Wondering how to make Mother’s Day special this year?
Brunch is nice and all, but getting a reservation for Mother’s Day can be a challenge. Plus. restaurants are packed and noisy on this popular dining-out day, and we think there are better ways to treat mom. We came up with some fun ways to show the special mom in your life how much you appreciate her.
Think outside the brunch box with these Mother’s Day activities and gifts!
Treat Her to a Family Day Out
In all the hustle and bustle of a mom’s busy schedule, she may be missing out on some quality time with her family. Let her spend the day doing a fun activity with the people she loves most—you!
This could be a picnic in a local park, or a game day at home. Or, you could enjoy a family outing at a local event, like Barton Hill Farms’ Austin Spring Festival! Come by on May 1st and 2nd for an early treat, or visit on May 8th or 9th to celebrate on Mother’s Day weekend.
Schedule a Family Photo Shoot
Moms often lament that they’re never in photos because they’re always the ones standing behind the camera. Treat mom to a family photo shoot so she can have some beautiful pictures in her home that include the entire family.
Did you know you can hold your photo shoot at Barton Hill Farms? Hire a professional photographer and book a 2.5 hour photo session on Wednesday through Friday, starting May 5th! With our scenic flower fields and the Colorado River as the backdrop, this will be one photo shoot that mom will love.
Do Her Chores
What are some of the chores that mom does behind the scenes, day in and day out? Take care of some of them for her and let her relax instead. Even better if they’ll make her whole week easier, like going to the grocery store and meal prepping, or catching up on that laundry that never seems to end.
Send Her Off for a Little “Mom Time”
Some moms want to spend Mother’s Day basking in the adoration of their families. But some may also appreciate a little private time, especially if the kids are small and still need lots of attention!
Send mom off for a spa manicure, yoga class, or movie date with a mom friend. While she’s gone, clean up the house or start some laundry so she can come back rested to a cleaner home. Or start whipping up one of her favorite meals or desserts as a surprise.
Play Bartender and Treat Her to Happy Hour
As long as you’re 21+, why not treat mom to a few of her favorite cocktails? Set up a mimosa bar with champagne and some orange, cranberry, and pomegranate juice. Or whip up a refreshing Aperol Spritz and sit outside in the sun chatting. This tasty cocktail is tart and bubbly—just the thing for a day in early May.
Aperol Spritz Recipe
- 1.5 oz Aperol (an herbal Italian liqueur)
- 3 oz prosecco
- Club soda
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a wine glass about halfway with ice. Add Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of club soda. Stir gently with a spoon, and add an orange slice to the rim of the glass for garnish.
Sip and enjoy, and spend some time with your mom!
Take Her On An Adventure
Not all moms relish the idea of a day at the spa. If the mom in your life loves excitement, take her on an adventure! Get her heart pumping with ziplining or indoor skydiving. Or enjoy a more leisurely Mother’s Day activity, like a canoeing afternoon on a calm river or a bike ride in a nearby park.
Send Her Something Nice
If you can’t be together this Mother’s Day, send your mom a gift so she knows you were thinking about her. That could be a gorgeous flower arrangement, but you could also get creative!
How about arranging a special meal delivery from a local restaurant, or a few bottles of her favorite wine? With services like Postmates, you can send your mom nearly anything you can think of. You could also ship her a pampering gift box with everything she’ll need for an at-home spa day, like a face mask, bath bomb and cozy robe for some DIY self-care.
Let Her Watch Her Home Videos Again
Depending on mom’s age, her childhood or motherhood memories may be in a format that’s harder to access these days, like VHS or Hi-8 tape. If you have a box of old tapes sitting in the basement with no way to watch them, why not get them converted into digital format for her?
There are services that will take your tapes and create new MP4 versions for you, or you can do it yourself with a VCR and a USB-to-composite video converter. This is a beautiful gift that will let her relive her happy memories again!
Make a Video Card
A written card can be nice, but they often end up in the recycle bin. Instead, make a video card for mom. Ask everyone in the family to tell her how much she means to them and how much they appreciate her. Cut the footage together with a simple video editing app, and add one of her favorite songs for intro music. She’ll treasure it!
Take a Class Together
What does your favorite mom like to do for fun? Cooking, scrapbooking, gardening? Dancing, crafting, wood working?
Treat her to a class where she can improve her skills. Better yet, take the class with her so she can share what she loves with her favorite person!
Moms work so hard all year long to make sure their families are loved and supported. Sometimes we forget that behind all that selflessness is a person who needs to feel appreciated too. Consider what you know about the mother in your life to figure out what fun activities will speak to her and show how much you care.
Happy Mother’s Day!
