Don’t downplay the allure of a practical gift on Mother’s Day, says The Maids. An extravagant floral arrangement or a fancy dinner is nice, but a labor-saving new appliance or freshly detailed vehicle are also good options. Potted plants, gift cards and birdhouses are (relatively) #clutter-free ideas, but housecleaning services and self-care gifts such as yoga classes can make Mom happy without adding more #stuff to the household. “The perfect Mother’s Day gift is the one that makes her feel seen and appreciated, and one that helps her make the most of her valuable time and energy.” #MothersDay
Tag: gift
Help Mom Be More Minimalist
Moms — everyone has one. And this Sunday is the day many among us will celebrate them. You might do that by taking her out to brunch, giving her a day off, flowers, cards or a call.
There’s another option that can help you show you care, however, in combination with one or more of those classic options or separately throughout the year: Help Mom be more minimalist.
No two moms are alike, of course; some are packrats with closets full of clothes and big collections of tchotchkes and gewgaws; some are spartan neat-freaks. Wherever yours fits on that spectrum, she needs help managing and organizing her #stuff.
We at The Organizing Blog were fortunate to have moms who kept everything #neat and #tidy, never allowing unwanted or unused #junk to pile up. But there was nothing they liked more than a little help with their household tasks.
If your mom is getting older, it’s more urgent for you to help her #downsize. There may be many things that are easy to let go, says Aging Outreach Services, but handle sentimental items with care.
If a move to a smaller space is imminent, make an action plan to eliminate everything but the essentials, room by room. Recruit family members and friends to make a day out of a decluttering effort. And most importantly, be patient.
Repeat the process as often as as necessary to get Mom to a refreshed, #decluttered place. It might even be something you can bond over — especially if you have a #garage sale that helps fund a dinner out or a spa day.
Remember, you can schedule as many free #donation #pickups as you want at ClothingDonations.org to get any extra clothing or unused household goods out of Mom’s sight as quickly as possible.
Helping #Mom #declutter is a Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving. Not only will she appreciate having a cleaner, more organized space, but both of you will cherish the time you spend together.
Give Subscriptions to Keep on Giving
If you’re stuck for a #gift idea and want to give something the recipient will enjoy all year long, there’s now a subscription serivce to suit everyone’s tastes. The Strategist suggests a number of bespoke boxes for foodies, wine aficionados and coffee addicts; the beauty-obsessed and fashionistas; avid readers, gamers and outdoorspersons; and doting pet and plant parents. Prices vary, but gift boxes offer multiple months of discovery and delight. Just remind your giftees to #recycle or #reuse the carboard boxes that arrive on their porches every month. #SustainableShopping #LastMinuteGifts
Shop Online to Give Experiential Gifts
You can avoid delivery delays (and save a lot of wrapping paper) if you buy the people on your #gift list an “experience” rather than a physical product. A short course from MasterClass might be in order if your giftee would like to learn a trade from a world-renowned luminary such as Martin Scorsese, James Patterson or Gordon Ramsey; a gift certificate from the local cooking school, massage therapist or maid service might also make a nice gift. Whatever you choose, most businesses can deliver a gift certificate via email, making your shopping almost effortless. #ShoppingTips
There’s Still Time to Score a Holiday Deal
Black Friday has come and gone, but there are still deals to be found on gifts as retailers scramble to supply shoppers in time for #Christmas. Amazon is offering “epic” daily deals and relatively reliable shipping times, and deal “trackers” such as TechRadar’s will help make sure you get the best price on that blender, air fryer or gaming console from the big-box stores. Handmade goods specialist Etsy offers a sale page if you’re looking for something a bit more whimsical and personalized, such as socks with your favorite dog’s face printed on them or a custom charcuterie board. #ShoppingTips