Unique times call for unique measures.
For the mamas of the world, Mother’s Day is often filled with family and tradition, whether it is attending Mass, brunch, dinners, BBQ’s or outdoor activities. With social distancing in full effect, families are re-evaluating how to celebrate big holidays. If you are feeling a little lost on what to do for the mothers in your life this year, we have compiled a list of some unique experiences to give her.
Here are 15 ways to make this Mother’s Day a day to remember:
1. Support local businesses
With the economy affecting small businesses, show your support by purchasing a Mother’s Day gift from a local shop. Surprise her with a curbside pick-up from her favorite donut/cupcake place; hand-made herbal soaps, body butter or essential oil blends from a local vendor; handcrafted jewelry or find her a meaningful gift on Etsy.
2. Make her a playlist
With many households feeling the effects of a changing economy, turn to budget-friendly options like creating a Spotify playlist of her favorite songs for a kitchen dance party, or a download a couple of meditations to help her de-stress and find her calm.
3. Support her hobbies
With more time at home, the mama in your life may have more time to start that hobby she has always wanted to do. Maybe she desires to learn to knit, to garden or do yoga. Surprise her with tools to help inspire and support her interests.
4. Send her to the “spa”
Turn your home into a zen den. Offer relaxing music while giving her time for a hot bath (maybe add essential oils, candles, and Epsom Salt), paint her nails, make your own body scrubs, or give her a facial with a DIY mask and cucumber eyes!
5. Give her alone time
Offer quiet time to read that book she has been meaning to get to, or for a nap, a meditation session, or to do her favorite virtual exercise class. Invite her to gather her friends and grab her a ticket for a quarantine book club, which lets her connect with some of her favorite authors online.
6. Make something from the heart
They say some of the best gifts are home-made gifts that speak to the heart. Make a candle, a memory book filled with family pictures, a handwritten card, painted hand/footprints from the kiddos, or create a quarantine capsule.
7. Fill her love jar
Quite literally. On small pieces of paper, write statements that start with “What I love about you is …” and put them in a jar. Have her pull one love note a day, or anytime she wants a little extra connection.
8. Ask her on a nature date
Nature is one of the most beautiful gifts, and the best part, it’s free! Plan a picnic, go on a nature walk, play in the garden or create a nature scavenger hunt that engages all 5 senses.
9. Serenade her
Music has a way to nurture the soul. Arrange for a 10-15 minute Guitarist Video Call to play her favorite songs. Or even better, gather your own instruments (even if that means the pots and the pans) and play some tunes.
10. Cook for her
Surprise her with breakfast in bed, or cook her favorite meal. Or maybe, if the mama in your life enjoys cooking, ask to join her, cook together, and eat a family-style dinner.
11. Give her a brunch date with the ladies
Coordinate a few of her mama besties for a virtual brunch date. She can get in her girl's time and connect all from the comfort of her home!
How to connect to moms outside of your home
12. Send a care basket
Build a care basket of her favorite goodies and drop it off at her door, or send a premade one her way.
13. Attend a virtual mass
Some family traditions include going to Mass on Mother’s Day. Join in on a virtual mass or plan a call and lead your own!
14. Honor social distancing
If the mom in your life lives close, surprise her by showing up to play an “outdoor concert” in her yard, drive-by with a handmade Mother’s Day sign for her very own Mother’s Day parade, or suggest that you both sit near a window (her inside the house and you outside) and have a phone chat with only the glass to separate you.
15. Go digital
We are blessed in a time of abundant virtual platforms, which makes connecting with those outside of the home much more accessible. Plan a video chat using Facetime, Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts to visit with family. If your kiddos are quick to lose interest, here are some ideas:
Use filters
Send a Mother’s Day gift and have her open it during the virtual chat
Read a book or do an art project as a family during the video chat
Host a virtual family dinner
Use SnuggleBuddies or PeaceMakers cards to share feelings and connect
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