Great Chitter Chatter - Stories from Loud Voices

A gift for Mom!  What an exciting and fun present to buy, because you really want this woman to know what she means to you!  You can be frustrated, though, if the lady you’re buying for is picky about size, color, style, scent, and so forth.  Just remember, though, that the gift you choose reflects how you see her.  In other words, if you buy her an ironing board, she’ll think you see her as a maid!To really show the mothers in your life how much they mean to you, choose from this variety of great ideas in a variety of price ranges that will put a smile on their faces!

1.    Mother’s jewelry – Personalized jewelry represents a time-honored tradition for making your mother or wife feel very special.  You can choose from any kind of jewelry—rings, necklaces, pendants, pins, bracelets.  Often several brothers and sisters can pool their money in order to afford something special, and each person’s birthstone represents that effort.  Mother’s jewelry is an ultimate celebration of a woman’s motherhood, no matter what else she does in life.  Grandmother’s jewelry serves this same important purpose!  The price ranges vary depending on whether you buy sterling silver or 18k or 14k or 10k gold, or real versus simulated gemstones.  If you are buying a mother’s ring check with the retailer to see if the size can be adjusted after purchase. With so many options to choose from, you can fit your selection to your budget!

2.    Spa visit – No matter how young or old your mother or wife is, everybody enjoys a spa treatment!  Some women long for a full-body massage or hot stone treatment at a luxurious day spa.  Other women are a little squeamish about having someone else’s hands on their bodies, and if your mother is like that she’ll enjoy a manicure and maybe a pedicure.  That makes this another type of gift that you can adjust according to your available funds.  You just buy a spa certificate for the amount you can afford and let her choose her own services.Look in the phone book or on the web for spas and salons in your area!

3.    Maid Day – What better way to show her she is definitely not just the maid than purchasing her services from a cleaning lady?  Contact a local cleaning service to buy a day or half day of cleaning.You could have the cleaning service tackle that job she’s avoided or dreaded forever.  Or you can purchase recurrent general services in your home one day a month, or one-half day a week—whatever fits your budget!  This is another service you can look for online, but again make certain the vendor services your local area. 

4.    Gift of Time – This is perfect, especially for kids, because it is a gift of consideration and love.And the best part is it’s inexpensive.You can find many great certifcate programs online.It’s as easy as filling in the service you’re offering and the name of the person who’s receiving the gift and then printing it out.  If you have money to spend, you can print the certificate to represent something that’s prepaid, such as babysitting services.  If you don’t have money, just be certain you’re prepared to fulfill the terms you have promised!

5.    Movie tickets – Everyone likes to go to the movies!  Some people only go once or twice a year, and some would go every week if they could.Most theater chains offer a number of gift certificate options to fit your budget.Or, if you’re budgets a bit larger, add a restaurant gift certificate.Let her know that it’s up to her whether she goes on her own, chooses a friend or … you!

Remember that whoever this woman is in your life, whether she is the mother of your children, or if she is your mother or grandmother, she has put a lot of energy into making your life special and easier.This is a chance to show her how special she is to you.  Whether you buy her mother’s jewelry or a give her a promise to help out with a dreaded task, she will appreciate your thoughtfulness. When you give her your present, don’t forget to say or write the words, “I love you.”