How do we celebrate Mom when we are stuck in quarantine? Get your creative juices flowing and make a list of things she loves. This will help focus you in the right direction. To get you started, I have listed 15 ideas that you can pull off when you cannot leave your home.
Virtual Wine Tasting: I love this idea. You can sign up with different wineries and do virtual tastings. Offerings vary based on the company, so do some research. Here is a link to get you started. https://www.wine.com/content/landing/virtual-tastings#
Flowers or Balloons: I don’t care what gift experts say, flowers NEVER get old! I sometimes mix it up and send a bouquet of balloons. This is so festive.
Find a Friend (or company) to Serenade Her: My mother had two friends come over, unannounced, and sing to her outside her home. They then left a batch of homemade muffins. It was so memorable! If you hire a professional, not only are you giving a great gift, but you are also helping support them during difficult times.
Kindle: If she enjoys reading and has not tried books on Kindle, quarantine is a good time to start.
Home Shopping Spree: Instead of sending her out the front door, where many stores are not open, she can curl up on the couch and shop from home. Most boutiques have websites, and I strongly encourage supporting our local businesses. Shopping on Amazon will work, too. But shop local if you can!
Coupon Book: Ideas: clean the house; make breakfast, lunch or dinner; whatever her chores entail let the family take over for one week. There is no end to what you can include in this book. Make one coupon for each month to last a year, or one for each day that lasts a week. Let the children get involved in crafting the book. The sky is the limit on this gift!
Puzzle: Order a puzzle with a picture of her favorite vacation spot with a promise you will visit as soon as you can travel again.
Favorite Dessert: Make it or order it. Let the children be involved if you are making.
Art Set: If she enjoys art, or has wanted to start back up, order a beginner’s set from Amazon.
Pajamas and Slippers: We are spending a lot of time in clothes other than our normal street wear. Now is a great time to invest in a nicer set of pajamas and slippers.
Comfortable and Stylish Lounge Outfit: For the same reason mentioned above, a new, chic lounge outfit will be greatly appreciated.
Create a Playlist of Her Favorite Songs: This is a special treat for those that do not enjoy technology but want to have a solid playlist of music. Having someone else create the list for you is a treat.
Online Course She Wishes to Take: If there is a course she has wanted to take, purchase this online, and give her a coupon book that offers to take over her responsibilities so she has the time to complete the course.
Instant Pot or Slow Cooker: With all the homecooked meals we are devouring, now is a good time to upgrade the Crock-Pot you received when you married or invest in a first-time Instant Pot. Include a recipe book of easy to follow meals. Go a step further. Tell her she will receive her gift in the evening. Don’t let her in the kitchen. Make a great meal for her in her new appliance and then present both to her at the same time. (I may have to do a blog on competing opinions: slow cooker or Instant Pot?!?)
Silky Sheets: Sheets can be expensive. Indulge her in a beautiful set of new linens for the bedroom. This might be something you let her choose, but you can include it in the coupon book!
Although we tend to think of tangible items when it comes to gift giving, the best way to please Mom is to learn to speak her love language. These languages include words of affirmation; acts of service; receiving gifts; quality time; physical touch. If you have not taken the 5 Love Languages quiz, I encourage you to do so. Everyone of us speaks all five languages, but some of our languages rank higher than others. When it comes to gift giving, if you know which of Mom’s languages rank the highest, it will help guide you in the type of gift that will please her most. And if you can learn to master her language, this will be the greatest gift of all. https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/
Together with you,
Lisa Lou