Forget the Flowers. Take Mom Somewhere Awesome Tomorrow
(Photo: Thinkstock)
One hundred years ago, Congress had the good sense to declare the second Tuesday in May as a national Mother’s Day. The celebrations have changed since then, but many still include a family meal (frequently served and prepared by the mother being honored) and gifts from various family members.
The types of gifts have also changed. Today’s mom does not look kindly at a new vacuum cleaner or floor polisher—the kinds of Mother’s Day gifts women’s magazines suggested during the early 20th century. Today, jewelry, a day at the spa, or breakfast in bed (with Mom frequently cleaning up the kitchen and the crumbs) are the status quo.
Children typically think of their mother primarily as Mom, a reflection of her kids, rather than an independent cluster of interests, dreams, and hobbies. It would be nice to change that this year.
Instead of offering the usual tried-and-true present for Mom, why not take her someplace novel and memorable?
Your mother is an amazing woman. Make her feel extra special with these travel-related twists on the typical Mother’s Day gifts:
Instead Of: Chocolate
We Suggest: A chocolate-themed spa treatment
(Photo: Thinkstock)
Eating chocolate is fun, but bathing in it is truly decadent. At the Spa at the Hotel Hersey in Pennsylvania, you can treat Mom to their Chocolate Escape Package, which includes a whipped cocoa bath, chocolate bean polish, chocolate fondue wrap, and 50-minute cocoa massage. The package starts at $370.
Instead Of: Breakfast in bed
We Suggest: Breakfast in bed at a GREAT hotel.
Your mom might think your burned toast and eggs are cute, but she’d prefer waking up once a year to a gourmet meal served on a silver tray— no cleanup required. For instance—at the Inn at Dos Brisas in Washington, Texas, she can be served a five-star restaurant meal with ingredients sourced from its own organic farm. Or would she rather enjoy breakfast cliffside at the Post Ranch Inn at Big Sur?
Instead Of: Taking her out to dinner
We Suggest: A trip to a cooking school
Viking Cooking School. (Photo: betsy/Flickr)
We know Mom doesn’t need the lessons (and we know you’ll tell her that), but a trip to a cooking school together can make for a great bonding experience. Viking Cooking School is among the most famous in the U.S., with classes in Atlanta, Greenwood, Miss., and Atlantic City.
Instead Of: Flowers
We Suggest: A class in floral design
(Photo: Thinkstock)
Your mom can do a lot more with flowers than just smell them. There are schools across the country that offer beginner-to-advanced classes in floral arrangement. One example is the American School of Flower Design, with classes in eight cities. You can take the whole family for a one-hour group class, which includes bridal or classic American or European arrangements, at $50 per person.
Instead Of: An opera album
We Suggest: A family trip to the opera
You can make a vacation of it and travel to see an opera in another city (if she actually likes opera, of course). Examples of operas with shows playing all summer include the New York Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and the Royal Opera of London.
Instead Of: Staying in the city
We Suggest: A stay at a dude ranch
(Courtesy: Off the Beaten Path)
Every city-slicker mom secretly wants you to whisk her away from the sky scrapers. Off the Beaten Path can set mom up with a stay at a working ranch, complete with cowboys, campfires, and cookouts.
