Before we had kids, our dog, Daisy would send me a Mother’s Day bouquet at work. It usually came during a staff meeting (well done, Frank!) and the real mothers in the group were always a bit jealous. I never understood this until having human children. There’s definitely a difference. This year will be my first year of receiving a handmade gift. (Bea is having the hardest time keeping it a secret!) As our family has grown, the gift of time seems more and more appealing. Clearly, each year is different.
Before I start, let me say: I love fresh flowers and brunch so I’m definitely not knocking traditional Mother’s Day gifts. But, if you’ve procrastinated or just need some filler ideas, I have a few suggestions.
Fair Trade Friday
If your mom loves jewelry, Fair Trade Friday offers several monthly club options – from earrings and bracelets to a full box of goodies. Each item is handmade by women in vulnerable areas of our world. Each artisan receives a fair price for her product, giving her the resources and skills to become more independent. I’ve received both a box and earrings and love the unique quality they offer.
The Mom Quilt
Over 60 moms contributed essays to this collection (including me!) It’s filled with a wide range of experiences and realizations. Compassionate, funny, and honest, the moms who have shared have done so from their current experiences, which makes this book encouraging for moms of all walks. Plus, all proceeds go to Mercy House Kenya, the same organization behind Fair Trade Friday. Mercy House equips young mothers with health education as well as job training.
Loving My Actual Life
My friend, Alex just wrote a book about loving the life we’re in right now. Whether or not you’re a mom, this book resonates with finding peace in our experiences. But, since Alex is a mom of four, this book will especially resonate with mothers who are in the mode of day-to-day and may need encouragement to step back and love their own messy, actual life.
The Mother Letters
I just started this one, so can’t give it a full review. But, so far? These honest pieces of advice could be just the encouragement a mom in the midst of raising kids needs.
Give a Donation
Mercy House Global has compiled a list of organizations at sheispriceless.org that help empower mothers, specifically. Tuesday, May 10 is Global Giving Day, and they are encouraging women to wear pearls as a reminder of healed wounds. For the mom who has everything, empowering another mom may be the best gift.
If you’re a mom, what’s your favorite type of Mother’s Day gift? What’s a favorite gift you’ve given to your mom?