Scrounging for last-minute gifts can be stressful, especially if the recipient is your mother.
For Mother’s Day, May 14, finding a last-minute gift requires a bit of inspiration. Click through the gallery below for gift ideas.
Journal
Mom’s words of wisdom appreciate in value over time. Get her a quality journal so she can jot down her thoughts, or consider giving her an interview journal, like this one from Amazon, that includes prompts for mom to write stories about her experiences.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Wind chimes
It’s that time of year, when mom’s want to sip iced tea on the porch or curl up with a book in the sun room. Help mom create a tranquil ambience with wind chimes that she can listen to on breezy afternoons. Home Depot offers an assortment of wind chimes on its website.
(AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki
Gardening tools
Spring is the perfect time for moms to try a new hobby, especially gardening. A set of gardening tools like this one from Amazon, or easy to grow seeds can help her plant her new garden. If she already has a green thumb, give her a variety of new plants she can cultivate.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
House plants
If gardening isn’t mom’s forte, start her off small with a houseplant. Better Homes and Gardens has a list of the easiest house plants to grow, such as the Chinese Evergreen or Grape Ivy. For busy moms, consider succulents, which only need a sunny spot and an occasional sprinkle of water.
(AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma
Summerwear
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get mom ready for fun in the sun. If she has vacation plans in the works, give her sandals, an outfit or accessories to dress up her trip. Shoe brands such as Aerosoles, Born, Naot and Birkenstock offer comfortable, yet stylish, picks.
(WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg
Lotion
Give her facial lotion, but not under $10 tubes found at convenience stores. Try a higher end products such as anti-aging cream, a mask or scrub from a beauty shop. Good Housekeeping has a list of the best anti-aging products of 2017 on their website. If this gift doesn’t put a smile on mom’s face, the compliments she’ll get a few week into her beauty regimen will.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Eyewear
If it’s time for mom to update her eyewear, take advantage of Mother’s Day sales and get her a new pair of glasses. Whether she needs reading glasses, bifocals or just a new pair of sunglasses, help mom ring in the summer in style.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Family portrait
If you think family portraits are out of fashion, you may be thinking of stuffy studio shots from decades past where everyone looks uncomfortable. Today, family portraits are all about capturing the essence of the family, and the photos sessions can take place indoors or outdoors. JCPenney portraits is an option, or you can search for local photographers near you.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Surprise party
Nothing beats a surprise party. Gather all of mom’s loved ones for a last-minute shindig to celebrate the woman who brought you all together.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Cooking class
Who doesn’t like trying something new? Buy her an “experience” such as a cooking class, spa day, massage, fitness class or horseback riding lesson. Groupon is a great resource to search for deals in your area.
(Courtesy National Restaurant Association)
Courtesy National Restaurant Association
Personalized gift cards
Tuck a “homemade” gift card inside a handmade Mother’s Day card for an extra special surprise. At Giftcards.com, you can design your own gift card, or choose one of their custom designs. Load up a card to mom’s favorite store or restaurant, design her a prepaid Visa card, or customize an e-gift card straight from your phone or computer.
(Thinkstock)