Mother’s Day Planning Checklist

Too often Mother’s Day sneaks up on us and instead of gifting your mother with a well planned day we hastily throw something together, grab the last card on the shelf and give her toast with peanut butter and coffee to her for breakfast.

You an avoid that this Mother’s Day with a little advanced planning.

Here are some ideas:

• Buy or Make your Mother’s Day card
• Write your mother a poem. Don’t wait until the last minute for this. You want it to sound well thought out and sincere. Not thrown together at the last minute.
• Get the signature of everyone that needs to sign the card
• If you’ll be giving her flowers make sure you have picked them out or have ordered them to be delivered.
• Choose an appropriate gift and then purchase it. If you are ordering online, make sure that you allow enough time for shipping and delivery.
• Choose a wrapping paper or pretty gift box and get your package ready for giving
• If you are cooking a meal, make sure you get the ingredients from the grocery store so you aren’t caught without a key ingredient.
• If you are making a coupon book for mom to redeem throughout the year make sure to get it done and printed early.
• Taking mom to a movie, play or concert? Make sure you buy the tickets in advance
• Make sure anyone you have invited to share this Mother’s Day with you has been notified of your plans and is able to attend
• Get your camera ready and have extra batteries ready – just in case
• Pampering mom at the salon or spa? Don’t forget to make the appointments
• Need a babysitter for evening plans? So do your neighbors. Don’t wait until the last minute or you might just be out of luck.
• Make any reservations that need to be made. Here are a few reminders:

     1) Restaurant – if you will be eating out
     2) Airplane – if you will be traveling
     3) Hotel – if you need one while traveling
     4) Car – again, if it is needed.

The important thing to remember is to plan, plan, plan ahead. Put reminders on your calendar, your cell phone or anything that will trigger your mind to remember that you have some important planning to do.

Make this Mother’s Day the best planned, least stressful one every and be sure to do it again next year.

Honoring Mom

Mother’s Day is about more than giving gifts and eating good food. Mother’s Day was created to honor the job of mothering.

Honoring mothers dates back to the time of gods and goddesses and it wasn’t until 1908 that Mother’s Day was recognized and celebrated in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

By 1948 over 40 countries were recognizing and celebrating Mother’s Day, although not always on the same day. The United States Congress officially approved Mother’s Day in 1948 and it has been celebrated on the second Sunday in May ever since.

So, what will you be doing to honor your mother on Mother’s Day?

Here is a short list of things you can do for your mom to show her how much you appreciate her.

Flowers

Roses and carnations are a popular choice to give mom’s. In fact, florists see more sales for Mother’s Day than they do for Valentine’s Day. In addition to flowers, plants for your mother’s garden might be a good choice to present her with, especially if she has a green thumb as is always working in her garden.

Outings

You know better than most what your mom would enjoy for her special day. Would she like to visit a local museum or the zoo? Perhaps she’d prefer a day trip to a nearby city or even a long weekend away. Maybe she would just like to stay near home and have a picnic or go out to her favorite restaurant for her Mother’s Day meal.

Food

Whether you will be cooking breakfast, taking your mother out for brunch or lunch, preparing an elaborate dinner or just going out for a picnic in the park food will mostly likely take a starring role in the honoring of your mother this Mother’s Day. Make sure to ask her what her preferences are so you can make those plans in advance.

Gifts

The gift you give your mother on Mother’s Day will be the representation of your love and appreciation for her so take the time to choose something she would enjoy. If you know your mother loves to read but rarely gets the time to do so, consider giving her a few hours, or even a whole day, of quiet time to read that book she has had her eye on – maybe even buy it for her if she doesn’t already have it.

Whatever you decide to give to your mom make sure it looks like you took the time to carefully plan for her desires.

More than anything honoring your mom on Mother’s Day will be about the memories you make this day and all the others throughout the year. Whether you remember this day or not, your mother most likely will. She keeps every card, letter and poem you have ever written her and cherishes each one as the treasure it is.

Make sure to spend quality time with your mother this year and let her know how much you love her. Don’t forget to take a picture to commemorate the day.