Mother’s Day is right around the corner, this Sunday, May 8th! Being away from home for so long can make it easy to forget this special day. Not this year, though! For anyone who has a few minutes to spare, here are a few simple and heartfelt gift ideas to make your mom feel special on Mother’s Day, no matter how far away you are from home.
1. Breakfast in Bed via Skype:
If you were anything like I was as a kid, Mother’s Day was always the perfect opportunity to make a mess with a few pots and pans in the kitchen and (attempt to) make your mom a delicious breakfast in bed. Being away at college can make this tradition seem difficult or nearly impossible, but thanks to the power of modern technology, you can keep this tradition alive—minus the mess. Try to plan ahead with another family member who can do the cooking for you on their end and make your own meal so you and your mom can enjoy breakfast together. If there is a local food delivery service where your mom lives (i.e. GrubHub) you can even try to have her favorite breakfast/brunch meal delivered to her! Even if the meal isn’t homemade, you can still sit down and enjoy a delicious—albeit unconventional—Mother’s Day breakfast together.
2. Crafty Cards and Letters:
More than anyone, moms can appreciate the time and thought put into a homemade card—even if it does sound a little cliché. As easy as it may be to take a trip to Barnes & Noble or CVS, taking a few minutes to gather some construction paper/cardstock, scissors, and glue can truly make you Mother’s Day card one of a kind. It might seem a little childish to craft your own card, but to our moms, we’ll always at least partially be kids, so they will definitely appreciate the effort. Plus, crafting is fun! Check out these videos for a few ideas to get you started:
And if crafting isn’t really your thing, or you don’t have as much time as you’d like, there’s no shame in going to the store and picking out a card for your mom. Just make sure to include a personalized message/ letter inside to make this gift unique and special for her. It’s the thought that counts, after all!
3. Make a Photo Book:
If you’re at least slightly tech savvy and have about $15 to spare, creating a personalized photo book is the perfect idea for you. First of all, it’s something your mom won’t be expecting, as photo books aren’t a common gift. Secondly, with the help of your computer, it’s super easy to add custom messages and personalized photos to make this a gift your mom will love. And if she’s not really into photo books, calendars, personalized stationary and even customizable mugs and phone cases are all easy gifts to put together from the comfort of your own computer. Check out this website or any similar sites to get started!
4. Order a Fun Gift:
This might not seem that special or personal, but any gift can be unique and meaningful if enough thought is put into it! This is where it’s time to rack your brain for everything that you know your mom loves/needs. Think back to all those times you’ve spoken to her on the phone the past few weeks. What is her latest hobby or new passion?
-Is you mom a foodie?
-Is your mom made of coffee (like you are)?
-Has she recently gotten into plants/gardening?
-Maybe she really enjoys cats?
-Or does she just have a great sense of humor?
Whatever you pick out for you mom doesn’t need to be expensive or extravagant, as long as it’s something you know she’ll enjoy.
5. Plan for the Future:
Just because you’re away from home right now, doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead and put together the perfect Mother’s Day outing for when you get back. For now, let your mom know that you want to spend time with her and plan a day trip just for the two of you when you get back home. Depending on your budget, this can be anything from a picnic in the park, to brunch at her favorite restaurant or something more adventurous like a hike or kayaking trip. Make it even more fun by getting her in on the planning and think about something you would both love to do together. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up, do something fun and make new memories.
And if all else fails, just give her a call! Moms love nothing more than catching up. Taking some time to tell your mom how much she means to you and let her hear your voice can mean more than you might think. Now, go out there and give your mom the perfect Mother’s Day!