Did you know Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day back around the Civil War times? And interestingly, Memorial Day only became a federal holiday in 1971. Every year at 3:00 p.m. local time a moment of remembrance is held throughout the country.

Decoration Day

Decoration Day was established in 1862 to honor the war veterans of The Civil War, which claimed more lives than any war or conflict in U.S. history. May 30th was chosen because there was no anniversary of any battle on that day.

Memorial Day

The Memorial Day holiday evolved (due to the U.S. involvement in World War I) to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. May 30th also evolved to become the last Monday in May so that federal employees could have a three-day weekend.

Memorial Day is commemorated with parades, visiting cemeteries and memorials. And people use this time to get together with friends and family, and welcome the beginning of summer.

Enjoy your Memorial Day and Thank You to our men and women serving, or who have served, this great nation.

1. Poems for Mom: Write out a poem for Mom – there are many to choose from here

2. Personalized card: Give Mom a personal card. Download and print here for free

3. Fill up her Tank and Wash her Car: Why not borrow her car and fill up the tank and check the tires, and while you are at it, wash her car, inside and out!

4. Cook Mom a Meal: There are lots of great recipies here for Brunch, dinner and meals the kids can help you make

5. Give Mom a Personalized Coupon: You can print out here and fill in what you want to give: ideas like Breakfast in Bed, Empty the Dishwasher, a Complaint free Hike!

6. Set up a Virtual Reunion: You can set up a family reunion conference. Use Skype or set up a reunion with one of the free services such as Free Conference Call

7. Make Mom a Recipe Book/Binder: Go to a recipe site such as Recipe.com and print out some recipes that you think she can and would like to make and give her a recipe inder (with a nice cover)

8. Give Mom A Custom Made Song: At Custom Made Songs you can download a song, and print out a cover, put it on the CD, print the lyric sheet and you have a lovely gift in no time

9. Make Mom a Playlist for her iPod or iPhone: Mom is probably pretty tired of the same old songs on her device, so why not introduce her to some new music. She will always be thinking of you when she listens

10. Give her an eBook: At virtually no cost (and many are free). Far from The Madding Crowd is a new movie and a great novel – you can download it for just .99c here

There are many more ideas on our last Minute Gift Ideas page – check it out and don’t worry – you still have time to give Mom a really personal and unique gift. Visit our Last Minute Gift Ideas here.

Enjoy!

Yes there is still time to give Mom a long lasting gift of a plant that she can enjoy indoors or on the patio or porch.

Orchids

These exotic plants feel so special – and this particular arrangement combines white, lavender and miniature green orchids into one potted planter. The river rocks finish off the arrangement to provide Mom a Zen experience! There is still time to receive this beautiful arrangement directly here.

Succulents

Speaking of Zen, succulents are easy to care for and long lasting (and don’t need a lot of water for our Californian friends).

This arrangement is in a bamboo container, with river rocks and a tall bamboo to accentuate the exotic nature of these plants.

Order in time for Mother’s Day And she will enjoy for years to come.

Hydrangeas

So lovely, bold and colorful. This hydrangea arrives in a charming white planter.

This beautiful blue (or pink) plant will lighten up any corner in a room.

You can order for Mom directly here and enjoy the beauty of these gorgeous flowers for a very long time.

Azaleas

How can you go wrong with Azaleas, they brighten any home.

Mom will love receiving these long lasting flowers. To order her sweet Azaleas click here to go directly to the order page.

There are many gorgeous plants that will remind her of you and bring back fond memories of her special day.

Click here to find more long lasting plants.

Enjoy!

Share Your Favorites

Do you have a favorite plant to give to loved ones? Please share it below.

There are all sorts of really unique ideas that show how much you care about Mom. Here are a few and we will post some more tomorrow. You can give these gifts with a special card, even print out one of our free printable cards so you can make it more personal.

Charity Donation in Mom’s Name

Does Mom have a favorite charity? Many charities allow you to make a donation is someone else’s name. We’ve linked to AmeriCares here, but there are literally thousands of charities out there that are worth your attention.
Be sure you make the donation “In honor of”, or just tell Mom what you’ve done by noting it in the Mother’s Day card you give her.

Customized Cell Phone Screensaver

Create a personalized cell phone screensaver for Mom. There are many selections and it is easy to do – here are two that we have linked to:
• Red Dodo provides online templates you may easily customize with your own text. Then you simply download to Mom’s cellphone.
• Download a program like Mobile Saver (Softpedia). The program guides you in creating a cell phone screensaver from the photos and transitions you choose.

A Classic Novel in the Palm of her Hand

Find an affordable flash drive for under $30. Then download a classic novel or biography onto the drive.

Mom can simply plug the drive into a computer and access PDF files of copyright-free works. Search for classics like Far from the Madding Crowd, Moby Dick, Wuthering Heights, or the biography of Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

Mom’s Own Domain Name

Register you Mom’s first and last name as a .com, .org, or .net.

If she has a common name that is already registered, think of a phrase that describes who she is and what she likes.

Then show Mom how she can use her new domain. She can start a blog for example, but don’t forget to help her by setting up free blogging software like WordPress.

For more great last minute ideas that wont break the bank click here.

Enjoy!

While candy has been around hundreds of years, with people using fruits and nuts rolled in sweet honey, the candy we know today can be traced to the middle-ages, when sugar started to be manufactured. However sugar was so expensive that only the rich could afford candy.

Sugar Production

By the mid-1800’s the cost of manufacturing sugar was considerably reduced and as a result candy became popular. There were over 400 factories in the U.S. producing candy as early as the 1850’s!

Candy Derives from the Arabic

The word candy derives from the Arabic “quandi” which means something made with sugar. The nuts, seeds, flowers and fruits rolled in honey are examples of the earliest confectionery made in the Middle East, Egypt, Greece and Italy. Liquorice and even marshmallows were candy, and jam preserves also became a sort of candy.

Medicinal Lineage

Candy was actually used for medicinal purposes first to assist with digestion. If you think of peppermint sticks and cough drops, these are descended from this tradition. The diet in the Middle Ages was not fresh or well-balanced resulting in a strong desire for the therapeutic candies!

