Mother's Day is less than a week away. With that in mind ParenThots has come up with a list of gift ideas for mum. Dads and kids, read on. Mums, get your hubbies and kids to read this.
1) Time alone with hubby and kids.
Generally, most mums are happy to just spend time alone with their husband and kids. This doesn't mean that you should let the day pass without doing anything special. Dads and kids should make it a point to plan a lunch or dinner and make a day of it by including some activity that mum enjoys, perhaps a shopping spree or a spa treat.
Dads, make sure you plan this one and don't leave it up to mum to plan her own Mother's Day celebration!
If cost is a factor, then either celebrate Mother's Day on the eve of the occasion, or even just try cooking up something yourself and with the kids. Make sure you clean up the kitchen after that though and don't let mum wash the dishes or have to deal with a messy kitchen!
2) Spa and massage.
Not many women would say no to a spa treat – massage, foot rub, manicure and pedicure. Give mum some time off from taking care of the home, hubby and kids by giving her at least an hour of relaxation at the spa.
It need not be something expensive. There are the spa treats that last about two hours and cost in the hundreds, and then there are the neighbourhood massages which are cheaper (but do check out that they're authentic and not offering other “services” instead!
3) 'Me' time.
Dads, if your wife is looking overly worn out and in need of some time away from work, you and the kids, then maybe you can plan for her to have some alone time. Take care of the kids for the day and give your wife the day off to do anything and everything she wants to. She might just opt to spend the day with you, but the gesture will nonetheless be very much appreciated. Or she might take you up on the offer and spend time with her siblings or friends or just whiling the time away on her own, putting her feet up and reading a good book!
4) Holiday time.
Who doesn't enjoy a holiday? Dads, here's your chance to give your wife that holiday she's always wanted. Whisk her off for a quick “second honeymoon” in Phuket or Bali. Or, even somewhere within the country like Redang Island. It's time to spend some time romancing your wife again. She will definitely enjoy the attention and the relaxing time away from the normal routine. Be sure to do all the planning and use this Mother's Day to present it to her.
5) Do the cooking.
If you're a bit more ambitious, try spoiling your wife and the kids with a week of home cooked food. Yes, cooked by you, not your mum, sister or ordered from the catering company. Unless of course, you're a really bad cook. In which case, don't attempt this one.
6) Vouchers.
Get some art paper and make your own set of “gift” vouchers. Each voucher could be valid for things like “1 Free Pass from Washing Dishes”, “1 Free Pass from Cleaning the House” or even “Get a day off from taking care of the kids”. It could be anything you can think of and which you know your wife will enjoy. Make sure you write the vouchers clearly and put in any terms and conditions that seem fair.
7) Book of memories.
If you want something more tangible, then get cracking on compiling photos of you and your wife from the time you met, include the photos of the kids as they were through the years. If the kids are big enough, rope them in to help you with this “book of memories”. Instead of just having photos in the book, include letters or notes written by you and the kids telling your wife how much she means to you. If you do it well, she will be moved to tears.
8) Have a performance.
If your wife has a favourite performer or show, try taking her out for that. It could be something at Istana Budaya or KLPac (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre). If there's nothing good on now, try getting the kids involved in putting on a little show for her. Charm her with your singing, the kids' dancing and throw in some jokes just for fun. She's bound to enjoy it, knowing you've put in a lot of effort.
Mother's Day should be a joyful celebration, honouring mum. Remember, she is the queen on May 12. If you always celebrate with the other and more senior mums in your family, don't forget to also do something special for your wife/mum.
She deserves to have her own celebration rather than be lumped with other mums for a communal family celebration, even if it means celebrating a day earlier.
This Mother's Day, let that special mum in your life know how extraordinary she is and how much she is appreciated.
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