Public Service Announcement

Mother’s Day is almost upon us, and most men I know are clueless as to what they should get their wives. I decided to help out by giving a few suggestions of things I love (or would love to have. Hint, hint)

1. A King Ranch purse. They are a little pricey, but last forever. I know women who got their purse in Jr. High and are still using it, and it looks great! My favorite for moms is the Nettie Classic tote. It fits comfortably on the shoulder and is roomy enough to carry all the stuff moms have to lug around without looking like a diaper bag.

2.A Pandora charm bracelet. Definitely NOT the kind from the 50’s. This bracelet is mature and clever and fun all at the same time.

3.Give her the gift of free time AND a clean house. A gift certificate for a maid service is a one-size fits all sure-fire winner when combined with dinner out while the maids are working!

4. Good smelling stuff from Bath and Body Works is always a hit. (I like Sensual Amber.)

5. A portrait of the children for which that their mom does not have to make the appointment, get them dressed, or take them to the sitting. Sears portrait studios is a no-brainer. You can make the appointment on-line and you can get the photos the same day for an additional fee. Helpful hint for guys: t-shirts and shorts on the kids are NOT okay unless they all coordinate. If you have a teenage or pre-teen daughter, please let her pick the clothes. If not, call grandma for advice. Let’s be honest here, you have trouble dressing yourself. Oh, and check to see what size frames the kids’ pictures are already in so that you know what size to buy.

6. New sheets and pillows for the bed. Presentation is key here, you have to wash the sheets, and then make the bed before she sees them. The room also has to be SPOTLESS for this to work, and you need at lest one fresh flower on her bedside table. This is one of those things where the “wrapping” is 9/10 of the present. Trust me, she will be happy to not be sleeping on wedding present sheets and flat pillows any longer.

7. Pretty earrings from James Avery. I like them because they come with the world’s greatest earring warranty ever. If you lose one, you send the other back and pay half price for a new pair. I have way too many singles in my jewelry box, and would love to be able to wear them again.

8. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner prepared by the children (with Dad’s help, of course). The key to this is to give the kitchen back to Mom in a cleaner state than she left it.

9. A gift card to her favorite restaurant so she can go out with her friends. That way she gets to be a person again instead of just a person with children.

10. If you have a little bit of time and a lot of photographs already on your computer, you could make a photobook for mom at mypublisher.com. We’ve bought several of these over the last 2 years and they are always very high quality and very lovely. They run about $25, but if you use the code mom241 you can get an extra copy for free! Give one to your mom (because grandmas love pictures of the kids) and you have spent a whopping $12.50 on each of them. They’re delighted. You’re the hero. Send me a thank you note.

11. A good book and quiet time in which to read it. Like a sunny afternoon at the park while you play with the children while she lays on a blanket under a tree and sinks into a good story. I’ve been wanting to read Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice and the sequel The Road to Cana. For light reading, The Nanny Diaries is excellent, also Confessions of a Slacker Mom
and Confessions of a Slacker Wife should have her laughing our loud.

So, that’s my list for this year. I hope you found it helpful (especially if you happen to be my husband). It has a little something for everyone from $6 up to $210. Something for every price range. Just remember that to women, presentation and the thought behind a gift are everything. Good luck, and happy shopping!