Traditional Mother's Day Gifts with a Twist

A new spin on traditional Mother's Day gifts may be just the thing you need to make this year's present surprising, refreshing and memorable. Consider the following three traditional ideas and then the twists that follow. You may find a concept you would like to use or it may inspire you to think of one unique to your own gift-giving situation.

Traditional Item Number One: Chocolate

The Twist: If mom loves chocolate and you always purchase it for Mother's Day, consider a twist on the idea. For example, Belgium is famous for its chocolate, so...if mom likes to travel, has never been to Belgium and you think she would like to go, purchase her a gift certificate to a Chocolatier in Belgium, along with the round trip tickets and hotel rooms that will allow the trip. You can think of any place that is famous for its chocolate and use this idea, including local places. For example, if you know of a famous chocolate factory in the United States, even if it is only a city or two away from mom's residence, you could arrange a trip to that place and sleeping arrangements for a short getaway.

Traditional Item Number Two: Flowers

The Twist: Flowers are undoubtedly one of the most frequently purchased gifts to give on this particular holiday. If mom loves flowers you can still indulge her, just do so in a way that will surprise her. You could use the above idea incorporating flowers for chocolate (a trip to Holland to see the tulips, anyone?) or you could think of a way to use flowers in a non-traditional manner that would leave her breathless. Contact a flower gardener in the area who would be willing to contract a job. Explain the dimensions of the garden you would like installed in mom's yard, the items you would like in it (or collaborate with them on this), the time frame they would have to do the garden in its entirety, and the fact that it would be a surprise so expedience would be of the utmost importance. Then think of an excuse to get mom out of the house on the day or days designated (maybe you'd like her to stay with you for a day or two and someone else could let the gardener into the yard and supervise) and then surprise her with a ready-made garden full of flowers in full bloom. With this gift idea, of course, you will have to be certain she is willing and capable of maintaining the garden on her own (pulling weeds, watering, etc.).

Traditional Item Number Three: Dinner

The Twist: Treating mom to dinner is also a huge hit on Mother's Day. This year consider going overboard. Have a huge dinner set up in the back yard (with tent cover, of course) and invite everyone you know she would love to have there. Have a caterer come in to do all of the thrills and frills. Make sure there are is a really fantastic centerpiece that says Happy Mother's Day or gorgeous flowers and a card that she can take home with her afterwards. Have all of her favorite foods served and end it all with a decadent and very indulgent dessert that she might not otherwise partake in eating. Go all out and spoil her; it is afterall, her day. This idea can be done on a smaller scale as well, in a more intimate setting inside of your home or hers, or it can be done in a joint fashion by having dinner catered for her and grandma, and all of the guests they would both like in attendance. You can even have an open bar and a DJ playing music from her era if you choose and make it an all out dinner party.

The time and consideration you put into making any of the above arrangements will be more than noted and your gift may well become one of her favorites of all time.