Best Christmas and Birthday Gifts for Mothers

While from my experience, Christmas shopping for my mother has never been that difficult of a task, other Mothers might be harder to satisfy. If that is the case with your Mother, and you can't seem to think up a good Christmas gift idea, try perusing through these gift suggestions.

1) Bath-time Accessories

My mother absolutely loves to take bathes-and if yours does too, bath accessories can make perfect Christmas gifts. Don't get the really strong smelling junk from Bath and Body Works-most Mothers desire a more subtle aroma. Try shopping at L'Occitane (http://usa.loccitane.com) for some bath-time essentials, such as perfumed soaps, salt scrubs, bubble baths, and essential body oils. These Christmas gifts will make your Mother so happy because they give her the chance to relax in comfort (a chance many busy Mothers do not often get).

2) Pedicures & Facials

Mothers love to be pampered-probably because most are so busy taking care of others that they neglect to take care of themselves. Giving your Mother a Christmas gift certificate to receive a facial or a pedicure will make you the little hero-the one that cares about her personal needs. There are many lovely spas and skin care salons in all areas of the country. Simply find one online or in the yellow pages and make a visit to check it out. Don't buy your Mother a Christmas gift certificate to a salon without visiting first-some places are grungy and bacteria-ridden, and you wouldn't want your Mother to go there. Pedicures make great Christmas gifts because they feel wonderful on tired feet! Facials make great gifts too.

3) Cookbooks & Cooking Accessories

Whether your Mother loves to cook or not, she is probably tasked with cooking for the family. Fortunately, my Mother loves to cook and loves to get inspired with new ideas in cookbooks with new recipes. Christmas is a perfect time to give your Mother a cookbook gift-new recipes for the New Year. Figure out what kind of cuisine your Mother loves, whether it be Indian, new American, Vegetarian, Low-Fat, or Italian...the possibilities are practically endless. Check out New York Times online if you need a little assistance in choosing a book-they have a 'best cookbooks of 2008' list. Be sure, when you give your Mother a cookbook for Christmas, that you let her know you are interested in cooking out of it too and she won't be doing all the work!

If your Mother already seems to have cookbooks coming out her ears, giving her another cookbook for Christmas might not be the best gift idea. However, there are tons of new and fun cooking gadgets that she might love for Christmas. Check out William-Sonoma (www.william-sonoma.com), Sur La Table (www.surlatable.com), Crate & Barrel (www.crateandbarrel.com) or any other local kitchen supply stores near you. Whether your Mother likes or needs a new pie pan, cookie cutters, crock-pot, garlic press, cake decorating kit, etc. you will find these gifts and more.

4) Personal Coupon-Booklets

If money is tight this year and you feel like going the homemade route for her Christmas gift, do not fret because your Mother will love a variety of personalized coupons! You can easily design a nice little booklet and fill it with coupons that your Mother can use at home. These coupons can be varied in whatever way you like, but some ideas are: I will cook dinner tonight; 20 minute backrub, 10 minute foot rub, I will clean the house, etc. Make the coupons as personal as possible, depending on what you foresee your Mother needing done during the year. And don't be stingy with this gift!