Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell
Special for arizonamoms.com
Apr. 23 2008 4:40 pm
Mother's Day gift-giving can all seem like such a trap.
You better not buy her clothing because you're sure to get the top too small and the bottom too big and then you're just in trouble. Try being a little generous with your token of affection and then you will get lectured about spending too much money and be reminded that there's something like a recession going on here.
Don't shop last minute. Does a loving mom really deserve a last-minute singing bird clock plucked from the discount bin of the corner drugstore? Besides, she has that thing already.
The ubiquitous gift card is always a good choice.
Of course, you can give her the best thing of all, some of your time and attention. So give her a call or visit. And, if you need a little mama-oriented bling, start by giving this list a good look.
For green/socially aware moms
$25 and under:
A nature pin - A sweet hummingbird pin, crafted in Mexico by workers of Union Progresista Artesanal, is a perfect companion to nearly any outfit. Made of abalone shell and nickel silver (an alloy comprised of copper, zinc and nickel), the pin is $18 and available at Ten Thousand Villages, tenthousandvillages.com.
The Glendale store, located at 20022 N. 67th Ave., sells only fair trade items made by craftspeople throughout the world so you know your purchase is really making a difference in many people's lives. Incidentally, a dragonfly pin made by the same group is also $18.
Or why not buy, say, a share of a water buffalo for just $25 on Mom's behalf via Heifer International? You can splurge on the entire animal for $250. A purchase of an animal provides a family in need with a food source rather than short-term assistance. Details: heifer.org.
$50 and under:
Raffia purse - Moms can never have enough purses, and the charming, blue woven raffia purse available at Ten Thousand Villages is a summer must-have. Made in the Philippines by Saffy Handicrafts, this $44 tote is dolled up with mother-of-pearl buttons arranged in a flower pattern. Just as cute at the beach as it would be on the bleachers.
Or, the mother of a young one is sure to find the Mother and Child Statue made by the Undugu Society of Kenya to be endearing. It is $28 and is made of kisii stone, a type of soapstone found only in a limited region of western Kenya.
$100 and under:
A bit of art - A rainbow's worth of children adorn the World Children Wall Hanging made by the Comite Artisanal Haitien and found, of course, for just $78 at Ten Thousand Villages . Crafters recycle 55-gallon metal drums to make this and other wall hangings, cutting, and sometimes painting, them into beautiful works of art. The Haitian outfit also makes a stunning metal cross, which costs $44 and available online, and an intricate tree-of-life wall hanging for $48.
Gadget Goddess Mom
$25 and under:
Wine bottle opener - Nothing like a good bottle of wine, right? But who can stand opening the things? Snag your favorite mom the Emerson Electric Wine Bottle Opener, a nice bottle to share and maybe a movie? (Just not Mommie, Dearest.) At target.com or in your nearest Target store. For the more outdoorsy type gadget lover, try REI's Celestial Seeker Gift Box, just $20 and available online at rei.com. The pocket-size star finder assists even the most celestially challenged, making any nighttime sky even more beautiful and enjoyable.
$50 and under:
Headphones - Not any old kind. Get some noise-canceling ones. We spied a Sony pair at Target that are regularly $49.99. Headphones also fold for easy storage and have an in-flight plug adapter and carrying pouch.
If she's into games, pick up a hand-held electronic game such as sudoku, most run about $25 or less. But if you don't mind spending a bit more, consider the New York Times Deluxe Electronic Handheld Touchscreen Crossword game because, well, it's cool. You can even read it in the dark. This one goes over the budget a bit - $59.95 online at barnesandnoble.com.
$100 and under:
Binoculars - Got a good set of binoculars? Neither does that special lady in your life. One that might fit the bill is the Nikon Trailblazer ATB Waterproof 10 x 25 binoculars available online for $94.95 at rei.com. This compact product is perfectly suited for most outdoor activities.
Career Mom
Career Mom
$25 and under:
Lunch box - No need to brown bag it anymore. The Neoprene Gourmet Getaway Tote in a punchy stripe pattern makes bringing lunch from home a little more fun and keeps cold food and drinks fairly well insulated for up to four hours. Plus, the $22.99 bag is washable - and even works as a little tote for the beach, according to one product reviewer at barnesandnoble.com.
$50 and under:
Foot pampering -The Sharper Image Foot Smoother can help undo some of the damage that pumps and long hours on your feet can cause. Any mom will love this salon-grade product that gently removes calluses and dry skin without scary chemicals or blades. It's $29.95 at Sharper Image or sharperimage.com.
$100 and under:
Meal service - All moms are working moms, but moms whose jobs take them outside of the home sometimes need a little help taking care of that home as well. Why not purchase a couple meals for your favorite mom at a prepared-meal service, such as Entrees Made Easy. Three, full-order entrees run about $85, as do six half-order entrees. Assembly is extra. Entrees Made Easy, entreesmadeeasy.com , has various Valley locations. Your favorite mom can go in and do it, if she has the time and inclination, or pay extra for the no hassle meal. Another option is looking into a one-time visit from a cleaning service. Nothing says "I love you" like it!
