We love our moms. As kids, we showed them our love and appreciation with Mother’s Day presents of macaroni necklaces, badly painted handprint cards, and glue-drenched disasters proudly presented as popsicle-stick picture frames.
A gift like that might still make Mom laugh, but we can certainly do better. Instead of yet another crystal vase that will just sit around collecting dust, give her a gift of experience. With so many ideas and options to choose from, you’re bound to find a gift of experience that’s perfect for Mom.
Mother’s Day Gifts of Experience for Mom
Depending on Mom’s age, ability, and mobility, a gift of experience can be as easygoing as a picnic in the park, or a little more adventurous and exciting, like a hot-air balloon ride. Other options can be:
- Movie-style makeover
Everyone loves a good movie makeover. We also know that looking good boosts your confidence and self-esteem and improves social interactions, all of which have positive effects on your health and well-being.
So take Mom to the salon to update and refresh her hairstyle — a different cut, maybe a new color. Hit the stores for a pretty new outfit and bring Mom’s real-life montage to a satisfying end with some new makeup.
Remember to take lots of pictures and video clips of Mom’s makeover. You can edit them into a ‘Mom’s Movie-style Makeover’ vlog with music and fun effects, that she can watch and share and watch again.
Siblings can split the day, each treating Mom to one part of a bigger experience. One of you can take her to the salon, another can take her shopping, and a third can take her, dressed to the nines, to a delicious meal at a fancy restaurant.
- Spa day
Or better yet, spa weekend. At-home spa treatments and services are popular, but going away to the spa can bring a much-needed change of scenery. The spa may also have specialty equipment on site for treatments that can’t be done on a home visit.
Many spa treatments, such as massage and reflexology, help relieve muscle pain and reduce inflammation in the joints. A spa session can also improve blood circulation and aid in treating insomnia.
Respite Care for Mom’s Carers. They Need a Break Too.
Looking after an elderly or ill parent can be exhausting for adult children doing most of the care work, especially when they must also juggle the responsibilities of jobs and their own families.
Respite care can be a wonderful help during difficult times. Respite care providers are trained professionals who can give the primary caregiver a break lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days.
If you’re unsure of where to look, you can ask your local healthcare center or senior care facility for guidance. Your or your parent’s primary care physician can provide contact information for respite carers and organizations in your area.
- Craft or hobby class
Now that the kids are all grown up, Mom may have decided to reconnect with an old hobby, or picked up a new one. It could be sewing, or sculpting, or being an InstaGrandma. Sign the two of you up for a class relevant to her interests and spend a fun day learning new things together.
You can also introduce Mom to a new pastime. Check with your nearest senior center to see what interesting classes or group activities they offer, especially those involving some amount of physical exercise.
Senior adults often lose touch with friends and family for a variety of reasons, causing their social circle to shrink. This can have extremely negative effects on their health and mental well-being. Joining a class helps them meet new people and make new friends as they bond with others over a shared experience.
- Walk down memory lane
If Mom is too frail to do little more than sit and smile, put together a small box of items that hold special meaning for her. These items could be a photograph, a cherished keepsake, a piece of specialty cheese she ate years ago on holiday in France, or a Christmas ornament handmade by four-year-old you. As she goes through the collection, the items may spark a memory and her enthusiasm to tell you the story behind it.
For a 3-in-1 present that sparks a memory, serves as an activity, and can be kept as a memento, turn Mom’s favorite photograph into a jigsaw puzzle. This is especially helpful in combating mental degeneration as research shows that jigsaw puzzles may help improve motor skills and cognitive abilities in aging seniors.
The Best Gift for Mom is Most Probably You
A well-chosen Mother’s Day present will certainly make Mom happy, but in her eyes, the real gift might just be your company and the time you give her. Even if you can spend only a couple of hours because you have other responsibilities, make it meaningful, quality time so that Mom feels loved, appreciated, and cherished. After all, that’s what Mother’s Day is all about.