This year, I planned ahead and bought my mother a gift – some lavender-sceneted bath salts – well in advance of Mothers’ Day. I was quite proud of myself for being so on top of things … but then I got too excited about the gift and gave it to her long before planned.
So now I’m back to the drawing board for the fast-approaching Mothers’ Day. During my brainstorming, I keep coming back to the idea of giving experiences rather than things. If you are also looking for Mothers’ Day gift inspiration, here are some experiences that I think any mother would be happy to receive:
Visit the botanical gardens.
I know, I know, taking your mother to the botanical gardens is so cliché that it almost hurts, but it is a classic for a reason. Moms love flowers, and where are there more flowers than at a botanical garden? I rest my case. Last Mothers’ Day, I happened to visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens near Cape Town without realizing which day it was. Everywhere I looked, people were walking through the gardens with their mothers or picnicking with their mothers. It made me quite nostalgic for my own mother!
Go to the museum.
Check around to see if any nearby museums or art galleries are having exhibitions that you think your mother would like, or choose an old favorite. Walking around a museum is a nice activity to spend with your mother, and, after viewing all that art, you’ll have plenty to talk about.
Take her to tea.
Going to tea is one of my favorite activities to share with my mom. Whether you opt for a mug of tea and a scone in a cozy tea shop, or for high tea with its tiers of fingers foods in the fancy hotel, tea never fails to comfort and relax.
Go to a yoga or fitness class.
Sweating together brings people together! Find a class that both you and your mother will enjoy – ideally one that challenges both of you a little, but that isn’t above anyone’s fitness level.
Plan a future trip.
A couple of years ago, my mom and I took a whirlwind trip to Rome and Paris. From the highlights (a visit to the outstanding Villa Giulia in Rome, an evening bicycle tour through Paris) to the lowlights (my inability to procure anything – tea, bandages, anything – with my dismal attempt at French, losing my mother in the Vatican), the trip remains among my most-cherished memories. Maybe it’s time for you to plan a similar adventure with your own mother!
What other suggestions do you have for experiences to give your mom for Mothers’ Day? Let me know in the comments!