone other than me.” – Anna Schuster, Olathe mom of five.
“A cleaning service to come clean my whole house—deep clean—or someone to come go through all of the clothes in between kids’ sizes.” – Kristin Hosking, mom of five.
“A cleaning service to help every other week. But honestly, I ask for 24 hours alone by myself.” – Kori Hoyt, mom of four.
Sarah Lyons is a mom of six children, including 9-year-old triplets. She lives in Olathe with her family.