Special Gift Ideas for the Stay-At-Home Mom (SAHM)

Husbands and kids with a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM), here's your chance to show your appreciation for the many things your SAHM does for your family! She's sure to enjoy anything on this list - take it from me, a fellow stay-at-home mom! We all have so much stuff already - I like to give (and receive!) gifts that are a little unique and that really take into consideration the passions of the recipient!

The Gift of Time: If there is one thing lacking in a SAHM's life, it is usually time, free time, that is, to do the things that she once enjoyed. So give the gift of time for the movies, for a workout, for a fun class...here's how!

Purchase movie passes for your SAHM from www.fandango.com in the form of fandango bucks which can be redeemed at a network of theaters across the country. You can buy them in increments of $10, $15, $20, $25, $50, or $100 and remember to include babysitting services along with this gift! You might also include a Starbucks gift card for a little extra something before or after the movie! You can buy a Starbucks Card online at www.starbucks.com !

Many of us SAHM's don't find the time to sneak in a workout like we once did, so treat your SAHM to a gym membership. You can purchase a YMCA membership at your local "Y". Most YMCA websites also allow for online purchases! What could be easier! www.ymca.net has the details. Most YMCA's even have child care so that exercise can become a regular part of the SAHM's life again! Include a gym bag with new workout clothes and new sneakers or an MP3 player! Find these goodies at www.target.com.

Many local museums and art galleries offer classes in all sorts of areas. This is a gift I would personally love to receive! In the Hampton Roads, Virginia area, one great place to find classes in everything from drawing to art appreciation is the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. For prices ranges from approximately $40 to $125, you can register your SAHM for a single or multi-session class! The website is http://www.pfac-va.org/arts.html for more information. Check out your own local museums for similar offerings! Also check out local craft centers such as those listed on these websites: http://www.thebeadsite.com/GUI-LKBS.html for beading classes, http://www.theyarnco.com/instruction.php for knitting in the NYC area (most areas have a knitting store these days!), and http://www.mudfire.com/pottery_classes.htm for pottery classes in the Atlanta area (most areas have pottery studios or paint-your-own shops as well).

The Gift of Pampering: Many SAHM's have long given up making beauty a priority - there's no time, no money, no energy!

So give your SAHM a luxurious spa day by going to www.spafinder.com. There you can search for spas worldwide by location and type and you can even purchase a Spafinder gift certificate that is good at over 3,500 locations worldwide! Put the gift certificate in a special basket with some beauty supplies, a new yoga outfit, and some good magazines or novels for an extra special touch! Go to www.magazines.com for discounted prices on a huge selection of magazines.

The Gift of Sentimentality: Almost every SAHM has a low moment when they wonder whether anyone really and truly appreciates all that they do for the family! A little sentimentality goes a long way with us! Give an extra-special sentimental gift that will be a treasure to your partner her whole life!

A sterling silver or 14K gold locket with photos of her loved ones will be a keepsake she'll never forget. You can find hundreds to choose from at www.amazon.com.

I received a Memory Maker bracelet that I just love - it holds six little pictures of my husband and children and it looks great too! Go to http://www.memorymakerbracelet.com/ for similar ideas!

Most importantly, no matter what gift you decide on, also have the kids make a handmade card for mom and put into words some of the things that you all love about her! This will be the most precious gift of all and the most meaningful!

Happy holidays!