I will always remember when my mother planned something special for our family and none of us fully appreciated her efforts. In fact, we were far from grateful and my sister and I would argue, disobey, and storm out.
On the other hand, all Mom wanted was a photo. It was a way to forever record sweet moments with my babies that I knew I would never get back.
Like most things in life, I didn’t understand the value of the magic and memories my mom wanted to capture with her family until I became a mom. Now, I’m the person who ends up having a meltdown in the car when my perfectly planned fun family day is upended by missed naps, tantrums over snacks, and other unplanned childhood vices.
The constant efforts of motherhood
Such sadness often comes from the careful planning and tireless effort a mother puts into an event, when no one appreciates or celebrates the experience she wants to create.
However, this Mother’s Day, why not gift her an experience that will give her a rest and give her a break, giving her mind and heart a break? If you are willing to go the extra mile with your children, she can end the day with a refreshed body and a satisfied mind full of sweet memories.
Don’t know where to start? We’ve created a list of 12 experience-based Mother’s Day gifts that will inspire your creativity and help you create an unforgettable yet restful holiday for the special mom in your life.
1. Factory workshop
One of the local plant stores in my town offers monthly classes on things like how to grow your own herbs and build your own terrarium. If your special mom loves collecting plants or is an outdoor gardening guru, check with your local plant store or nursery to see if they have any special events going on.
If she wants to involve the kids, most plant stores that offer classes for adults also offer classes for kids. Every month, our plant store holds a “Kids Corner” where adults can also participate.
2. Cooking/Bread Class
Does your mom love spending her free time in the kitchen, cooking, baking, and trying new recipes? Consider enrolling her in a cooking or baking class so she can enjoy a unique experience while creating a recipe box.
Can’t find a cooking or baking class near you? Bring her education! Invite a close relative or friend to come over to your home one evening and host a free lesson where you share your family’s favorite recipes or special desserts. If you want to involve the kids, let them choose a recipe to try with mom. However, no matter what the mess, you will be responsible for cleaning up after it.
Remember, it’s not the money you spend that matters, but the memories you make with her.
3. Interacting with animals
I’m a mother of two in my 30s, and I still get excited when I go to the zoo. Zoos near us offer special giraffe and sloth encounters at affordable prices. If you are a mom who loves animals, you should definitely enjoy this opportunity.
I live in East Tennessee, where a lot of farms hold public events. One farm is offering a ‘Coffee with Highland Cows’ experience. There, a local coffee vendor will serve you a drink while you pet, take pictures with, and pet the Highland cows.
Get creative by checking out what your local zoo or commercial farm has to offer.
P.S. – Most of these experience-based offers are found by following the zoo or farm on their Facebook page. You can often get early access to exclusive tickets and events here.
4. Apply and take a sip
This is a classic, so whether or not the special mom in your life is a true artist, it’s therapeutic to grab a special drink, sit down with a blank canvas, and create something beautiful.
Whether you live in a big city or a small country town, paint and ship events are popular and easy to find. If your mom has a few close friends and you have the budget, consider buying enough tickets to take a few people with you.
Many of these places also offer classes for kids, so if you’re a mom and want to bring your little ones along, be sure to buy tickets for a kid’s class.
5. Pottery date
I usually want my husband to do most everything with me, unless I’m watching a show that I know he won’t find interesting. I like quiet time and enjoy quiet hobbies, but that doesn’t mean I always want to do these things alone.
Husbands, if it’s been a while since you and your wife had a date night, use this Mother’s Day as the perfect excuse to take her to a pottery class. A few months ago, my husband and I took a pottery class together for the first time and had a great time. Bonus points for getting to keep some of the pottery you made!
P.S. – Don’t forget to go the extra mile, like arranging a babysitter for your kids and reserving a table for dinner at your favorite restaurant.
6. Splurge at the bookstore
If your mom is a bookworm, give her a gift card to a local bookstore. But don’t let your gift end there. Drive her to the bookstore and let her browse the aisles for as long as she wants.