Maple Syrup, Almonds and Milk

Maple syrup candy became popular in America along with marzipan which is made from almonds. What catapulted candy into mass popularity was the discovery of milk chocolate in Switzerland in 1875: after that there was no turning back and the American candy bar was born!

Giving Mom the gift of candy and fruit dates back hundreds of years. You can order some wonderful candy here and there is still time to give these wonderful platters to her for Mother’s Day.

Enjoy!

Plants make an excellent gift for Mother’s Day. With a little care Mom can enjoy her plant for years and years. You can give her an exotic Bonsai Tree or a gorgeous, luscious plant.

A Living Organism

Plants have been around for millions of years. In fact, if plants had never evolved we would not be able to breathe, so you could say that giving Mom a plant is giving her the most important living organism on earth!

Only the green parts of the plant help us breathe because they contain chlorophyll. The process is called photosynthesis and basically when carbon dioxide, water and sunlight work together they form sugars and oxygen which then are let out into the air.

The oxygen is also stored in the leaves and eaten by animals and humans.

Plants Have So Many Attributes

Plants have been used as medicines for thousands of years and helped us understand gravity when Isaac Newton saw an apple fall in 1665.

So when you admire the beautiful plant you give Mom, remember that the plant’s leaves are actually busily working away producing oxygen. You can order her plant here and receive a discount too.

Enjoy!

Lilies, like so many other flowers we have featured on our blog are steeped in history and mythology.

The Lily: Jealousy, Chastity and Purity:

Fossils have been traced from millions of years ago back to prehistoric times. They are also found in Greek and Roman Mythology; according to the Romans, Venus – the goddess of love and beauty was jealous of the lily’s beauty. The Minoan civilization considered the lily sacred.

The lily is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments and became the symbol of purity and chastity in Christianity.

Known for Their Extraordinary Scent:

The lily has been depicted in art, music, books and tapestries from the 1600’s as an expression of feelings, rituals and beautifying the area. In the Victorian-era the flower was an important accent to one’s appearance and the scent was used to perfume a handkerchief.

Magical Qualities?

There are over 270,000 species of lilies grown in Asia, Europe and North America. Many British explorers searched Asia for new species both for medicinal purposes but also for their beauty. They are loved for the gorgeous large flowers and strong scent. But they were also thought to have magical qualities, used for treating fevers, wounds and other illnesses back in the Elizabethan-era in England.

A Most Perfumed Bouquet

If you want to give Mom a beautiful bouquet with an incredible scent order her flowers today and remember that they date back millions of years, even before Venus! You can view many bouquets of lilies here.

Enjoy!

Did you know that carnations bloom in almost every color of the rainbow except blue?

It’s Official

The scarlet carnation is the official state flower of Ohio, the national flower of Spain, and – it is the official flower of Mother’s Day! Anna Jarvis founded Mother’s Day (1914) and chose the carnation because it was the favorite flower of her mother.

Pink Carnations Connote Gratitude

There are over 300 species and they been cultivated for over 2,000 years, but their history goes back even further. Different colors of carnations connote different emotions: for example dark red carnations are associated with love, white carnations with purity, pink carnations with gratitude.

Edible and Drinkable

Not only are carnations edible, but their petals are used to make Chartreuse. So as a creative idea this Mother’s day you can put the petals into ice cubes and serve very pretty drinks. Because they are edible they are used for decorations in salads and cakes.

Carnations, Chartreuse and a Kiss

Why not pull this all together and give Mom beautiful carnations (remember pink connotes gratitude, red, love); a bottle of Chartreuse and a loving kiss. Be sure to explain the history of the regal carnation. We are sure she will be impressed.

And right now all flowers are 50% off– there is still time to order your gorgeous bouquet of carnations for Mom.

Orchids have always seemed exotic and have been the object of intrigue for centuries. They were thought to have magical cures, even cures for sexual problems due to their similarity in appearance to a certain part of the human anatomy.

Aphrodisiac Qualities

The Ancient Greeks believed that the orchid roots had aphrodisiac qualities and would cure reproductive problems. In 1640 a Botanist wrote that if “a man ate a large orchid tuber, he would begat many children”.

Medicine and Flavoring

The Ancient Chinese and Japanese used orchids as medicine which you can see in some of the earliest paintings and vases. And in India they made a drink out of orchid roots. In fact Vanilla is derived from the seed pods of orchids.

The Royal Family of Plants

Orchids are known as “The Royal Family of Plants” and can now be successfully cultivated at home. If you think your Mom would like an orchid (and who wouldn’t) she can maintain the orchid and be rewarded by her efforts.

Over 35,000 Species for Millions of Years

Orchids have been in existence for millions of years; there are over 35,000 different species of orchid around the world, except in Antarctica, and over 300,000 hybrids registered.

An Expert in Pollination

Orchids specialize in pollination – They mimic other species to attract pollination such as bees and butterflies. They also have scent they exude at night and the illusion of moisture that lures insects in to assist in pollination.

Insects, hummingbirds, small mammals, bats and the wind all contribute to orchid’s reproductive success.

Order Mom an orchid today and tell her a little bit of the history.

Share a memory: silly, funny, serious, whatever you like and we will post five stories on our website

Who doesn’t have a story (or two) to tell about growing up with mom? And in celebration of Mother’s Day, we’d like to hear those stories!

It’s a chance to share your memory with others and if your story is chosen, you could show your Mom, because we will share our top 5 picks on our website.

You can read one of the entries in the original blog post.

Stories will be judged on the basis of their overall appeal and uniqueness. Just post your story on the blog. We look forward to hearing from you.

Entries must be received through our Website by Wednesday, May 6, 2015.

Iris is named after the Greek messenger of the gods. She had golden wings and travelled on a rainbow – Iris means rainbow in Greek.

Irises – years old

Like so many gorgeous flowers, Irises harken back thousands of years ago, first documented in Egypt and Syria where irises grew in abundance. King Thutmose III of Egypt loved irises so much he had them immortalized in sculptures and temples.

Arrival of Irises in America

The earliest documentation of irises in America dates back to the 1600’s when the early settlers journeyed from Europe. But it is thought that irises arrived in the new world as early as 1492 with Columbus. To this day, the fleur-de-lis (a stylized lily or iris) is the emblem of New Orleans and the iris is the official State Cultivate Flower of Tennessee.

