Mothers' Day Tips

Mothers' Day is almost here (May 12), and it's never too early to start planning a special something for that amazing woman or women in your life.  Mothers comes in all shapes and sizes.  There are biological moms, adopted, foster, in-laws, step-moms, and women who just stepped in to love and care for someone. Whoever she is, she deserves to know and feel how loved she is, not just on one day out of the year, but everyday.  Still, there is this one day reserved just for moms, so here are some tips to help you plan a wonderful mothers' day.

1. Start now.  Whatever you're planning, you need to start right now. Make reservations at her favorite restaurant now. If they don't accept reservations this early, ask them when they will start accepting reservations and don't forget to call. Buy your gifts as early as possible.

2. Buy flowers a day or two ahead of Mother's Day. Flowers can be tricky. Their prices shoot sky high on Mothers' Day, and the selection is minimal and dismal because everyone else is buying the flowers. So buy flowers a day or two ahead of Mother's Day but remember this:

• Buy closed blooms. They will open in time for Mother's Day. If they don't, don't force them open.  They will bloom beautifully wherever Mom places them (home, office, etc) and she can enjoy them longer. 
• If you insist on having open blooms, blow on the petals lightly. It will encourage them to open without damaging them.
• Keep them in a nicely watered vase placed in a nicely lit spot where Mom won't see them (like your office). Don't keep them wrapped! Give them room to breathe and grow so they bruise or don't wilt faster.
• Consider buying flowers other than roses, unless those are her favorites. Potted orchids, for example, can last for years if you give it some TLC.

3. Buy greeting cards and/or box of chocolates super early.  These keep well in storage, so there's no excuse to buy cards or chocolates the day of Mother's Day. Like flowers, those selections will be minimal and dismal. So buy the good ones right now. Remember to keep the chocolates in a cool, dry place.

4. Get her something she'd want not need. If you have a hard time figuring out what gift to get, remember to get Mom something she would want. Moms are very good at being practical, so if you ask her what she wants, she may tell you what she needs: a new vacuum cleaner, a planner, or help with household chores. Or she would say that all she wants is to spend the day with her family. So spend the day with her, but give her something luxurious, fun, or sentimental. Here are some ideas:

• Jewelry (even one small piece of high-end jewelry)
• A gift card or voucher for spa treatments with a babysitting coupon
• A scrapbook, photobook, or digital picture frame of restored family photos

5. Tell Mom to clear her schedule. With your plans intact, don't forget to tell her that you've got something special planned just for her. Don't assume she'll assume because Moms can worry a lot and plan too much. Make sure her day is clear and tell her not to worry about one thing. Go ahead and build up the anticipation, as long as your plans will blow her away.

And they will blow her away because you're planning right now, right?