Mother’s Day seems to sneak up every year, leaving many people scrambling for last minute ideas of gifts for mom. One quick search on the Internet and you will find a multitude of lists for the best gifts to buy. But what do moms really want on Mother’s Day? Is buying her a necklace or a new coffee maker the only way to show you how much she means to you? Here are some unique ways you can show mom how much you appreciate her this Mother’s Day.

1. Homemade Handprint Ornament or Other Homemade Crafts

Every mother has a portfolio of their child’s artwork somewhere in the house. There’s a reason! There is nothing more special or beautiful to a mother than something her child has created themselves. One great gift idea is to make ornaments out of your child’s handprints. It’s simple, easy and will last a lifetime. The ingredients to make the dough can be found in your pantry and it takes less than an hour to make. Another unique idea is to make a homemade body scrub for mom to pamper herself with. Body scrubs are made with sugar, coconut oil, and any other essential oil of your choice. To add a decorative aspect you can sprinkle dried lavender or rose petals on top. Put it on a simple mason jar and you’re ready to go!

2. Have a Picnic or a Movie Night

Quality time is the best gift you can give to any mother. The day-to-day business of life can get in the way of appreciating your children while they’re still young. Moms have a lot on their plates to worry about and don’t often take the time to sit back and enjoy life. A really fun and special way you can celebrate this Mother’s Day is planning a picnic or barbecue with friends and family. Alternatively, you can plan a trip to the movies or have a relaxing at-home movie night. Whatever you choose to do, make sure mom is relaxing and having fun and not doing any of the work. Take a lot of pictures and make a photo album of the day for mom to look back at as an additional gift.

3. Breakfast in Bed

Any mother will tell you that breakfast in bed is a surefire way to show your appreciation. Moms are always making sure everyone else is taken care of before they do anything for themselves. Start Mother’s Day off by cooking her a nice breakfast and getting her coffee ready before she gets the chance to get out of bed. Let her relax in the morning and not worry about what the kids will eat or how much she has to do. An easy breakfast-in-bed idea is french toast or pancakes. Both of these breakfast foods are easy to make and the kids can help along. Pair it with a hot cup of coffee and some fresh fruit to really make her morning. This is the perfect time to give her some flowers and a nice card. However you slice it, keep it simple and you can’t go wrong.

4. Clean the House

After making a mess in the kitchen to cook her breakfast, make sure to clean it all up. In fact, do all the cleaning that day. Give mom a real break from all responsibilities and pick up all her daily chores. Whether you do the laundry or clean the counters, let mom sit on the couch and read a book or sip on a glass of wine while you handle the rest. Motherhood is more than cleaning up after kids but that sure is a big part of it. Have the kids, if they’re old enough, pick up an extra chore and make it a fun day cleaning up for mom. This may seem like a simple act but it will really show mom that you see how hard she works everyday and that you appreciate all she does.

5. Donating to Mothers in Need

Not every mother will get to spend Mother’s Day being pampered by family. There are a wide variety of charities that have special events to give back on Mother’s Day. You can take the time to donate to a local women’s shelter or donate money to the charity of your choice. A great charity made specifically for this day is Mother’s Day Movement. Mother’s Day Movement was founded by a group of mothers who felt that the $20 billion spent annually on Mother’s Day for flowers and gifts could be going to a better cause that actually helped real women and mothers in need. Every year they accept donations in replacement of typical Mother’s Day gifts to give to a different cause. This year they are giving donations to Edesia’s mission to help end childhood malnutrition around the world.

Alternately, you can spend the day picking out clothes you no longer use or buying basic essentials to donate to a local women’s shelter. This is a great opportunity to spend time with your kids and show them that all mothers deserve love and appreciation on this holiday and everyday.

Mother’s Day is a day of celebration and reverence for all mothers. Motherhood comes from the heart and the love that a mother has is unparalleled. It’s important that we celebrate motherhood in all its forms, whether you are an adoptive mother, a mother who has placed her baby in adoption, a mother who has lost her baby, or a mother who has struggled to conceive. We honor all mothers on this day and everyday.

Adoption Choices of Nevada

If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of Nevada. You may visit the website here or contact us by 775-825-4673 (Reno Office) or 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas Office). Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm PST.

Make an Impact

Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.

However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.

About the Author

Devon Thornton is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. She has recently moved from Orlando, FL to Clarksville, TN, and is pursuing her writing career with Adoption Choices and also writing personal essays in her free time. Devon is an avid reader and a big Harry Potter fan.

When she’s not curled up reading a book, you can find her somewhere on a hike or a camping trip. She loves her cat, Minerva, and considers herself a true animal lover. She hopes one day to publish a book of essays and to maybe meet J.K. Rowling.

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Sources

“2019: Edesia Nutrition.” Mothers’ Day Movement, www.mothersdaymovement.org/2019-edesia-nutrition.

“5 Fantastic Ways To Celebrate Mother’s Day.” Momtastic, 9 Sept. 2013, www.momtastic.com/parenting/172611-5-fantastic-ways-to-celebrate-mothers-day/.

Churchill, Alexandra. “30 Of Our Best Handmade Mother’s Day Gifts.” Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2019, www.marthastewart.com/1145575/best-DIY-mothers-day-gifts?slide=4101967.