Today, North America enjoys three groups of irises: the Pacific Coast Irises, the Louisiana Irises and the Blue Flag Irises.

Flower Arrangements and Perfume

Irises are especially popular in Japanese flower arrangements and they are also the source of orrisroot from which violet perfume is made.

Fleur-de-lis

Irises are adored the world over, in Japan, Egypt, France, Italy, Spain, Holland and other European countries. In 1376 King Charles V of France, applied three fleur-de-lis to his coat of arms, and the iris is still the fleur-de-lis of the French royalist standard. In the 19th century the iris became the emblem of Florence, Italy.

As you think about your flower choice, why not order irises and ask the kids to paint rainbows or do some chalk art, and you can let Mom know how rainbows, Greek Goddesses and Irises are all connected. Order your irises here and not only enjoy the beauty and history of the iris but receive 50% off your order.

Enjoy!

The name Lilac comes from Western Europe meaning “purple”. They are in abundance in Iran and Turkey and are called the “Fox Tail”. Lilacs are part of the olive family.

Lilacs Come From The Balkans

Lilacs can be traced back to Europe, to the Balkan countries and were greatly admired for their beauty and incredible fragrance.

Their presence in Turkey started, most likely, with shepherds carrying the plants back to their homelands, including Istanbul, from more northern parts of Europe. In the 1500’s lilacs were considered a plant worthy of being presented in court in Austria and in Paris. As a result, they became very popular throughout Europe.

A Plant for the Who’s Who

When they first arrived in Western Europe, lilacs were rare. Only important people had them in their gardens. For a time, the posh and well-connected boasted of the lilac variants that grew in their gardens.

Lilacs became a popular garden plant among the colonists in America. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson loved the plant and grew it in their estates. Jefferson even wrote about his personal method of growing lilacs in his garden book. Artists and poets loved the plant and used its imagery in their works.

An Early Bloomer

Lilacs aren’t just popular because they smell nice. They also bloom before most other summer flowers. While the rose is still budding, the lilac is in full show. They typically grow as large shrubs or small trees.

A Medicinal Marvel

Lilacs have been used in many medicinal applications since they were first cultivated. They were also used to help people remove intestinal worms and recover from malaria. Some studies revealed that it might have anti-fever properties. The flowers are edible, too, though a tad bitter.

More Than Just Purple

Although the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is synonymous with a shade of purple, it also comes in a broad array of colors. Some lilacs are pale, ranging from mauve to white.

Others come in a bright light blue to a rich magenta. Each color has taken on a new meaning. Blue lilacs symbolize happiness. White lilacs mean purity. The shade associated with the flower itself symbolizes a first love.

Shower Her with Flowers

A bouquet of fragrant lilacs is the perfect gift for the who’s who of your life. Don’t wait until a special occasion. Remind your mother that she was your first love by ordering a lovely arrangement of lilacs today.

Do you have a favorite story about Mom?

Updated May 7, 2015 – Thank you Barbara, Charlotte, Laura, Laural and Clark for sharing your touching stories. We really enjoyed reading all the sweet memories submitted. We wish you and everyone a very Happy Mother’s Day.

What son or daughter doesn’t have a story (or two) to tell about growing up with mom?

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’d like to hear those stories! It’s your chance to share your story with others and if your story is chosen, you could show your Mom, because we will share our top 5 picks on our website.

Your Story

Just tell us in 300 words or less your favorite story about Mom – something special, heroic, or just plain sweet, that your mother did for you when you were growing up.

Five stories, chosen by our staff, will be published on our Web site.

Stories will be judged on the basis of their overall appeal, uniqueness and quality of writing. Just post your story on the blog. We look forward to hearing from you.

Entries must be received through our Website by Wednesday, May 6, 2015.

Looking forward to reading your stories.

Greeting Cards have been bringing joy for over 100 years

History of Greeting Cards

• Hallmark Cards, Inc. was started in 1910 in Kansas City, MO by a young man from Nebraska named Joyce Hall. Even to this day it is still run by the grandsons of the Nebraska gentleman.
• American Greetings Corp. has also been in existence for over 100 years started by a young Polish immigrant in Cleveland, OH. Jacob Sapirstein founded the company in 1906.

Penny Postcards

How did these companies become so successful with cards? They started with penny postcards featuring flowery Victorian designs that expressed feelings in rhymes.

People wanted something more private so envelopes were introduced and the printing presses enabled mass production of cards by 1915.

The First Mother’s Day Cards

Mother’s Day cards started being created as early as the 1920’s. The cards were rather formal and showed mothers having tea, sitting with flowers, sewing or in the kitchen.

By the 1930’s color lithography was adopted which catapulted the U.S. greeting card industry into significant growth.

Giving cards became an enjoyable demonstration of caring for mother’s day, birth days, Valentine’s day & Christmas.

World War II Cards

During World War II the greeting card industry provided cards for the soldiers overseas and Hallmark launched a branding campaign with the tag line “When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best”.

Personalized Cards

Giving a carefully chosen card is still a tangible demonstration of our love and caring for our mothers. And nowadays you can easily make your own cards through various companies or just download one of our printables – ready made designs – on our site here.

Its Time to Start Planning It’s just 10 days now to Mother’s Day.

Planning ahead for a happy Mother’s Day helps make the occasion fun and relaxing. Whether cooking a meal at home or setting up an excursion outside, a check list can help to ensure you have all the important points covered.

Some items can be ordered at the last minute, but why not plan ahead so you are well prepared and as a result much more relaxed?

Download and Print a Complete Checklist

We have prepared The Mother’s Day Planning Checklist that covers everything you need to plan for, including cards, flowers, poems, gifts, day trips and excursions, fun ideas for staying in, Mother’s Day recipes, and important general To-Do’s so you don’t miss a beat.

Empress Josephine, Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife, played a large role in making the rose so loved by people. She began a rose garden by growing all familiar varieties of roses in her country home near Paris. As a result rose growing became very fashionable.

History of the Rose

Roses have been in existence long before humans – most likely originating in Central Asia more than 60 million years ago. The oldest preserved species of rose was found in Egypt while excavating tombs and dates back to AD 170.

