“My mom smiled at me. Her smile kind of hugged me.” ― R.J. Palacio, Wonder

To me that is a beautiful sentiment. The best kind of all…how we make our kids FEEL. The greatest gifts we can give our children is the knowing that we are there, we care and our love is lasting. When they leave us, hopefully they know how deeply our love goes. When just a smile can help get them through anything. LOVE that.

It is that time of year where we get to celebrate some incredible people…our MOM’S!!

I know it is a couple weeks out, but I thought everyone may need a little time, preparation and great ideas to make this year a bit more memorable. Life is short. Take the time to GIVE YOUR LOVE.

My Mother is in another state, so I need some extra time to make things special, so here are some ideas, gift suggestions, and traditions to help get you moving in making moments really count this year.

Traditions, Unique Gift & Gathering ideas to incorporate from around the globe:

I obviously cannot do every country, so please understand I am just doing various places.

Peru: They celebrate for a week!! Oh, YES. That sounds like an incredible idea to me. Who doesn’t want at least a week of your favorite foods, family time, free entry to places like museums and festivals. I think Peru has the right idea of making the moments really count as a family. Mother’s are adorned with flowers and gifts throughout the week. Who can get too many LOVE notes, really? Right? Another one of their traditions is gathering at cemeteries of those beloved women who have passed on. Families socialize, eat, drink, clean and decorate the grave in honor of them.

My Idea: Make something Peruvian inspired by the fun, colorful patterns of the country. Create a bright card with detailed patterns, Cross-stitch something for Mom, give something llama themed, take her on a family hike, or make a handmade gift. Give your Mom a Rosado (Pink) flower and tell her she is bonita (pretty).

You could also go and decorate a grave of a beloved woman you have lost.

Philippines—Filipinos, who think of mothers as the ilaw ng tahanan (the light of the home), typically honor their mothers with flowers, chocolates, and small gifts.

My Idea: To remind her that she is The Light of the Home you could gift her with a beautiful candle or a decorative strand of lights, or a special lantern.

Australia–Very similar to the festivities in the US. Lots of flowers are given as gifts, primarily carnations and chrysanthemums are the most popular – chrysanthemums because mom is called “mum.”

Thailand—A traditional way that Thai children recognize their moms is with a gift of white jasmine flowers, which symbolize the purity of a mother’s love.

My idea: Gift a special vase of flowers with a ribbon tied to the vase that shares the meaning of the specific flower symbols.[ie: Rose is Love, Lily of the Valley–Return of Happiness, Calla Lilly for feminine beauty, Bellflower means gratitude] OR you could gift them their birth month flower. [ie: April is Daisy] You can google these lists for specific details.

UK calls it Mothering Sunday: Simnel cake– a light fruit cake layered with marzipan are given, breakfast in bed. Families who had moved away would return to the original church they attended. Today, the holiday remains grounded in religion, with many churches handing out daffodils for children to give to Mom. Traditionally, girls also bake a fruitcake for their mothers.-scholastic

My idea: Bake one of her favorites. Whether she is a pie gal, cake or cookie lover–make her something to let her know how special she is to you. Personalize it with frosting or add her favorite fruit for flare. Bake her something yummy.

Italy: La Festa della Mamma [Mom’s Day or Mom’s holiday]—everyone comes home for the holiday OR you must call. Handwritten poems and letters are given with fresh flowers, heart-shaped cakes, the day off from any meals, and all about the quality time with family.

My idea: Give a gift of some kind in a heart shape, whether it is a baked good, a heart rock you find at the beach, a handmade, origami heart garland, heart jewelry, etc. Give a little love and create a quality family memory.

France: Pull out the awards and medals. haha. The idea of a Mother’s Day in France originated during the Napoleonic era when families with a large number of children were presented with medals. Some localities still honor this tradition and present moms with medals on Mother’s Day. The French gift flower bouquet cakes, have intimate, family dinners with everyone bringing handmade gifts, flowers and poems.*

My idea: Well, this would be what I am doing this year for my Mom—vintage flower cards adorned with the specific meanings of each flower and then a personal list of the flower sentiments I would hand deliver in a bouquet (if I were in the same state).

You could also do a family award night & give each family member some type of award–[ie:The funniest in the family, The best at family tree.com, The last to be early, etc.] The awards can be fun and light-hearted or you could make it a sincere evening with loving roasts and quality, family time]

Japan: Japanese dishes associated with mother’s day are the Tamagoyaki (a rectangular omelet) and Chawanmushi (a savory egg custard). Younger kids make handmade gifts or draw portraits of their moms. Calligraphy gifts are also popular.* Thank the moms in your community who help your family by writing notes of gratitude. Tie the notes to white carnations and leave the flowers on the moms’ doorsteps. -scholastic

My idea: Do an omelet bar or sushi night for family. Have everyone bring specific ingredients and enjoy the meal together. You could also draw a portrait or make he a handmade origami garland or card. OR gift her with a special set of sushi utensils and have everyone eat with chopsticks. You could also buy bulk fortune cookies and have everyone share what their fortune reads. fun!!

