Posted by Rachel Ornstein Packer on May.06, 2010

©iStockPhoto.com - _Ellie_

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and we all want to find the perfect gift that is just the right combination of unique and meaningful. Read on for some new twists on mother’s day gifts that truly embrace the unique gift giving spirit.

Support a Cause

We are all activists in our own right. We advocate for causes that are near and dear to us to help make the world a better place. The months of May and June are typically race/walks/bike rides for a cause. What better way to show your support and understanding of what your mother believes in than to join her. Here’s how you can do this from the standard to the more unique:

• Donations in honor or memory of someone never go out of style.
• Join your mother in her crusade. Walk the walk, ride the ride, or run the run with her.
• If you can’t join her in the physical activity, then create a shirt, hat, or banner that uniquely defines your mother’s altruism, so that you can be there supporting her in spirit.
• Host a pre-brunch fundraiser. Invite friends and family to a brunch and ask that they make a donation in the amount that they would have ordinarily paid if they had gone out for breakfast.
• ProFlowers.com offers a 10% donation to the Susan Komen Race for the Cure. Look for the Pink Ribbon Collection.

Personalized Gifts

Here are some personalized/whimsical gifts that convert the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Personalized Flowers

Flowers are the gold standard on Mother’s Day, but, for a striking visual effect, you can send a bouquet of embossed roses from Speaking Roses with images or photos of your family, children, and grand-children on the flower petals. If you are not comfortable with photos, you can also print inspirational messages. Each family member can create his or her own special message. This makes the average gift something special.

Personalized Ice Cream

This is a fun twist on a “cool” product. Ecreamery is an online custom ice cream company where you get to choose your own flavors, mix-ins, packaging and name. Make it sweet or make it savory, according to them, “you rule the scoop.” It does come with a hefty price tag, however. $49.99 will get your four pints (1/2 gallon) of ice cream. They do have a sampler Mother’s Day pack for $39.99. Allow 5-7 days for delivery. Just as a note to those with food allergies, this product is made on equipment that processes nuts and eggs.

Video Fridge Magnet

This gift from Curiosite.com puts your voice and face on a magnet when a regular note just won’t do. This is ideal for those moms who may have to travel and want to leave a message for the family. It’s also a great way to remind your family about important events. It’s fun and purposeful and it cuts down on paper. Just turn it on, press record and look into the camera! The magnet on the back allows you to stick it on any metallic surface.

For the New Mom

My first mother’s day cemented the fact that life was truly different. While I enjoyed my new role, I wistfully thought of my carefree life usually during late night feedings, when I felt like I was the only one awake on the planet. My girlfriend gave me a videotape with four hours of the Carol Burnett show (my all time favorite comedy show of my childhood) to watch during late night colic/feedings. Thoughtfulness doesn’t have to cost a lot and I was forever grateful.

Music

In the spirit of reminding this person who she was before she started listening to nothing but lullaby and children’s music, here is a great opportunity. Compile a list of this mom’s favorite music, and download it onto her existing iPod or a new one. If you are looking for a great deal on iPods, go to Overstock.com.

Dinner of the Month Club Membership

For $23.95 per month for three months, you can send your new mom delicious Italian-themed dinners from Amazingclubs.com along with a newsletter and recipe ideas. It certainly can take the pressure off those first few months. It’s the gift that keeps on giving (for at least three months).

For the Urban Dweller: Plant a window box

Imagine her surprise when she sees a colorful array of flowers right outside her window. I always loved looking at these little splashes of color outside people’s windows when I lived in Manhattan. This is a great idea for those living in apartments or even condos without decks. If you don’t know how to plant a window box, check out these two sites, videojug.com or gardenguides.com. They provide clear, step by step instructions right down to the installation.

Inexpensive Hand Made Themed Gifts

Create a themed gift that embraces a mom’s passion whether it’s gardening, cooking, baking, music, writing, photography. Themed gifts don’t have to cost a lot and it gives you creative license. Here is an example of a unique themed gift.

For the Baker and/or Cook

Fill a mason jar with the dry ingredients of your favorite cookie recipe, or one that you feel a master baker mom would enjoy. Place a whimsical piece of fabric around the cap and secure it with a gold rubber band or decorative ribbon. Print out the recipe on a 4×6 index card and place it in a decorative recipe box. You can make this gift as elaborate or as basic as you want. Include a recipe book, or a new baking gadget.

If they like to cook with unusual items, collect a unique combination of walnut, truffle, sesame, and/or coconut, oils. Perhaps they are trying to eliminate processed sugar, you can create a package that includes, agave nectar, honey, sucanat, date sugar, brown rice syrup, along with some unusual recipes that incorporate those items as well.

Gifts for Kids to Make

Things I Love About Mom. Here is a gift that kids of any age can handle. Give your child a small box. It can be wood like the ones that are sold in a craft store (ranging from $1.00 and up), or just a standard cardboard, and/or shoebox, or even an empty jar. Decorate the box/jar with beads, buttons, rhinestones, letters, paint, the options are endless. When they are finished decorating, give them small strips of paper, in which they can write all the things they love about mom. You can assign 10 strips or 365, so mom has a note to make her feel good every day of the year.

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Posted under About Mom, Family.