The archaeologist discovered vestiges of a rose garland used as a funeral wreath during the second century A.D. The petals of the rose in the wreath had withered, they still had their pink hue and when the petals were immersed in water they were almost restored to their natural condition!

Roses Have Always Been Deemed Valuable

Similar to our post about tulips , roses also became like currency. The ancient Romans, Greeks and Phoenicians cultivated and traded roses. They acquired roses while traveling and conquering different places and brought them home to cultivate. As a result, roses spread rapidly and extensively all through the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Roses in America

Rose fossils have been discovered in Montana, Colorado and Oregon that date back about 35 to 40 million years.

In 18th century America, trade in roses was flourishing. In fact, the first rose nursery in America was opened in Flushing, Long Island, by Robert Prince in 1737. This nursery began importing large number of various types of rose plants, especially new varieties.

There are over 200 species of roses although no-one actually knows the number – botanists can’t agree! But as many as 35 species are native to the U.S.

And here is a fun fact: Did you know that there is no history or roses growing south of the equator?

Order your Roses to Ensure they Arrive in Time

Be sure to order your beautiful bouquet today so they arrive in time for Mother’s Day. There are dozens of selections of gorgeous cut flowers to chose from, many offering 50% off.

You can also see our top choices of flowers here to help you choose.

Enjoy!

Perhaps this is a chance to get Mom out of the house or apartment and doing something she would really like to do for herself.

Birding, Hiking, Beach and a Book, Shopping (and vintage shopping), Wine Tasting: read on – its all here and sources to review.

Enjoy the Birds

Watching birds can be both relaxing and enthralling? If Mom likes birds, bring a some binoculars to a popular birding spot, maybe a lagoon or marshy sanctuary filled with gorgeous and exotic birds. Bird watching destinations often feature avian populations with colorful plumage and distinct patterns that are a thrill to spot.

Whether Mom’s a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic beginner, bird watching can be a challenging, exciting and rewarding way to spend Mother’s Day. Plan for outdoor adventure and pack a picnic while you’re at it.

Visit here for the best birding spots

Take a Hike or a Walk

Plan a day long hike that includes a memorable hike. Be sure to consider Mom’s fitness level when choosing from a casual, flat walk to a more rigorous hike.There is something for everyone in almost every region of the country:

• A hike of 1-4 miles (1.5-6 km.) on relatively flat terrain is considered an easy hike—perfect for busy Moms who don’t have many chances to hit the gym.
• Between 4 and 7 miles (6-11km.) and you are getting into intermediate territory, with a hike that can last up to 3 hours.
• But for the fitness guru/Mom who works out on her lunch break, strap on the hiking boots and head for a longer 7+ mile (11+ km.) hike.

Remember to pack plenty of water, and some snacks to keep your energy level up. If you plan to hike for a while, be sure to pack a robust picnic to enjoy at a halfway point along the trail.

For a list of great hikes go here.

Beach and a Book

The reason Jeff Bezos started Amazon.com by focusing on books is there is an endless selection of options to choose from.

If mom likes the feel of physical books and you know one of her favorites maybe you can find an autographed copy on eBay.

Mom may enjoy the latest release by one of her favorite authors or a book she had you read when you were young.

If she likes electronic books you can give her a Kindle filled with many classics from Project Gutenberg.

Pack a lunch and don’t forget the sunscreen. If the beach is a bit of a drive you could stop by an old book store or thift shop along the way, though have a back up in hand in cash she doesn’t find anything she likes there.

Be sure to check the weather in advance!

Shopping

Some people shop to enjoy luxury. Others may view shopping more like a sport where they hunt deals. Many outlet centers give the best of both worlds, offering branded goods at marked down prices.

If mom collects things maybe you can bring her to a local collectible show or dealer. If none are nearby maybe you can both hunt on eBay and you can show her how to set up automated snipe bidding on eBay using a tool like Gixen.

As people spend more time online malls have been forced to reinvent themselves to stay relevant. Hong Kong’s K11 Musea is a shopping mall which also features a variety of art exhibits..

Wine Tasting

Napa Valley is famous the world over for their wine. They even have a train tasting tour to experience the stunning landscape.

The state of California recommends a dozen different locations across the state – each offering their own local flair.

States like Tennessee have lesser known but fantastic wine trails. Services like Viator make it easy to fine local options, listing over 20,000 wine tasting results globally.

Tulips – the perfect flowers for Mom

What is more beautiful than flowers?

Any time of the year when we give a beautiful bouquet it provides such joy to the receiver. Of course on Mother’s Day giving flowers is the perfect demonstration of love and appreciation.

Tulips – So valuable in the C17th

Mother’s Day is in the spring time giving us the most wonderful choice of gorgeous flowers like tulips. Tulips have been in The Netherlands (Holland)since the sixteenth century and by the mid-seventeenth century they became so valuable the bulbs were used as money.

Each year during April and May, the tulip festival is held in Noordoostpolder, Holland. You can wander around millions of tulips. It is an incredible sight.

Order your flowers here and enjoy seeing Mom smile this week-end.

Make an annual chalk creation with Mom and photo it every year. We hear it over and over, it’s not how much you spend on Mom, it’s the time and effort put into her special day. And we know you want to ensure your Mom enjoys her Mother’s Day.

There are myriad ways of having a fabulous time on a small budget; it may take a little bit of planning but here are some ways to put something together that’s memorable, fun and truly unique. These creative ideas will let you and your Mom do what’s most important – spend quality time together, making memories.

Breakfast and a Game

Of course you are going to treat Mom to a special breakfast. But what about a completely unique breakfast? Do you remember the game Charades? How about turning her Mother’s Day brunch into a great meal and a game of Charades? If you have youngsters they will love to be in on the conspiracy and they can participate in the choices of shows/plays/movies. You can choose the subject ahead of time so the kids can think of ways to get across their topic.

Another popular idea is to prepare homemade conversation starters using small squares of paper and a pen. Questions like: “Which of Mom’s rules do you wish you could change?”; “Which kid is most like Mom and why?”; and “What’s the best meal Mom made for us on week days?” Put the paper squares in a basket or bowl and pass it around the table. Each family member takes turns answering a question.

