Mother's Day Gift Guide 2020
Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Mamas deserve to be celebrated every year- and even more so this year. Moms have been restructuring and pivoting, all the while comforting her family and dealing with her own worries and fears. Moms are now working from home, homeschooling, isolated from her friends and extended family, in the throes of having a newborn, wiping the tears from disappointed teenagers, and missing her child’s graduation. Being a mom isn’t easy- and being one during a pandemic means Mother’s Day 2020 needs to be EXTRA special!!
To get started, we need to center ourselves, take a deep breath, and really focus on our loved ones. Let’s say the person you want to honor most is the mother of your children. What makes her a great Momma? What lengths have she gone through to contribute to your family? Think about even the smallest things like researching, planning, shopping, and cooking healthy meals to nourish those little babes. The way that she carefully brushes your little guy’s teeth. How she sings lullabies to your little girl even though it’s way off-key. Maybe the sun was shining this afternoon, so she raced your little men down the sidewalk. It is the smallest moments in everyday life that make the moms in our life so special.
So how can we celebrate her? How can say thank you?
When we buy gifts, we always like to consider who we are buying for. What would truly make them feel special and loved? We often turn to “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman when we’re trying to find a meaningful gift for the people in our lives. We also use Love Languages for our Indiana Birth & Parenting Gift Guides!
We rounded up our favorite ideas for all five categories…something for all of the special moms in your life.
“words of affirmation”
Handwrite a letter describing specific details about how your loved one is a good mother, wife, or partner
Take some candid photos without her knowing and have them printed. You and the kiddos can put them in an album or even in a card with handwritten notes about each one.
A super cute coffee mug with words of encouragement on it paired with a journal and a cozy blanket. You could even be an overachiever and grab her a new book- you can’t go wrong with inspirational biographies, autobiographies, and self-improvement.
“acts of service”
You guessed it- Breakfast in bed! Let your loved one sleep in and then surprise her with breakfast. Cooking isn’t your specialty? You and the littles can grab take out and plate it before she wakes up. Even donuts will work for this occasion. Whatever you do—clean the kitchen up afterwards.
Think about some of the daily chores she gets done. And do them before she even has a chance. Even the simple gesture of recognizing the household things that are important to her will win her over.
Head to a local farmers market on Saturday and grab a couple bunches of flowers. Take the time to grab a vase trim the stems to create your own bouquet with the kids to surprise her!
“receiving gifts”
Tangible gifts might be her fave so think of things that you know she wants but has a hard time buying for herself. You can never go wrong with a new pair of shoes, a bottle of perfume, or a trendy shirt. You’ve really got to focus on her interests for this one. And keep in mind the planning and effort you put into the gift means just as much to the receiver than the actual gift. And, she will also be forgiving if anything you ordered is late because of delayed shipping due to COVID.
Maybe she LOVES gifts, but is kind of particular…aka picky. Google her favorite Starbucks drink, gather all the ingredients along with a new mug, and recreate it at home! Then as stores open back up, send her off to TJMaxx or Target with a giftcard or instructions to buy something that will fill her cup.
Gifts do not have to be fancy or expensive. Pick out a meaningful picture with your special girl and the babes. Do a curbside pickup with a trendy frame- and grab a small plant container or succulent from your local garden shop on the way home while you’re out.
“quality time”
Have you heard, “I want a veggie garden” from your partner a time or two? Now is the perfect time to plant one! Find out what she wants to grow, research how to do it, place an order with a local grower or even Home Depot, and surprise her with the supplies on Sunday. You can build and plant your home garden as a family! People with this love language might plant more than they need because they want to share with neighbors and people they care for.
Pack a picnic lunch and load up a bag. Hop on your bikes or get the stroller ready and head to the Monon (for Indy locals), bike trails or a park for some family time, bike riding, a picnic, fresh air, and social distancing.
We will be staying home a lot this summer, so what’s better than outdoor movie entertainment?! Projectors and screens are available at several price points- you can even use a white sheet as a screen. This is a gift for the whole family that will keep on giving for many years to come.
“physical touch”
Really take the time to hold her hand, give meaningful hugs, or a back rub….you know, without any expectations for yourself afterwards.
A pre-planned appointment or gift card for a massage or a mani/pedi once spas are open and it’s safe to do so.
Depending on the age of your kids, you can set up a home spa for mom! Special hair conditioning, a blowout and a mani/pedi. Replenish her favorite luxury skin care products…or splurge on the one thing she’s had her eye on but won’t buy for herself.
Whatever you do, take the time to recognize the #supermoms in your life. Even if that means making a handwritten card with construction paper and crayons or just using words to tell them how special they are. Don’t let this day pass you by without telling the women in your life what they mean to you whether that is a sister, friend, teacher, aunt, someone longing to be a mother, your mother, or the mother of your children. This day is for all of the people that help shape young lives into beautiful and kind human beings. We HAVE to be an example for our children of how to show love and appreciation for women in their lives.
