One-of-a-Kind Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

I am probably THE easiest person to gift. Whether it is for Christmas, my birthday, an anniversary or special occasion or Mother’s Day. Whether you want to just get a little something and not totally break the bank or whether you want to splurge and get me something really nice, I’ve got items big and small, inexpensive and splurge-worthy. I keep a running list at Nordstrom and on Amazon (PS did you know that you can add items to your Amazon Wish List from any site? LOVE that!) and I have for years. I just add or delete items as I’m playing on my phone at a stop light or waiting in line at the grocery store. So the lists are always up to date and the links have been the same for as long as I’ve had them. By now, my family (especially my husband) is well aware that they exist. And so, if someone is looking to surprise me but wants to ensure they get me what I want, its easy enough to just consult my lists. Why isn’t everyone this easy, right!?!

Unfortunately, gift giving can be so anxiety-ridden and stressful – at least for me. I always want to make sure to get the person something they want and will really love but 9 times out of 10, I’m clueless. And of course, you don’t want to ask. I mean, God forbid you lead the person to believe you’re at a loss for what they would want ;P That might suggest you don’t know them as well as you both thought you knew them (insert laughing emoji here – I hope you’re sensing my humor here, friends!)

Anyway, the thing that I have found over the years is that no one ever, in the history of receiving gifts, has ever returned or scoffed at (drum roll please!): an “experience” gift.

What do I mean by that? Well, what do you get that person who, seemingly, has it all? Or at least already has all of the “great” gifts that you thought you might get. You know…your mom who, by now, has every kitchen accessory ever produced, every good smelling candle on the market and a closet stuffed so full (with clothes and jewelry) your dad had to move his clothes to the guest bedroom…3 years ago; now, his belongings are banished to the garage and even that is becoming questionable grounds for him. What can you possibly get for mom that she doesn’t already have? An experience!

Now hang on with me here because regardless of what your budget is, I promise this idea won’t disappoint. I’m not talking fulfilling the woman’s “bucket list” wish of a year traveling around Europe – though if you have the money and can do it, she did carry you for 9 months 😉 But seriously, I’m talking about the same range in price points as my own handy, dandy wish lists. This experience gift can range from nearly free (just a refrigerator-raid or quick grocery run) all the way up to a paid vacation and anything in between. Only your imagination can really limit you.

I’ve actually put a lot of thought into this over the years because I have given the “experience” gift quite a number of times now to both family and friends and I’m telling you – it has NEVER disappointed. So here’s the short list of inspiration for you. And remember to bookmark it or save it in some way because this isn’t just a “Mother’s Day” thing – this is a “special occasion” thing for any of your loves that you are struggling to come up with a gift for. Enjoy!!! And of course, please leave me a comment with your thought or suggestions of more “experience” ideas! Would love to update this list with more ideas from y’all!

1. Manicure/pedicure
2. Picnic at a park (so the little can run around – this is what Peter planned for me last year (pictured above) and can I just say… <3 <3. Best. Time. EVER!)
3. Concert (SAP Center, KRTY Summer Wine Series, Music in the Park)
4. Massage (Burke Williams, Foot Spa)
5. Facial
6. Pay for her next hair appointment
7. Amusement Park, Zoo or Museum tickets (likely for use with the littles; Happy Hollow, Gilroy Gardens, Great America, Six Flags, SafariWest, San Francisco Zoo, Chrildren’s Discovery Museum, LegoLand)
8. Movie tickets & dinner gift certificate (for her to use with whomever she like at whatever date she chooses)
9. Lunch date (you can bring her sandwiches to work or take her out to lunch to celebrate the occasion)
10. Horseback riding session
11. Bowling night
12. Night of babysitting
13. Wine tasting trip (could be as simple as setting up a sort of “wine walk” in a down town area with restaurants that serve decent wines or extravagant as a trip to wine country)
14. Coffee date (how many times do you ever just sit down, grab a cup of coffee and talk with no distractions?)
15. Hike
16. Home cooked meal (mom’s are always the ones who are doing all the cooking for everyone else; why not give her a night off for once?)