Put on a Show

Taking the paper squares idea a little further, and if you want to be a bit more adventurous, you could put on a show for Mom detailing your favorite things about her. We suggested this idea a couple of years back and it was a bit hit! Have some laughs poking a little fun at Mom, too. Just be nice!

Bubble Wrap Abstract Painting

Feeling brave? Here is a variation on the hand painting aprons idea. How about a bubble wrap stomp painting? To make sure you dont make a mess, lay out an old sheet (or better yet do this outside on a hard surface), then place a large sheet of paper or a clean white sheet on top of the old sheet, make some bubble wrap “boots”, then dip the boots into kid friendly paint and stomp around the paper or sheet to create a beautifully abstract creative piece of art. Everyone will have a laugh.

Find the Gifts

If the weather is nice where you live, here is another game idea you could do outdoors (or indoors) that the kids will love. How about hiding her gift(s) around the house or the yard and making up clues that will point her toward the presents. For example, hide a present in the washing machine and the hint could be “How my shirts miraculously came out white after soccer practice”. Or in the back yard tree: “Where I used to climb”. You get the idea!

Cookies Individually Messaged

Make your Mom an assortment of sugar cookies, only each cookie is a letter that put together spells “I love you Mom” or “World’s best Mom” or some other special sentiment. Any words coming from the heart will be the best imaginable end to her Mother’s Day.

Get Out and About

Take Mom to the mall if she likes shopping and spend the afternoon wandering around some of her favorite stores. Or surprise Mom with a family hike or stroll. If you all have bikes, and Mom is up for biking, how about a bike ride around the neighborhood? For a personal and special touch, Dad can help the little ones make signs for their bikes that say, “We Love Our Mommy!” If you live near a fruit farm or in the country, take her berry picking. And if you are feeling very creative, bake a pie with the bounty.

Get Creative with Chalk

How about a sidewalk chalk photo shoot? You can do this with the whole family and get creative with the drawings. If you think Mom may not want to participate then perhaps draw your creations and surprise her. You could do this every Mother’s Day and make it a tradition. Then you have a photo series watching the kids and their artistic abilities grow!

Do Dinner and Vacation Pictures and Movies

Prepare a special dinner for Mom, but remember, don’t make the meal too complicated otherwise you will spend all your time in the kitchen rather than being with Mom. As a special treat set up the computer or the TV screen and show home pictures of vacations or movies. When do you ever go back and look at all those great photos of you all on vacation? Of all the Mother’s Day ideas, this one may get Mom the most sentimental.

Present Mom With a Photo Journal Souvenir

Take photos of your Mother’s Day fun with your iPhone, Android or digital camera. Then, at the end of the festivities, upload them onto her computer or email her the photo-journal of the day with fun little captions on each photo so she can always look back and laugh. Present Mom with this keepsake that she will always treasure.

This Mother’s Day, it might be nice if you could simply stop time and live in the moment. But since you’re not Marty McFly from Back to the Future, you probably won’t be able to toy with time.

Instead, give your Mom the gift of the past, present and future by creating the ultimate homemade Mother’s Day gift: a Time Capsule.

It’s heartfelt and sentimental, and gives Mom the opportunity to enjoy some of her most cherished memories.

Here’s how to make a time capsule of your own:

The Time Capsule Container

Before you start hunting for all of the mementos to include in your time capsule, find the right box or container to house them all. A traditional time capsule is buried underneath the ground for years, which means the container must be dirt proof, waterproof and sealed tight. If you want to go the less traditional route, you could use a wooden or decorated box for your time capsule and put it on a shelf or in a closet instead of under the ground.

A trip to the craft supply store should yield some ideas for capsule containers. For instance, an apothecary jar allows the items inside to be viewed from the outside, and they come in showcase-worthy shapes and sizes. If you’re artistic, pick up an unfinished wood container and use paint or stain to make it one-of-a-kind.

Containers don’t have to be fancy – if you have smaller items or are helping a child create this project for his Mom, use a two-liter soda bottle. You can cut it width-wise with a craft knife.

Whatever you choose, look for a container large enough to house all your items. Find one that suits its surroundings so it’s intact when it’s time to revisit the past.

The Memories

While you can’t put actual memories in your Mom’s time capsule, you can use items that represent those memories.

The things you decide to include in the time capsule are very personal to you, your Mom and your relationship. Include items such as locks of hair, old pictures you drew at school, letters you wrote and bits of jewelry or cloth that mean something special.

Or, if you’re helping a younger child put the time capsule together, include things like a tracing of his hand or a ribbon cut to the length of his current height.

If you’re a little more on the tech-savvy side, a CD of pictures or songs can also help jog Mom’s memory and maybe even bring a tear to her eye. When it comes to time capsules and Mother’s Day gifts, the same rule applies: the more personal, the better.

Place all of the items inside, then seal the container and decorate it with inexpensive washi tape from the craft store. Get creative and remember that Mom always likes homemade gifts the best anyway.

The Presentation

As with any good homemade Mother’s Day gift, the presentation is part of the sentiment.

Talk to Mom about why you chose to do a time capsule instead of a more traditional gift, and go through each of the items together. That way, it’s not just another present, but a bonding experience.

Give your Mom instructions as to when she should open the capsule again and where it will be stored. It’s a gift that truly keeps on giving by providing a walk down memory lane each time it’s opened.

You’ve started a family; now celebrate it – plan a memorable Mother’s Day for New Mom!

In addition to presenting her with a beautiful bouquet and helping with the little one, here’s how to make the holiday special:

Create A Memorable Gift

Her first Mother’s Day is all about celebrating the birth of your first child. Gifts should focus on keepsakes to remind Mom of her tiny, precious baby.

Photo Keepsakes

Have a framed photo collage made of snapshots taken during the baby’s first few months of life.

Shadowboxes & Scrapbooks

Consider is a shadowbox made with the baby’s hospital ID bracelet, dried flowers from Mom’s hospital stay and the newspaper clipping announcing the birth of your baby.

Or, get organized and take a box of mementos to a professional scrapbooking service. They can arrange several items into a book Mom will treasure forever. Use:

• photos
• birth announcements
• greeting cards
• footprints
• handprints
• birth certificate copies

A Relaxing Day for Your New Mother

In addition to presenting Mom with keepsake gifts, plan a day of relaxing activities.