If the bookstore has a coffee shop or gift shop, be sure to buy her her favorite drink and take home a souvenir from the book.
I am an avid reader, but other than the Bible, I have never seen my husband read a single book in our eight years of marriage. So when he follows me around the bookstore all afternoon, I get the feeling that it’s not so much that the book is special, but that he’s doing the tear-jerking thing to make me feel seen and loved.
Again, it’s a memory, folks. And sometimes, the best memories come from sacrificing a little of yourself.
7. Museum tour
Is your mom a history expert? Does she have a favorite subject? I’m a hardcore Titanic and World War II geek, so my husband took me not only to the Titanic Museum, but also to a special aviation museum that has World War II airplanes on display and an air show featuring period aircraft.
Take the time to look for nearby museums that feature pieces of history or mom’s favorite themes. Buy her tickets and dinner and give her an unforgettable experience.
8. Concert tickets
Most moms (at least those with young children) insist on letting their kids listen to whatever they like, but buy them concert tickets so they can play their favorite songs.
Let her indulge in the music that brings her joy, whether it’s a small band at a nearby lawn concert or a big name artist at a huge arena a few hours away.
PS – go the extra mile and buy parking in advance so she doesn’t spend the night wearing heels and regretting it.
9. Spa day
This is an original so you won’t get any points for creativity, but you can’t go wrong with it as a good spa day gift for mom. Whether it’s a gift card for a pedicure or manicure, or a trip to a nearby massage therapist, ask her to give you just a few hours to take care of her body. Let her know that she deserves special treatment.
If you want your kids to join in on the fun, have them make a special little basket with nail polish to take to the salon or a new pair of comfy sweatpants to wear to your massage.
10. Photo session
A few years ago, I gifted my mom a Mommy+Me photo shoot with me, my sister, and my oldest son. What I love about this gift is that it’s an experience that will last a lifetime.
There are many photographers offering motherhood photoshoots around Mother’s Day, so booking a session shouldn’t be difficult.
Once you have your photo back, you can print it, frame it, or make it into a canvas.
11. Have your own day at home.
It may seem a little boring, but for busy (and tired) moms, enjoying some peaceful time alone at home is a great gift. For my birthday last year, part of my gift was that my husband took my oldest son out to play and let me binge-watch my favorite TV shows.
For about 3 hours, it was just me, a tub of ice cream, and one of my favorite shows. Truly, it’s one of my favorite birthday presents I’ve ever received.
Even something so basic can give the special mom in your life the rejuvenation and relaxation she needs to feel truly blessed and loved. Don’t ignore simple gestures. Especially if you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into them.
12.Flower bar ticket
Buy mom a flower bar ticket and add a special arrangement to her Mother’s Day flowers. A flower bar is an event hosted by a florist or botanical garden where guests are presented with fresh, pre-cut flowers and can create their own bouquets.
Once the flowers start to wilt, you can dry them and she can give them to you as a souvenir, so you get bonus points!
gift of motherhood
I just gave birth to my second son a few weeks ago, and right before my son’s debut, my husband bought me a “favorite gift” for my mom as a baby gift. I love the beautiful motherhood necklace he bought that perfectly represents both of my sons, but I told him that my best gift would be healthy, handsome sons.
We moms know that we already have the best Mother’s Day gift for our babies. We want to enjoy them and know that they are happy, healthy, and above all pursuing God in their daily lives.
So, if you’re on a tight budget or don’t have time to create a special Mother’s Day gift, why not factor in a special phone call, handwritten note, or a surprise dinner to thank her for being a mom? Make a list of your favorite memories she made for you, or create a poem centered around what you love about her.
Remember that motherhood is a real gift. So don’t be afraid to let her know that motherhood is where she shines the most.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/skynesher
Peyton Garland is a writer, editor, and mom of a boy who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. For more encouragement, subscribe to her blog Uncured+OK.
