Happy Sunday! In preparation for Mother’s Day next weekend, I have decided to forgo the usual lists (just this once) that include anything fashionable and probably want for myself – the clothing, those shoes, that handbag and tried to create the Unexpected Mother’s Day Gift List. As I think about all the ways I would want my son to appreciate me on Mother’s Day now and as he grows up, I thought long and hard about what I would really want. Perhaps, you will find a golden nugget of wisdom in this list that inspires you to think outside of the box and focus on the now.
1. Spend the day getting to know her better over brunch or dinner. (You really don’t know it all!) Think of a few questions you’ve always wanted to ask her but have yet to do so. Let her know that her younger self and herstory matters to you.
2. Send a few of your most favorite pictures of her (past or present) and list the reasons of what you love about how she looks in each of those pictures and why that memory is special to you.
3. If fashion is your thing, play dress up by helping her journey through her closet to organize and revisit clothing she forgot she had. Tell her what she looks good in!
4. Write her a letter-not just a card-and use pretty stationary! Whether it’s to apologize for something she never knew you did (oh boy!), to tell her something she doesn’t know about you (remember that time…), or to help her understand you better than she already does.
5. Take her to your favorite childhood place and share the memories of what it meant for you to be there with her. (Hoping it’s still there!)
6. Dance with her to her favorite music. The kind of dancing that gets funny and silly and makes you breathe out of control.
7. Take a cooking class with her. And if she thinks she knows how to cook everything, trying to cook a new cuisine might give her a bit of a fun challenge.
8. Make a public declaration of your love and appreciation for her and all that she has done for you over the years on FB, IG, Twitter, etc. Send a different message on each.
9. If she’s not tech savvy (making #8 unrelatable), then dedicate time to teach her how to be. Get her connected!
10. Just listen to her. Tell her you love her. Always.
And if all else fails, buy something. (I kid. Sort of.) Go ahead, you know you want to. But don’t ever lose sight that every single day of your life was witnessed by her love and hard work for you.
Thank you for reading!
xoxo, Jessica
I loved reading through this list. Activities are so special because the memories last much longer than a tangible gift.
Best,
Monica
Author
Thank you Monica! I agree that time and experiences last in the long run! xoxo, Jessica
Thanks for such a thoughtful post. I wholeheartedly wish I could’ve done some of these things with my mom… This will be my first Mother’s Day without my mom but I hope to honor her by spending the day with my precious Kiley and making her smile from above.
Author
Kookie, I know it will be hard for you, but you have a great heart and will do it in the best way with Kiley! Love to you both! xoxo, Jessica
This is very cute Jess, great post. I don’t think I want to go with number 1 (as a daughter) I think I like not knowing it all haha! My Mum would love a letter though, definitely something to remember in the lead up to Mother’s Day, thanks! I have just recently posted some activities to do on Mother’s Day maybe the two together would make the PERFECT Mother’s Day? If that is possible haha. Kate, Wondrous x
Author
Kate, I hear you. Sometimes too much info is well…just too much! ha! Thanks for the visit and comment! xoxo, Jessica
I love this! It’s not always about buying presents (although who doesn’t love a surprise gift!) but spending quality time with your mother really is all she wants sometimes <3
Author
Hana, I agree. Sometimes I get all stressed about buying something, when sometimes I just need to take time to realize there so many opportunities to celebrate her in other ways. xoxo ,Jessica
Really enjoyed reading the unexpected twist.
Author
Thank you Hilda! xoxo, Jessica