Cook for Mom

Whether you opt for making breakfast in bed, or a homemade brunch, don’t let her lift a finger in the kitchen. If you’re all thumbs when it comes to cooking, consider packing up the family for a cozy meal at a favorite restaurant.

Family Bonding

Plan an outing as a family to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. If the baby enjoys car rides, meander slowly through a state park. Or, rent a bicycle for two – with a baby seat. The key is spending time together as a family and making memories. Be sure to take several photos of your adventures.

Time for Two

Finally wrap up the Mother’s Day celebration by taking time for yourselves. Parents never get enough alone time, especially while the baby is so young. Have a family member take the little one for a few hours while the two of you enjoy an evening out as a couple.

Couple’s Outing

Spend time concentrating on one another and be thankful for your beautiful family. Celebrate by:

• Going dancing
• Catching a movie
• Sipping coffee at a corner cafe

Focus on making Mom’s outing a welcome departure from her everyday parental duties. Avoid any discussion of changing diapers or how to deal with teething. Celebrate the wonderful woman you love, and make her first Mother’s Day memorable by giving her the gift of time together as a family, and as a couple!

More Ideas for New Moms

Looking for more ideas? Try our main gifts page for New Mothers.

Mom works hard, so when thinking of the perfect Mother’s Day gift, why not go the extra mile?

By planning a personalized scavenger hunt, you can tailor a gift to be as unique as Mom is – at any price that fits your budget.

All you need are some cleverly written clues, some imagination and the ideas below to give her a Mother’s Day she will be talking about for years to come.

For example, how about a scavenger/adventure hunt centered around a day out for Mom:

Set the Stage

Wake Mom with her favorite breakfast in bed. Place her first clue on the breakfast tray. Explain what she needs to wear and bring on her journey, and once she’s ready to go, provide her with the next clue.

This is something that young children can easily help out with and will set the stage for a relaxing day.

She’s Off!

This stage requires some pre-planning and is where a traditional Mother’s Day gift can come in handy.

Consider pre-purchasing a gift, such as a spa service for Mom to enjoy.

In true scavenger hunt style, provide Mom with the following:

• A map or GPS with a pre-planned route to the location for her spa day.
• An envelope containing the details of her pre-booked appointment and instructions not to open it until she arrives at her destination.
• A second envelope, to open only after her gift service has been completed.

Of course, you could substitute the spa day with a picnic or whatever Mom would love.

Next: Adding an element of surprise to a typical Mother’s Day present will make Mom feel really loved; imagine how she will feel when she discovers her surprise isn’t over yet!

So …

Outdo Yourself

Remember the second envelope Mom is supposed to open after her spa treatment (or whatever you have planned)? This is the opportunity to make an impact!

Give Mom another set of directions and ask her to look inside the glove compartment or console of her vehicle. Inside, she will find a gift certificate to her favorite store.

It doesn’t have to be a large amount but should speak to her interests. Does Mom love reading? A local bookstore would be ideal. Fashion? How about a gift certificate to her favorite clothing store or mall?

By paying attention to her interests, you will give a gift that shows Mom just how much you appreciate her and her needs. Mom will return home at the end of her journey feeling relaxed, joyful and appreciated. But her special day doesn’t end there.

The Icing on the Cake

While Mom is gone, do something special for her at home.

Cut the Workload

Clean the house, do the laundry – anything that will take a load off her plate and allow her to truly enjoy her day.

Make a Special Mother’s Day Meal

Most likely, Mom will be hungry when she returns, so consider preparing a special meal for her based on a specific theme.

Has Mom always wanted to travel? Base your meal on her favorite dream destination or travel memory; it’s sure to be a meal she won’t soon forget.

(If you really wanted to splurge, you could add that trip as part of the Icing on the Cake!)

Celebrate Mom!

Follow up your meal with some scheduled family time or a game night so Mom can bask in the glory of having such an amazing family!

Whatever you decide to do, from sunup to sundown Mom will be treated to the best Mother’s Day possible – and isn’t that what every Mom deserves?

Mother’s Day is a time for peace and unity around the globe.

This year, a lovely organization called We Are Enough invites you to join a global synchronized circe of women and families in celebration of Motherhood.

The event will take place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12th, from 1-2:00 PM Eastern Time (-4UTC).

Participants can simply join in prayer with their local community, enjoy a mother-family event all your own, or find some other event in your community.

For more information, check out this event page on the We Are Enough Website.

MothersDayCentral.com is a proud partner of We Are Enough.

Namaste!

Hey everybody, it’s just three weeks now to Mother’s Day.

Here’s a lightning bolt of an idea: Why not download our free Mother’s Day Planning Checklist to get a jumpstart on planning the perfect day for Mom.

The Mother’s Day Planning Checklist covers everything you need to plan for, including cards, flowers, poems, gifts, day trips and excursions, fun ideas for staying in, Mothers Day recipes, and important general To-Do’s so you don’t miss a beat.

Time to get it going – the big day is almost here. :)

Every Mom deserves to enjoy her special day, but what if you don’t have a big gift budget this year? No worries, Mother’s Day is not about the amount of money you spend on your hero and most treasured friend. Plenty of fun Mother’s Day ideas don’t involve dipping into your piggy bank.

Instead, focus on how spending time with Mom doing something memorable will create the perfect day. After all, what your trusted confidant wants most on Mother’s Day is to bond with the ones who gave her the title of Mom.

Get Fresh Air

Surprise Mom with a family hike or bike ride out in the country. For little ones, a bike ride in the neighborhood makes more sense. For a personal and adorable touch, Dad can help tots make signs for their bikes that say, “We Love Our Mommy!”

Treat Mom to Breakfast Theater

After everyone works up a sweat, they’ll be ready for a delicious meal. But Mom deserves more than just a typical overstuffed omelette. Instead, turn her Mother’s Day brunch into a theatrical experience. Funny anecdotes make perfect fodder for a play. Even young children can participate in a skit about the time Dad set off the smoke detector making grilled cheese. Or, put on a show for Mom detailing your favorite things about her. You can poke a little fun at Mom, too. For example, if she is a neat freak, one of the kids can dress up in an apron, sporting props like a broom and a dust pan. Just be nice!

