Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8th.  This is a day not only to honor your mother, but also the other important women who have made a difference in your life.  Sisters, grandmothers, stepmothers, aunts and even non-related mentors can all be on your list of people to make sure to include on your mother’s day list.  

Not sure how to honor your mom this year?  Want to do something a little different?  Read on for some great ideas from local businesses!

Clothes and Accessories

Most women love clothes and accessories, and your mom is probably no different!  Many women often neglect to buy themselves things they want, though, as they usually focus on others and put their own wants last.  That’s why giving this type of gift is such a treat for them!

“We have so many great items that would be perfect for Mother’s Day or for any mom just needing some ‘retail therapy’ any day of the week,” says Amy Zebert of Oolala! Boutique.  “Treat Mom to a new spring outfit complete with sassy shoes or flip flops, the hottest trends in jewelry and accessories to complement her look, unique gift items and fragrances as well as a new colorful handbag or cross-body and gift cards are always popular.”  She goes on to say that romantic looks with peasant tops and lots of lace are popular this spring, along with flared jeans, jumpsuits, floral print and stripes.  And for those moms who might not want clothing, Oolala! also has great wine accessories.

Ruth Hamlin from Miche Bag says, “We have bright colors, new wallets and the return of the cream base, making Miche Bags the ideal purse for summer.  The new mail bag strap for the mini Miche allows for hands-free fun while mom travels, shops or spends the night out on the town.”  She goes on to say, “Miche and More offers girls of all ages the thrill of playing dress-up by simply changing the cover of their handbag to suit their mood.  Or, better yet, why not have mother/daughter matching bags to really make a statement!”

Chaley Chandler from Chocolate Peacock states, “All the spring trends can be worn by mom, including ‘70s styles (wide leg pants, boho tops and maxi dresses), lace details, colors of coral, orange and red and tons of accessories like bracelets, big earrings and layers of necklaces.  My boutique likes to carry all the trends for each season, but we like to make sure that customers know to wear them all different ways—we always try and give options!  Also, my sister, mother and I are the ones that do the buying for the store.  My sister is 20, I am 30 and my mom is in her late 50s…if we all three like something, then we know it is a winner.  That way all ages can shop at Chocolate Peacock!”

“We have so many wonderful gift ideas for Mother’s Day,” says Susie Keuck from Nouvelle Eve.  “I think one of the best is a “finger print kit” by Prairie Creations. With this you can create a loved one’s finger print in sterling silver and wear it as a pendant on a necklace a charm bracelet, or any other way you can imagine. These are great for moms of any age. We also have the hand bag line, George-Gina & Lucy. This line has only been sold in the US for a short time and we have the largest selection in Nebraska. This line is gorgeous, durable, and unique and for the mom who has everything. Cotton and silk scarves are great, fit everyone and brighten up any outfit. Our scarves are bright, saturated colors and many are textured to add some dimension to any outfit. We carry several jewelry lines and many of them have special sentiments and meanings for you or your mom. Some of our favorites are Georgia Fletcher, Virgins – Saints and Angels, Love Heals, and Moon Glass. These lines are all hand crafted, meaning each piece is unique and very special.”

“Our new sandal collection is great for a mom-daughter shopping day because of all the new original beading and designs,” says Kim Vasey of Beyourself.  “We have great neutral colors for this spring season as well as corals and teals that would match the great dazzling/unique jewelry we always carry and would be perfect gifts for Mom!  The main mission statement of our boutique is self-esteem for young girls and women.  Because of this main statement, Beyourself would be a great mom-daughter shopping experience.  We encourage mothers and daughters to embrace the bright colors of the season and stop into Beyourself to see what we have to offer!”

Bella Boutique also has some great ideas for Mom.  Kami suggests a new pair of flip flops, an off the shoulder shirt, or a dress.  “We just got in some really cute S-Twelve dresses that look great with leggings,” she said, “and nobody can beat the price of our bling jeans!”

Salon and Spa Services

Salon and Spa Services are a great way to pamper Mom on her special day.  Lance of Urbane Salon and Day Spa says, “We offer a variety of packages available to meet any lifestyle for Mother’s Day. Also, when you purchase a gift certificate of $100 or more, receive a complementary Aveda gift! Some of our packages include the Day of Bliss (60 min Elemental Nature Massage, 60 min Elemental Facial, Caribbean Therapy Spa Manicure, Caribbean Therapy Spa Pedicure and light lunch, four hours for $265), the Sweet Heart (couples 30 min Elemental Nature Massage, Couples 30 min Elemental Facial, side-by-side foot relieving manicure, side-by-side hand relieving pedicure and a light lunch, 3 ½ hours for $360) and the Just for Fun (haircut and style, Aveda makeup application, and hand relieving manicure, two hours for $100).”

“Mother’s Day is a great time to show Mom and the other special ladies in your life how much you appreciate all that they do for you and yours,” says Dan from Massage Heights.  “At times, even moms get stressed out, and what better way to show them you care than by giving them the gift of massage to melt away stress, pamper them or just show you care.

Massage Heights is offering a Mother’s Day package, which includes three one-hour massages and a mother’s day bouquet for only $169.99.  If you want to make the day even more special, book the couples room and experience the gift of relaxation together.  This is a great option for couples or Mothers and daughters.”

Taking Mom Out to Eat

Taking Mom out to eat on Mother’s Day is always a great way to show her you care because you’re not only giving her a great meal, but you’re also spending quality time with her.  Cooking her a meal is always nice, but taking her out to a wonderful restaurant with special Mother’s Day meal gives it that extra special feel.

There are a number of great restaurants in town that offer great Mother’s Day options.  One is Fleming’s Fine Steakhouse and Wine Bar.  They are offering a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11:30 am-3 pm on Mother’s Day, which includes a three course meal for $32.95 (which includes a $25 dining card for a future evening out for your mom).

The Most Important Gift of All…Time

If you really get down to it, there is usually one gift that is appreciated above all others—the gift of time.  In most cases, we don’t spend enough time with those we love and Moms are certainly no exception.  Whether your mom lives across the street or across the country, it’s likely that she would love to spend more time with you and would consider that the greatest gift of all.  Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also get her a gift, but pairing the gift with some one-on-one time is the ultimate in gift giving.  Here are some ideas on how to do it.

Take Mom out to dinner  We’ve already mentioned taking Mom out for a meal, but make sure you are really taking some time to spend with her while you dine.  Pick her up and drive together, linger over a glass of wine or a perfect dessert, chat about your lives and catch each other up on what’s been going on.  After dinner, consider going out for a drink, a movie or just back home for some cards or a board game.

Take Mom shopping  Whether or not shopping is your thing, your mom would probably love being taken on a little shopping ‘spree’ by you.  Visit some of the area’s local boutiques that she may not be aware of (especially if she doesn’t live in the area).  Let her pick out her own gift or pick something up that you see she’s had her eye on.  Follow up with a light lunch or dinner for a great mother-daughter day of fun!

Have a spa or salon day together  How much fun would it be to get pedicures next to Mom while you have some girl talk or relax together with side-by-side massages?  When you get pampered with Mom, you BOTH get a gift and you get the bonus of spending quality time together as well.  You can pair this with a little shopping or some lunch afterward for a perfectly relaxing day.

Mother’s Day only comes around once a year, and make sure you’re taking the opportunity to show Mom and the other important women in your life how much they mean to you.  There are a number of local businesses that can help you pick out that perfect gift for your mom and when you pair that with a heartfelt card and the gift of some quality time, you’ll have a day both of you will cherish for years to come.