High-Tech Mother's Day Gifts for the Gadget-Loving Mom

I remember a time when I would make a Mother's Day card for my mom in my grade-school class. The process usually involved some canned, pre-written poem for me to copy, an awkward outline of one of my body parts and some finger paints. When I delivered my gift, it was backed up by my father's gift of roses or jewelry. Now that I am a few years older, my wife, the mother of my children, is mothering in a completely different world. The mom my children know is a technologically gifted, tech-savvy professional. She deserves and desires technological gifts and high-tech games.

Don't get me wrong, a well made, or even cute and shoddily put together children's card will still warm her heart, but my gift, the child's back-up, needs to be much more than a trinket or bundle of cut flowers. She wants more than that; she wants a tech-savvy gift. The following Technological Mother's Day Gift Guide will support you through the process of choosing a gift for the 21st Century mom in your life.

Rules for Tech-Savvy Mother's Day Gifts

You wouldn't give your wife or mother a vacuum or mop for Mother's Day (unless told to do so). Those things represent work and would make her feel like she working. When you are considering technological gifts, the same rules apply. Here are some guidelines:

Don't give her a gift that is associated with work. For example, if she is tied to work with a Blackberry or other smartphone, don't accessorize it. Or, if she is an IT professional, new hardware or software to install will be the equivalent of a vacuum.

Don't give her a "family gift" or a gift you want. Avoid the LCD or Plasma TV. She will have to share it. A Blue-Ray Video Player is great, but it won't be "hers".

Don't give her a cheap, discount knockoff of something she has asked for. This is the analogous to dollar store perfume.

Do give her the technological equivalent of cut flowers. Mom's don't like flowers just because they are pretty. They like them because they are "just for her," and they are totally uneeded, nonessential, and fun. A tech-savvy Mother's Day Gift should meet this same need.

Top 5 Technological Mother's Day Gifts

Amazon Kindle
Cost: $399
Why to get it: Mom does not get time to read because she is constantly in motion keeping the family's concentric circles from colliding. Amazon's wireless Electronic Book Reader is the opportunity that she needs to be still, relax, and read a good book. With it, she can carry a complete library for those stolen moments at the doctor's office or before a meeting. With the Kindle, she can use those moments to follow a passion or catch-up on current events.

The Kindle features the ability to purchase and download books wirelessly, a state-of-the-art E-ink display, storage space for hundreds of books, and an available library of well-over 100,000 books for purchase and thousands of free books. The learning curve behind the Kindle is nominal, and anyone can be enjoying a good book in minutes.

As a side note, this gift will only be useful if you give your wife or your mother time to read.

Nintendo DS With Brain Age 2
Cost: $149.00
Why to get it: First of all, moms like to have fun too. When they are flying around at light speed, you don't notice, but deep down inside they want to relax and laugh a little bit. The Nintendo DS gaming system with Brain Age 2 will give mom the opportunity to slow down and play a game.

Brain Age 2 is an instantly playable game with almost no learning curve. I have never meet a woman that did not like the puzzles and games that are included. The game also gives the player the opportunity to pick it up, play it for a few minutes, and actually get something accomplished. It is the perfect game for a casual gamer. As for the Nintendo DS itself, it comes in multiple colors, it can fit in a purse or a bag, and it is very non-intimidating and casual. It is the tech-savvy version of a teddy bear.

Quality Digital Photo Frame
Cost: $149 - $199
Why to get it: Moms love their photos. My wife has an iPhoto library of well over 5000 photos, and she can remember the circumstances and story behind every single photo. A high quality digital photo frame will allow her to enjoy her photos in a dynamic way that will keep her smiling.

Avoid low-cost / low-quality frames. You will find them at discount stores for less then $70. These low-cost units have a tendency to burn out the LCD, lack features, and will only frustrate mom. A nice frame with a 4GB SD Card will allow the special women in your life to display hundreds, if not thousands of photos. The frame can be displayed at work or at home. Either way, you will catch her staring and smiling at the memories.

Apple Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano
Cost: $29.00
Why to get it: Mom deserves a break, and a great way for her to relax is by walking or exercising. The Nike Sport Kit for the iPod nano allows her to use her iPod as a support for her workouts.

The Nike iPod Sport Kit will serve as the coolest pedometer she has ever had. Not only does it keep track of mileage, but also calories burned, and time. For the tech-savvy, competitive mom, the Nike Sport Kit will allow her to download her data to iTunes and compete with friends.

LED Floating Bath Lights
Cost: $12.95 - $39.95
Why to get it: When it comes to Mother's Day Classics, bath supplies have always been a hit. These 21st Century versions are an updated, sexy version of the old standby.

These gadgets are the tech-savvy equivalent of bath salts, candles, or fancy soaps. Most women enjoy a bath because it allows her to relax and escape for a moment. These floating, colored LED lights will help to set a mood and create a relaxing environment.