Another Mother’s Day approaches (Sunday, May 9 for you sentimental types). What should feel like a celebration to the amazing woman who kissed away hurts, supported fantastical dreams and endured willful tantrums sometimes instead turns into the obligatory family get together-each a repeat of the one last year. This year, why not be selfish-for mom-and do things for her that she may never do for herself.
Instead of the humdrum thank you, show mom your gratitude in a way that suits her personality, giving her a gift she truly will cherish. Below are gift ideas to get the juices flowing to find gifts that honor mom’s personality. As an added bonus, all products are available locally and made by Colorado companies-so your quest for that just right feeling for mom also will support our local economy.
The Pampered Mom
You know her: Spa days and bathing rituals make her face light up like she did the day you were born. She also is the one who helps inspire Denver designer and entrepreneur, Margot Elena, a to create amazing bath and body products that stimulate the senses. Delighting the eyes with beauty while transporting the spirit with luxurious and exotic scents, Elena’s products will leave the spa mom dazzled with a sense of joy and wonderment.
From Tokyo Milk’s (www.tokyomilk.com) urbane, sophisticated packaging and products to match; to Love and Toast (www.loveandtoast.com) – with its fresh, flirty look at perfumed frivolity, Elena’s products will have the spa mom bewildered with delight. Romantic moms will enjoy the intricate detail and splendor of Elena’s Lollia brand and its ode to days gone by (www.lollialife.com)
The Foodie Mom
Foodie moms forgo personal comfort for the warmth of watching us savor their latest culinary creations. From down home delights like chicken pot pie to her latest barely-pronounceable French creations, foodie moms deserve to get as good as they give.
In comes Carmen’s Kitchen-an Aurora-based English toffee company started by Denver mom Carmen Massop. Originally from the former British colony of Jamaica, Massop infuses these traditional creations with love, making them a specialty of seismic proportions. Massop’s “mouth watering English Toffee,” is available in gluten free and nut-free selections, along with traditional selections of walnut, pecan and almond. I promise, any foodie mom will appreciate the dedication that shows in these treats. www.carmenstoffee.com
For foodies who prefer to create their own delicacies, Basalt, Colorado based Iota has the answer. Designer Kelly Alford uses her skill in design to create wonderfully engaging palettes that practically jump off the paper or in this case, the apron. Typically designing for stationery items, Alford recently melded her love of fabric with her vocation, cooking up a new line of culinary inspired aprons, oven mitts and dish towels to go along with recipe storage boxes and kitchen organization tools that may make mom sing for supper. (www.everyiota.com)
The Health Nut Mom
Colorado native Shawn Phillips is dedicated to helping people live “above the baseline,” a mantra the healthful mom surely can understand. Phillips might be a reluctant fitness guru, but with the success of his fitness book “Strength for Life” and development of a premium performance nutrition shake he’s a guru none-the-less.
Committed to helping others create vital, meaningful lives full of energy and purpose, so rather than promoting the diet-of-the-day, Phillips’ philosophy is to reframe our relationship with health, nutrition and food. He spent a fortune in time, energy and cash to develop a nutrition shake that supplies the body with a “nearly perfect balance of proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. This balance actually helps create vital cellular energy to enhance physical and mental performance throughout the day. Though the label says “for men,” Phillips insists this nutrition shake is so good, it’s practically an essential for women as well. (www.fullstrength.com)
The Stylish Mom
Now for the stylish mom, you may call me a bit biased, as they are designs I created with local seamstresses for my company–Simply Alive! The goal: Develop stylish organization tools to orchestrate life, and I’m thrilled at the results.
Launched at the American Music Awards last November, the line is called Symphony of Life (After all, life is a symphony-why not orchestrate in style?), and includes performers from the current television show among its fans.
From Kindle covers to diaper/laptop bags, yoga bags, purses, and unique day planner systems (including one for Blackberry, iPhone and electronic calendar users) there are 22 coordinated designs to suit practically every mom’s style.
Whether your mom is a foodie or health nut, pampered or organized mom – take time this Mother’s Day to be selfish for her. Think about what she likes, wants or needs, and create, find or make a gift to fit her personality-one that she truly will treasure.
Doni Luckutt is a writer, author and speaker who believes by increasing interpersonal connection, we can stop simply living, and become Simply Alive! If you have a suggestion on what brings you to life, connect with her on Twitter @SimplyAlive, via email Doni@SimplyAliveWorld.com or on her blog: www.SimplyAliveWorld.com/Blog.
