It happens every year, you waited until the last minute, and now with supply chain issues or time constraints, that gift you had planned to get the Mom in your life won’t get here on time. What are you going to do? Never fear, here are some last minute ideas from some of our local moms that will go over well, no matter the Mom or the budget.
House Cleaning: Take some of the weight off of Mom. Pick up a daily/weekly/monthly task, and actually do it or splurge on a gift certificate for a deep cleaning at the beginning of the year. Have a compulsive cleaning Mom who’s super particular about the way things are done, or truly LIKES to clean and organize? Gift her time to clean the way she wants to without interruptions; aka take the kids and go away.
Laundry: Trying to figure out what to do to help the new Mom in your life? When you come over to visit, fold a load of laundry while having an adult conversation. Same goes for any mom; wash, fold, and put away. Teenagers in the house? The gift of doing your own laundry for a month, might make Mom cry (in a good way). Want to splurge? Check out the laundry services near you, there are usually bulk options (by the pound). They will wash, press, and fold, then deliver back to your house.
Cars: I don’t know about anyone else, but my Mom Mobile takes a beating. Between snacks, shoes, stripped clothes, sand, and forgotten cups that I never take in because my hands are always full of something or someone, let’s just say the inside of my car could use some TLC. Having someone clean out my car, vacuum, and add a “pretty little tree” would be awesome. Or, if you want to go the professional route, a gift certificate for a mobile detailer would be an option too.
Arts and Crafts: Have that Mom who loves to create, but might not always make the time? Get her a gift card to your local glass art studio, paint and sip, or even try booking a sandcastle building class. Bonus points if you go, too.
Food: It gets old trying to figure out what to make for dinner everyday, only to have the littles in your life change their minds at the last minute, and demand Mac and Cheese. Check out some of the local (and not so local) pre-made food delivery services, or try your hand making a freezer meal yourself. The Mom in your life will thank you.
Childcare: You honestly can’t go wrong here. Offer your childcare services so Mom can get things done, shop, run, volunteer, go to the beach for more than 30 min, or go to dinner somewhere without a kids menu.
Speaking of going to dinner and shopping…
Gift cards: I know. Most people find them an impersonal gift. But sometimes, just knowing what the Mom in your life likes, and giving her the opportunity to get exactly what she wants, and not what you think she wants, is refreshing. Restaurant gift cards are great; couple that with your childcare services too, and you just scored favorite gift status. Also, most gift cards have an online print option, so even if you wait until 3:00 am Christmas morning, you can still make something festive; just cut off the timestamp.
My favorite last minute gift suggestion:
A Yes Day for Mom: Yes. This is a gift. Make something, anything, that says Yes Day. Could be an ornament for the tree, or a rain check lottery ticket of sorts that she can call in. On the day she calls it in, the entire family has to say “Yes” for a day. Sleeping in? Yes. Family pictures without complaints? Yes. Uninterrupted conversations? Yes. Brunch? Yes. Teenager has to cuddle with you for an undisclosed amount of time? Double Yes. You get the idea. Give Mom what she wants, even if it’s just more time to be with those she loves.
Hope these last minute gift ideas were all you needed them to be. Keep on keeping on, Happy Holidays, and Happier Parenting!!!