Some countries create and dedicate songs to the women in their families. Other countries dance to specific music with friends and family. Some give cake over flowers. In Canada it is customary for husbands to give their wives and mothers a rose. China makes handmade cards, while some take holy baths in Nepal. There are so many various traditions to keep families closer and to ensure Mother’s feel loved and appreciated.

*some parts of the info https://www.storiesbysoumya.com/mothers-day-traditions-around-the-world/. Scholastic. 1800flowers.

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GIFT IDEAS

75 Gift Ideas (all sorts of DIY projects to make a great gift for MOM) https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/mothers-day/g2412/mothers-day-homemade-gifts-crafts/?slide=33 (Some of MY FAVORITES from the list: Lip scrub, Salt gift set, Garden herb planter, Wrapping paper bouquet, New Mom, Floral bath bombs, Bath tea, Floral pots, Marbled dish, Rope basket, Monogram clay Keychains (or you could make into tiny charms too), Stamped tea towels, arm knit blanket)

Thoughtful and unique gift ideas https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/mothers-day/g511/mothers-day-gifts/. (Some of MY FAVORITES from the list: Bucket list book, hummingbird feeder, Cloud slippers, “What I Love about Mom” book to add your thoughts and sentiments–these are great! Silk pillowcase [many swear by them], Tabletopics are always good for family gatherings (like Mother’s Day), Petite lemon tree, A small purse to fill with some of her favorite things & tiny notes of love hidden throughout, A 5 yr Q&A journal (Could be a priceless gift to have filled by your loving Mom)

60 DIY Gift Ideas from HGTV https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/holidays/diy-mothers-day-gifts-mom-will-love-pictures. (Some of MY FAVORITES: Love the Cozy Night In Gift Basket idea, Gardener Tool box, Wildflower seeds, Twist gift basket, Paper flowers, Lip & Body scrubs, Stamped napkin, Tabletop fire pit, cupcake bouquet, handmade cards, Macrame plant hanger)

Oprah’s Favorite Mother’s Day List https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/g26788572/gifts-for-mom/utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_opr_d_bm_comm_org_us_g26788572&gclid=CjwKCAjwxr2iBhBJEiwAdXECw9NuH-kd7cj9BSna1I-tX9KXvQHUFpcv_epMKvfY8hhsIhEAT_RWDBoC_xAQAvD_BwE

(MY FAVORITES from her list: Warmie Slippers (I want to try some), Oprah’s Love & Happiness Journal (I may want this too), Meditation app, Softies hooded lounger, Mindfulness deck, Barefoot Dreams (love them), Succulents trio, Cooling blanket)

Mom’s Happy Box: I did this for my Mom recently. She was feeling a bit down because of the weather, so I made her a Happy Box and filled it with everything BRIGHT–socks, a couple movies, cut out paper hearts, quotes written on all the sides with happy messages, stuffed plush teddy bear, some of her favorite things. Anything that helped brighten a day!

Special Family Recipes: Frame a special family recipe & share it with all the Mom’s in your family, so they all have a copy. I did this once with a digital recipe book idea. I had everyone share some of their favorite recipes & any special recipes they had from their Mom. Then I made it into a digital book & sent it to everyone in the family. Great gift idea.

MicroGarden: Can buy your home gardener mason jars for an indoor herb garden OR buy an indoor light system to grow herbs.

Intentional card decks: You could go a couple directions with this—you could buy a simple set of cards that are already made for mindfulness, creativity, meditations, affirmations…the list goes on with options. You could also buy a collage set of cards that have various designs, some have photos, some have patterns, styles, places (like beach)… and add your own quotes, personal activities, personal affirmations, date ideas, challenges to give your mom, Love notes from each person in your family, recipes, the options are endless of what to write on the back. Get creative. Give with intention.

Jewelry. Jewelry can be a great gift, but jewelry given with meaning…oh, the sentiment. Find a piece of jewelry that speaks or shares a simple message. Maybe you find something with her birthstone OR maybe you find something that has a special symbol of something she loves [ie: maybe her favorite flower is a daisy, so you find a sweet, daisy chain inspired necklace or ring] Maybe she collects something. Maybe she has a specific dream she is after. Think of a little charm that symbolizes something meaningful [ie: She wants to take more pictures, so you get her a tiny camera charm to accompany a new camera bag] OR maybe she loves the ocean, so you get her a simple, tiny shell necklace that you gift with a thoughtful ocean quote. So many options.

Personal pics: Pictures are always a favorite. To see cherished memories looping on a digital frame, hundreds layed out in a picture book or a simple video made to share with family and friends… Priceless. Pictures bring memories to life and help you hold those moments to be cherished forever. Just share—in some way.

Whatever you do in your family—just do it with LOVE. xoxo

Make heartfelt gifts, write handwritten notes, take the time to express your gratitude and sentiments to those dearest to you. It is one time a year, so take the time. Share your heart. Give with your greatest feelings. People need to feel, hear, be seen and cherished, especially our moms.

Well, I hope these ideas get you thinking of something very special you can create for your mom. Life is a great occasion, so do your best to make Mother’s Day a GRAND OCCASION. The beautiful women in your life deserve your very best!

Peace. Love. Light and Happy JOYS to you. xoxo -H