A variation of this question is asked at every holiday, and answers range from “I don’t have a clue” to hundreds of different options. You know that special mom in your life way better than I do, so use your best judgement. Here are a few basic good answers for the mom in your life!

Personalize something. Whether it’s your favorite picture of that special mom, a fun collection of souvenirs from recent experiences, or maybe a little book of personal memories. 

Personalized from little kids? Use washable paint to make handprints or footprints. Determine the child’s ability to write or dictate special little messages, or create their own little book of special mommy memories. 

Tried the personalized thing before? Sugru makes a fun wax-glue-mold-rubber compound that can be used to make item collages, “wax-seal” special letters, customize a mug, or organize and fix things in the house for her! The sugru rubber becomes firm, heat and cold resistant, and permanent (unless intentionally removed) after it cures! Check out Sugru for some great ideas and use your inner creativity. 

This is totally the cliche answer. Jewelry can be really special, but you don’t need to get the expensive one on the front of the magazine. Pick a budget and hit a store you think will be within that budget. I love Shopko for jewelry because they have a huge selection of inexpensive jewelry. Then pick a piece that you think she will enjoy, whether is colorful and loud (big, gaudy) or simple and elegant. Think in your head whether she likes bracelets, earrings or necklaces and check her collection to get some ideas. 

Just about every store has a mother’s day aisle with special picture frames, mugs and decorations. Or you can go on personalizing sites and the front page with be covered in suggestions. Maybe she needs an encouraging picture for the bedroom wall, or a special mom bag for trips and outings. There are some fun, creative possibilities in those aisles, give them a chance.

Is that mom in your world interested in fitness, self-tracking or technology? The BellaBeat LEAF is a lovely piece of technology to track fitness, sleep, activity and more. It can be worn multiple ways (necklace, bracelet, clip) and communicates with a smart phone to track her life, help her relax and meditate, encourages fitness, and claims to be able to improve her life. It’s fashionable, tech-savvy, and introspective. The LEAF has impressive reviews and looks like a beautiful piece. I’m receiving one to review and will let you know what I think in a few weeks, but it sounds quite awesome!

Whether it’s a day away with the kids or without, mom needs pampering. So, do the planning and cooking, cleaning and fixing. Manage the kids, meltdowns, diapers and bedtimes. Let mom kick her feet up on the couch, on the beach, in the backyard, or on a picnic. Sometimes a break, some relaxing time, can be better than any physical gift. 

All grown up? If this mom’s kids are all grown, she may just want to spend a day with them! Plan games, chats, and food. Do everything so she doesn’t have to do anything and spend time with her. 

Is she extravagant or simple? Sometimes a single flower means as much as a dozen roses. Or maybe a glass flower, or a cloth flower, or a flower made of chocolate! 

Gifts are great, but your words may mean the most. Little notes, words of love, hugs and smiles, and other expressions of love go a long ways. Ever heard of love languages? Google it. Figure out her love language and use that knowledge to make her day great. 

Of course, you can go the expensive route and treat her to a trip, expensive meal, or lavish her with expensive gifts. You know her better than me, and you know her lifestyle. Sometimes the simple things mean the most, so don’t worry so much about the price tag and focus on the meaning behind it instead. Enjoy the day, enjoy the woman!