Make Homemade Conversation Starters

To take things down a notch, organize a simple game. Ahead of time, prepare homemade conversation starters using small squares of paper and a pen. Sample questions include the following: “What have you learned from Mom?”; “Which of Mom’s rules do you wish you could change?”; and “Which kid is most like Mom and why?” Put the paper squares in a basket or bowl and pass it around the table. Each family member takes turns answering a question.

Make a Message Dessert

Mom will love a cake featuring a message just for her. Tell Mom you love her, that she’s amazing or that she inspires you. Any words coming from the heart will be the best imaginable end to her Mother’s Day.

Send Mom on a Treasure Hunt

Instead of just handing Mom her gifts, create a treasure hunt with clues pointing her to the bounty. For example, hide a present in the pantry and provide this hint: “The spot Mom has to stock when she hits the grocery store.”

Surprise Mom With a Cocktail Party

After Mom has relaxed, surprise her with a small, intimate cocktail party. Your guests are her Mom friends, aunts, grandmothers and neighbors. Serve small finger foods that are inexpensive and easy to prepare like cookies, cut-up fruit and cheese and crackers. Keep cocktails light; simply offer lemonade or wine. Mom will love chatting with her fellow honored guests and probably won’t be able to stop saying, “Thank you so much for setting this up!” and “What a surprise!”

Do Dinner and a Movie

Prepare a special dinner for Mom, then gather ’round the television to watch old home movies. Of all the Mother’s Day ideas, this one may get Mom the most sentimental.

Present Mom With a Souvenir

Take Polaroids of the Mother’s Day fun. Then, at the end of the festivities, present Mom with a keepsake she will always treasure. Write fun little captions on each photo so she can always look back and laugh.

We’re pleased to announce the five winners in our 2012 Giveaway Gala Event!

We had a ton of entries coming from our Facebook page this year, so it’s not a huge surprise that all five winners emerged from there.

Congrats to all the winners!

Special Note To Our Five Winners:

Please check your inboxes! We’ve sent a notification email to each of you, at the email address you provided with your entry submission.

First Prize Winner

Melissa Henry – $3,000 in Cash!

Second Prize Winners

Alex Alonso – Gourmet Fruit Basket

Tiffany Morgan – Gourmet Chocolate Basket

Penny Richeson – Gourmet Breakfast Basket

Third Prize Winner

Michelle Heard – Fresh Cut Flowers

Congrats again to our winners – Happy Mother’s Day!

Just as no two Moms are the same, no Mother’s Day idea is right for everyone.

So here are FORTY ideas! We hope you’ll find at least a few that are right for your special Mom. But if not, feel free to ask for help or more idea suggestions in the comments box at the end of this post.

Also, for more great Mothers Day gift ideas, don’t forget to visit our main gifts page, and also, our 2012 “Ten Best Ideas” page. Happy Mother’s Day!

#1 – Handprints Canvas Art Kit

Here’s a great way for the kids to make a crafty gift so great it’ll stand up to any museum masterpiece! Four, stretched and ready-to-paint canvases, plus complimentary paints, to leave a lasting impression!
Handprint Canvas Art Kits

#2 – 50% OFF Fresh-Cut Flowers + FREE Vase, FREE Chocolates

For just $29.98, you really can’t beat this gorgeous bouquet of fresh-cut irises and tulips. That, plus FREE vase and FREE chocolates! This deal is too perfect to pass up.
Fresh-Cut Flowers + FREE Vase & Chocolates – Just $29.98!

#3 – Cut-Out Photo Frame

Q: Who’s one of the most special Moms around? A: Grandma! And there aren’t too many gifts that Grandmas like more than family photos. Also available as a “Mother” cut-out.
Cut Out Photo Frames

#4 – Graffiti Love Notes

Use sidewalk chalk to draw a huge heart (or flower or whatever) in the driveway, along with a Happy Mother’s Day message!
Surpise and Pamper Mom

#5 – The Yin Yang Heart, Silver Necklace from Gemvara

This may be the single most popular item we’ve ever featured on Mother’s Day Central. So much so, we had to bring it back this year. If Mom sees this, she’ll just melt. And you can customize the gemstones to match birth months.
Yin Yang Heart Necklace

#6 – Recipes Kids Can Make

Let the kids in on the fun with these very easy to prepare, kid-friendly recipe ideas, sure to delight any mom.
Recipes Kids Can Make for Mom

#7 – Mom Shadowbox

Tell the story of You and Mom!
Mom Shadowbox

#8 – Fill-in-the-Blank Coupons

Commit to a house-cleaning, breakfast in bed, or whatever Mom would like. Use your imagination!
Fill-in-the-Blank Coupons

#9 – Mother’s Love Pendant

Heart-shaped, sterling silver, small diamond inset.
Mother’s Love Pendant

#10 – Make a Tribute Gift to the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross helps prepare communities for emergencies and keep people safe every day thanks to caring people who support their work.
American Red Cross

#11 – Garden Décor

Is Mom a gardener? She might just love this charming Cat & Dog garden stake!

Find it here, and lots more great garden stuff too!
Garden Décor

#12 – Heart Shaped Slider Pendant

Mom’s or Grandma’s birthstone looks over up to 7 children’s birthstones, all customizable to the birthmonth of your loved ones.
Gold Version Silver Version

#13 – Personalized Mom Cards: 99¢ w/Code “AFFTREAT”

Your choice of design, your photos, your words! Order here:
Professionally Printed Mother’s Day Card

#14 – Say It With a Poem

When you order that personalized card for Mom (see #13 above), why not add a poem to help express the way you feel! We’ve got 101 Mother’s Day poems to choose from – find them here:
101 Mothers Day Poems

#15 – Cute & Sassy Aprons

These adorable aprons are fun AND useful. When Mom is cooking, no reason she can’t do it in style! HUGE sale too: Save 40% with Coupon Code “Mother40″!
Cute & Sassy Aprons

#16 – Adopt a Pet

Is Mom a pet lover? AdoptAPet.com is a GREAT resource for finding dogs or cats near you. It really doesn’t get any better than this. :)
Adopt a Cat or Dog

