Last-Minute Mother's Day Shopping Guide

Most of us have all been there—that situation where, in 24 short hours, we know that getting a gift for our loved one is not a “maybe”…

It’s a must!

Moreover, if we show up empty-handed, it will be devastating. Perhaps not for the receiver but for us.

On Mother’s Day especially, we want to shower mom (or grandmom) with gifts galore. I used to make creative gifts for my mom as a child and even into adulthood, from portrait paintings to framed poetry to little books written and illustrated by yours truly.  I would buy cute or thoughtful items like plush animals or pens as well.

Often, I would be awake all night working to complete my creative gift. You see, we will work overtime for those we love. Truly I labored with a smile on my face!

What I did not enjoy, however, was the planning phase. Oh, what a great deal of time it took trying to figure out what the perfect gifts would be!

Maybe you’re in a last-minute shopping situation this Mother’s Day. Or maybe you could use another gift idea for mom. Either way, here is your Last-Minute Mother’s Day Shopping Guide!

1.      Small Photo Album: Buy a flip photo album, perhaps from a store like Wal-Mart. Then choose 20 photos from your phone to print (I like Wal-Green’s for same-day photo prints). Finally, load that album in a lovely way—and you’re done! Photos hold memories that last a lifetime, so mom will cherish the album forever.

2.      Painting: What does mom love? Paint that! You decide how elaborate you would like to paint. I like acrylic paint because it looks professional and dries fast! Consider painting mom’s favorite pet, or a picture of her surrounded by a beautiful background of flowers. You will need (1) a paper plate or palette (2) a small blank canvas, sized so you can finish in one night (3) a cup for water and (4) paper towels to quickly wipe up any mistakes. If you have general knowledge of painting, this gift idea will likely go well for you and be a hit!

3.      Beauty Basket: This idea may sound cliché, but the key to uniqueness is what you add! What does mom like? Flowers? Body mist? Cozy socks? Does she desire more practical items like body wash, face wash, or toothpaste? Would she benefit from fitness classes? Think about your mom’s personality and build your basket accordingly. Keep it stress-free with 3-5 items and some fancy ribbon. Done.

4.      Dinner and a Show: If mom enjoys quality time with you (hopefully yes!), take her to a movie or play that she would enjoy. Depending on the show time, think of a fun spot for lunch or dinner as well. Consider your budget: if you are on a tight budget, a matinee movie and lunch from a place like Chipotle or Panera Bread might be best. If you have more capital, consider taking her to see a play like Michael and then to a restaurant like Cheesecake Factory. At the end of the day, spending time together will be time well-spent no matter where you are. Be sure to set the stage for a memorable Mother’s Day outing.

5.      Personal Maid/Butler Service: If mom is constantly working or taking care of others, what may sound most appealing to her is simply a break—a real break, where she doesn’t cook, chauffer, clean, organize, or plan anything except planning to relax! Turn the tables for one day: you cook or order food. Be her personal taxi to a relaxing spot like the park where she can just sit down and smell the flowers. Make sure that any cleaning tasks are done for her (whether you hire someone or do it yourself). Give mom a day of relaxation and recreation, and I can assure you she will never forget that day.

Conclusion

Life is nonstop, and we don’t always plan our gift-giving in advance. It doesn’t mean we don’t care about the receiver (e.g., mom), but rather that we need to extend grace to ourselves as Jesus does and make sure we come through for mom in the fourth quarter. All these gifts are manageable on a budget and can be either created, bought, or completed in one day.

So zero excuses—go and make this Mother’s Day special for mom!