Girly-Girl Mom
Girly-Girl Mom
$25 and under:
Glam case - The Red 3-Tier Round Accessory Case offered for $19.95 right now at barnesandnoble.com is just, oh, so divine. You don't even have to put jewelry or accessories in it; just set it on the dresser and admire its sassy, classy form. Better pick up a couple of these for future gifts for all the other women in your life.
$50 and under:
Jewelry - Bring a tear to her eye when you present her with a slender, sterling silver bracelet inscribed with this touching sentiment: "A mother holds her children's hands a short while, but their hearts forever." Available online only at target.com. But, wait, there's more! Don't leave grandma out of this. There's a bracelet made just for her as well; it reads, "A Grandmother's Love is the Heart of a Family." Who could resist? Also only at www.target.com.
Or, check out some of the cool Smashbox makeup products at Ulta, www.ulta.com, which has several Valley locations. Consider the "Try Me Set," which includes a couple brushes, a lip gloss, a foundation primer and a DVD, for $29. Ooooo, Mama!
$100 and under:
Perfume - She's cool, she's classy, and she's everywhere right now. She's Vera Wang and one of her fragrances is sure to be just right for the mom in your life. Try Truly Pink (bonus for the girly girls, it comes in an understated and elegant pink box!) in the 3.4-ounce eau de parfum spray. It runs $87 at Ulta, ulta.com. Add a 5-ounce Truly Pink lotion for $40 and you've got yourself a luscious gift set.
The Good Sport Mom
$25 and under:
Pedometer If she's always running, get her the Sportline 345 Pedometer. The electronic pedometer tracks your steps, distance and calories burned while walking or jogging. This one is $24.95. Find it at www.rei.com.
$50 and under:
Yoga kit - What a long strange trip it's been. Some of us are old enough to remember trying to stretch with our mommies, just like Lilias was doing on public television's "Lilias, Yoga & You," circa sometime in the 1970s. Then, when we were young impressionable teens, we heard about Sting and his tantric yoga and all the wonderful things it did for him and his love life. Nowadays, our own children are learning yoga positions in public school. In other words, yoga is here to stay. For the novices in your life (perhaps you are among them), the Gaiam Yoga Beginner's Kit is a thoughtful introduction to this wonderful exercise. It runs $30.95 at Target or target.com.
$100 and under:
Bicycle - What's red, black and white and ridden all over town? Mom's new 26-inch Schwinn Legacy Cruiser, a cool ride if ever we saw one. (Yep, there's a pink Schwinn Roxie Cruiser, too; it retails for $129.99). Just $99.99 at target.com or at Target stores.
When you just need to . . . SPLURGE!
Spa day - Got a princess to pamper? Or just a hard-working mom who needs a little nurturing herself? Send her to the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which offers a multitude of packages and two great Mother's Day specials.
The "Springtime Hands and Feet Package" offers the day spa's signature manicure and pedicure - both are one-hour treatments that include a paraffin dip and a Turkish scrub - for $179 plus gratuity.
With the "Willow Stream Customized Package," guests may choose one of several 90-minute massages in combination with a 60-minute facial for $399 plus gratuity. The hot stone massage and the "Beyond Botox" facial are two treatments that come highly recommended. And, with the purchase of these or any other gift certificates, guests have the run of the 44,000 square-foot facility from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. the day of their service. So Mom can also play in the waterfall or rooftop pools, use the fitness center or partake in some classes and wrap up the day in the steam room or sauna. For more information, call (480) 585-2732 or visit fairmont.com/scottsdale.
Click here to read about 5 spa deals for Mother's Day.
At-home retreat - So your mom's not into nails or facials but she really digs the outdoor life? Va-va-va-voom up her patio, why don't you, by adding a black, scroll-design outdoor chandelier, $129.99, and a coordinating glider loveseat decked out in a smart gold-and-black stripe, $249.99, both from the Havenbury outdoor furniture collection at Target. Add a rug, some potted plants and an accent table - there's several to choose from in the Havenbury series - and you've just given that special mom a whole new open-air room. And she'll love you for it. Havenbury pieces available at Target stores or at target.com.
Garden galore - Or, for the gardener in your life, check out the eucalyptus-wood potting bench designed by Sean Conway for Target. Just $229.99 at target.com. Add a gift card to her favorite nursery and you're golden.
Digital music - Bring mom into the modern day by giving her the Ion Audio USB Turntable that converts vinyl records - yes, many of us still have 'em around - to CD, hard disk or MP3 format. You can even digitize cassettes with this nifty contraption. It's $199.95 at the Sharper Image and connects to either a PC or Mac.
