Unique, Clutter-Free Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Moms Older than 50

When my mother was the age I am now, shopping for a Mother's Day gift for her could be a complicated, iffy affair. She had very particular tastes, had very specific and careful "collections" and was more inclined to pay attention to trends about which I wasn't nearly as aware. However, now that she's in her 50s, she no longer has the time or inclination to slavishly follow every latest fashion trend; though she's still very youthful and in excellent shape for her age, at 57, she no longer has the luxury of seemingly limitless time, and her priorities tend to be very tightly focused.

I keep all of this in mind when shopping for a Mother's Day gift for my mother these days, though it hasn't made gift-giving any easier. I've come to the conclusion woman in her 50s needs less stuff and more opportunities to slow down and celebrate her accomplishments, while renewing her energies for the things that are important to her.

For this reason, for the past few years, I've been giving my mother what I like to call "clutter-free gifts." I recommend taking an inventory of what the special Mom in her 50s likes to do, but rarely gets a chance to treat herself to. For example, my mother enjoys going out to dinner, but usually prefers to save for retirement instead and considers it a luxury to eat out. So, a personalized gift she usually enjoys is a generous gift certificate to her favorite restaurant. Most major restaurant chains sell them, but if your mother's favorite restaurant doesn't, you can always ask the management if they'll write one out just for your mother.

If your mother is like mine and leads a very hectic life, the perfect way to show your mother that you value her well-being and think she's entitled to star treatment just may be to pay her way for a Mother's Day spa day, where she can spend a day being pampered exactly the way she likes.

If your mother is on a tight budget but likes to shop, purchasing a gift certificate doesn't necessarily have to be impersonal - a gift basket filled with small gift certificates to all her favorite stores can show her that you weren't looking for an easy way out of gift-giving, but instead tailored a present exactly to her idea of fun.

Get creative! If your mother is a fan of art or science, consider an annual pass to her favorite local museum as a Mother's Day present. Is she a fan of the movies, but her hectic lifestyle has caused her to miss a few of the latest blockbusters? Most movie theater chains sell gift passes - don't forget to buy enough for the popcorn! A subscription to a book club can make a great gift for the bookworm Mom; even magazine subscriptions are ideal for the busy empty-nester who might need easy access to quick reading material.

A great Mother's Day gift doesn't have to come in a box with a ribbon tied around it. With a little thought to your mother's evolving lifestyle and needs and a little thinking outside the box, you can easily come up with a unique gift that your mother won't soon forget - or outgrow!