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Mother's Day is less than a week away, and you may be brainstorming ideas about how to make the day extra special for your mom.
Just like every kid is different, so is every mama. Some might want to spend time chilling, while others might want to set out on an adventure.
Whatever you land on, your mom's bound to appreciate the thought and effort you put into making the day memorable.
Here are 5 ways to make this Mother's Day one for the books
1. Start a yearly tradition of whatever your heart tells you to do
The first week of every May, right before Mother's Day, we go to a park by our house and my husband takes the same photo of me with my twins sitting on the same bench.
Taking a picture in the same spot each year is an easy and fun way to see how we change year to year. As timing would have it, we just went and took this annual photo a couple of days ago.
This stems from something I had a lot of fun doing while I was pregnant with my twins. Each week, I'd dress up as something somehow related to whatever size the babies were that week.
The week they were born, my app said each baby was the size of the box of chocolates from Forrest Gump...
The week they were born, my app said each baby was the size of the box of chocolates from Forrest Gump, so the photo we have turned into a tradition has us dressed up as similar as we can to Tom Hanks' famous character.
Forrest Gump is one of my all-time favorite movies, so it makes me quite happy that this has turned into our fun picture we take each year. I guess, in this case, we ALWAYS know what we're gonna get...a photo together on that bench.
And as we look back on our photos throughout the years, we can compare how my little boxes of chocolates have blossomed into my dear, little sweeties.
2. Help her plan out her garden or go flower shopping together
If your mom loves gardening, help her plan out her flowers. Remind her that the secret to a spectacular showcase is the right combination of thrillers, fillers, and spillers.
Or, head to your local greenhouse and go shopping together. I always make sure to grab extra flowers to fill out planters to place around the deck and our front entrance.
For Mother's Day, the perfect arrangement would include an array of Mums (Chrysanthemums), which would look gorgeous in these planters that are as golden as your dear mother's love for her offspring.
CosmoLiving by Cosmopolitan Metal Indoor / Outdoor Planter with Removable Stand, Set of 2
This two-pot set includes two ornate, round gold metal planters. These contemporary pots are made of iron and have drainage holes, so they're perfect for indoor and outdoor use. One pot is 11 inches wide by 15 inches tall, and the other is 8 inches wide by 14 inches tall. Their matte, perforated finish and slender black legs (which are removable, by the way, in case you like the look of a shorter, fuller planter) help them fit into any aesthetic.
If you want to add the element of surprise, put together an arrangement all your own. Design a planter with the pretty blossoms you see and choose the ones that remind you of your mom. Then, tell her why you chose the ones you did. It'll be sure to tug at her heartstrings as she watches them blossom and grow.
Once you find the perfect spot for your planter outdoors, throw an "impromptu" garden party with fancy drinks on the patio to celebrate that spring has sprung.
3. Embrace your ancestry and trace back your family tree
This one may take a bit of planning ahead of time, but any work you put in can unearth some pretty incredible family roots. Take some time to trace back the branches of your family tree together.
I recently learned my family tree on one side can be traced all the way back to 1707, which is pretty incredible. The work that went into this project was intense, but oh-so worthwhile.
I recently learned my family tree on one side can be traced all the way back to 1707, which is pretty incredible.
Depending on the detail of the records your family members keep, this could turn into a massive project that will take way longer than one day with your mom, but it'll be something you can start on and continually work on together.
You will create something that each of you will remember forever.
The history you'll uncover, the stories you'll hear, and the photos you'll unveil will be very special and meaningful. The hunt for information can lead to precious quality time spent with family members who can help with this labor of love.
The work you put into this project is something you'll be able to share with your family and pass down to your children...
The work you put into this project is something you'll be able to share with your family and pass down to your children, who will be happy to have a record of their family history to reference as they get older. If you don't pass it down, how will they know where they came from?
The below workbook is similar to a family history book my husband's granny put together for us many years ago. It's a cherished keepsake that we look back on and reference often.
Our Family Tree: A Generational History Book
This family tree book allows you to input your generational history to have a record keepsake that you can pass down to future generations. It has spots to add in photos as well as citizenship and immigration records.
4. Cook a family recipe that was passed down to you by your mom
Whenever a special occasion comes up, I pull out my cookbook and flip it to the well-worn page that houses a timeless recipe. Imperial cookies are my go-to. They're a lot of work, but the spark of excitement I see in my family members' eyes when they see what I've whipped up makes it all worthwhile.
The top reason I make Imperials, though, is because I know my mom holds a special place in her heart for these cookies.
The top reason I make Imperials, though, is because I know my mom holds a special place in her heart for these cookies. I do, too. I have happy memories of going out to the lake with my grandma in the summertime and stopping to pick up freshly baked Imperial cookies on the way.
And my mom revisits happy memories when I make these cookies because they remind her of her own grandma. She says the ones I make are exactly like the ones her grandma used to make when she was growing up.
Now that I have children of my own, I carry on the tradition of making these cookies for special occasions.
I like to encourage my twins to have fun with me while we do it, so we don our chef's hats, put on a fun playlist, and make happy memories while we bake up a storm.
Juvale 24-Pack Chef Hats for Kids & Adults
These disposale bakery hats are adjustable and immediately up the fun level in the kitchen when you put them on.
5. Set up a scavenger hunt that ends with a picnic at the park
Put together a set of clues that lead to one another and hide them around the house and your yard.
Have it set up so that the hunt ends with a family picnic at a nearby park or going to your mom's favorite local place for ice cream, coffee, or whatever treat she likes.
We took our twins for a picnic at the park when they were four months old and it's still one of our fondest memories from those early days with our newborns.
We took our twins for a picnic at the park when they were four months old and it's still one of our fondest memories from those early days with our newborns.
The sheer idea seemed totally bonkers at the time, but we made it happen and had a great time while the babies had a great sleep and got some fresh air.
If you plan a picnic outing, I highly suggest getting a picnic basket like the one below. It comes with an insulated cooler compartment, a waterproof blanket, napkins, plates, cutlery, and glasses for a family of four...perfect for your outing!
HappyPicnic Wicker Basket Set
This picnic basket is picture-perfect. It comes with place settings for four, including melamine plates, cutlery, glasses, napkins. It also has a cooler compartment and comes with a waterprofo blanket.
Make memories together
There are many ways you can make Mother's Day memorable for the mother figure in your life.
Do something, no matter how big or small, and remind yourself that you've got the rest of the year to make sure you continue making lifelong memories together.
Embrace those moments. Embrace those moms. Embrace those memories.
And when thinking about what you can do to surprise the lovely lady in your life, remember this: you can't spell "momentous" without "mom."
What was the most memorable thing you did with your kids or your mom for Mother's Day? What made it so special? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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