The work of a mother ought to be celebrated. Mothers put years of work into teaching us, helping us, disciplining us, consoling us, feeding us, raising us, and loving us. On Mother's Day, we can take the opportunity to show our mothers our gratitude for all they have done for us.
Mother figures are all around us, too, not just the women who gave us life. The women who have helped you at any stage of your life, the aunties you may be blessed with, or the givers of wise motherly advice throughout your life, all deserve to be recognized and honored.
Here are some out-of-the-box ways you can celebrate the mother figures in your life.
- Self-care together or just pamper her. A trip to a spa or a yoga class together could be a great way for you both to show love to yourselves and to each other. You don't have to go out to enjoy some pampering. Give her an at-home manicure.
- Look through photos together. Assembling a photo album of memories together is priceless. Spending time together flipping through the pages and reminiscing is just as valuable.
- Try a new hobby together. Whether you sign up for a pottery class, order some beginning cross-stitch materials, or follow online painting tutorials together, trying something new can help you broaden your horizons while bringing you closer.
- Serve together. Taking the time to volunteer together is a great way to spend a day. Find a cause you both care about, roll up your sleeves, and serve. You'll benefit the community and feel good doing it.
- Serve her. Figure out a project at her home that you could help with, whether it's painting a bathroom, weeding her garden, or hanging some artwork.
- Break bread together. Fix a nice picnic meal and load it all up. Take your mom to a place where you can enjoy your food and each other's company in the fresh air. Don’t want to go out, put together a brunch spread made just for mom (well, with a little extra for you, too) or how about a tea party-dress up, set up some fresh flowers, gather some sweet snacks and don’t forget her favorite tea and tea cup.
- Take her shopping. If you want to give your mom a gift but you're unsure what she'd like, bring her along to help you decide–whether it be an in-person shopping experience or online spree. If she's a fellow soror, you can let her pick her favorite sorority shirts and even buy a matching one for you.
- Plan a mother-daughter getaway. If you have the means and the time, planning a fun trip for just the two of you could be a special memory-building experience. Another option is a staycation. Just you and mom, binge watch her favorite television shows or movies, visit local museums or parks, attend a local festival or concert, go for a bike ride or a hike, and at the end of the day order her favorite take out or cook her favorite meal together.
- Have deep conversations. Moms are known for being great listeners, but take a turn being the ears. Ask her questions about how she is really doing, about her childhood, and about her life. Remember, this is time for mom to share so make sure you don’t turn the conversation to be about you.
- Write her a letter. If your mom appreciates words of affirmation, write her a heartfelt letter about the ways she has touched and shaped you. It will be something she can pull out and appreciate over and over. And if you are really artistic, author a poem and frame it for her.
No matter how you choose to celebrate your mother, she will love the thought and effort you put into it, and she will love spending time with you.