#17 – Birth Month Flower Necklaces

A Mother’s Day Central staff favorite – adorable!
Birth Flower Necklaces

#18 – Clean and Detail Mom’s Car

Not many Moms love washing the car, so give Mom a break and do it for her! Then watch her face when she walks outside to see her vehicle looking all shiny and clean. Even better: Fill the tank with gas beforehand.
Clean Mom’s Car and Other Fun Surprises

#19 – Pearl & Diamond Earrings – Jewelry Favorites Collection

RedEnvelope’s Jewelry Favorites selections never fail to please. Simple, elegant, and eye-catching! Do yourself a favor – browse the entire collection before making a decision on the best choice.
Jewelry Favorites Collection – Up to 20% Off Through Mother’s Day Central

#20 – Chocolate Dipped Berries (20% Off Through Mother’s Day Central)

If you want to get Mom something delicious that’s a pure treat, look no further. Nobody does this better than Shari’s Berries.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

#21 Outdoor Plant Stand

If Mom likes potted plants, this is a brilliant way to display them, and the perfect time of year to get it set up!
Outdoor Plant Stands

#22 Spa Gift Cards

Buy them in various amounts. Mom can choose from over 5,000 local spas so it won’t be hard to find one or more near her.
Spa Gift Cards

#23 Spiratual Necklaces

Gifts with spiratual meaning are popular for Mother’s Day. One of the most beautiful lines we know of is Gemvara’s cross pendants, customizable by choice of birthstone.
Cross Necklaces

#24 Personalized Stepping Stones

A very popular, personalized gift for any Mom with a yard or garden! And kids love ‘em as much as the adults do!
Garden Stepping Stones

#25 A Year’s Worth of Wish Candles

One of our staff favorites! We love the little saying on each candle, and the charm that’s revealed as each candle burns.
Year’s Worth of Wish Candles

#26 Relaxation Gifts for New Mothers

Few Moms need rest and relaxation more than New Mothers! So take care of new Mom with a gift of relaxation.
Relaxation Gifts for New Mothers

#27 – Turkish Terry Robe

Cushy and comfy and made of 100% Turkish cotton, this robe is as soft and plush as those offered at five-star hotels.
Turkish Cotton Terry Robe

#28 – Sapphire Diamond Earrings

A little pricy, but for what they are, the price is right. And, ummm, they’re gorgeous.
Sapphire Diamond Earrings

#29 – Hot Air Balloon Ride

Yes, you can! Or, a boat ride. Or, some other trip or adventure Mom never thought she’d do. Go on, you know you want to!
Hot Air Balloon Ride & Other Adventures

#30 – Motherisms!

IF Mom is a good sport, have a little fun with her by recalling some of her famous “motherisms.” To get you started, we’ve got a list of the classics here.
Have Fun With Motherisms

#31 Gemstone Bracelets

Bracelets are popular right now, and we really love these birthstone bracelets, laced with tiny diamonds.

Gemstone Bracelets

#32 Gourmet Cheesecake

Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or after-dinner dessert, this treat would be great to have on hand.

Gourmet Cheesecake

#33 – Swarovski Women’s Watch from Lucien Piccard

Add some sparkle to Mom’s style with gorgeous Swarovski Crystal watch from LP. Comes with 4 interchangeable leather straps: red, ivory, blue and brown.

Swarovski Crystal Women’s Watch

#34 Designer Tote & Matching Scarf

Soooo cute! And just in time for summer getaways and trips to the beach. Love the removable, coordinated scarf too!

Designer Tote & Matching Scarf

#35 Champagne & Truffles

If we’re going to be celebrating Mom, seriously, is there any better way? Nope. Nuh-uh. This is the way.

Champagne & Truffles

#36 Bonsai Trees and Plants

Each and every Bonsai Tree is a unique and special treasure, just like Mom!

Bonsai Trees and Plants

#37 Free Printable Mother’s Day Cards

Make it simple as can be for the kids: Download one of our printable cards and fill it out, with love, to Mom. :)

Printable Mothers Day Cards

#38 Nutty and Naughty

Healthy dried fruits and nuts plus a decadent assortment of scrumptous truffles. Nutty or naughty, you can’t lose with this choice.

Nuts and Chocolate Truffles

#39 Years Worth of Flowers

Keep Mom’s vase full of fresh cut flowers all year long! Or, you can opt for a 3, 6 or 9 month duration too! Great as a last minute gift as well.

12 Months of Flowers

#40 – Give Mom a Hug

The best Mother’s Day present in the world!

Our friend Tricia Brunton, Founder and CEO of gomom.me, is back with the 3rd annual Mother’s Day Expo.

This year’s event will take place this coming Saturday, May 5th at the Sheraton Bradley Hotel in Windsor Locks, CT, and promises to be bigger and better than ever!

Five Prizes. Five Winners!

This year, we’re giving away five (5) great prizes:

One (1) First Prize

Three (3) Second Prizes

Gourmet Fruit Basket	Gourmet Chocolate Basket	Gourmet Breakfast Basket

One (1) Third Prize

That’s five winners in all:

• One $3,000 Winner
• Three Gift Basket Winners – from Gourmet Gift Baskets
• One Flowers Bouquet Winner – from ProFlowers

Each person may only enter once (no companies, please).

UPDATE – Deadline Has Passed

Entry Deadline was Midnight, Friday, May 4, 2012, PST.

Winners will be announced on our site, Sunday, May 6, 2012.

Mother’s Day Giveaway Gala Rules

1. Winner will be announced on MothersDayCentral.com.

2. US residents only.

3. To enter, you must be an individual, 18 years of age or older.

4. Businesses are not eligible.

5. Winners will be chosen randomly from entries submitted from our HOMEPAGE.

6. Winners will be responsible for any related taxes or restrictions according to their state laws.

7. Winners will be responsible for providing the correct mailing address and personal information within 10 days of notification.

8. No purchase necessary to enter.

9. Please allow 1 week for delivery of prize, although every attempt will be made to deliver the gift baskets by Mother’s Day.

10. Click here for a complete list of Website official rules, terms and conditions.

Today, we released our annual list of “Top 10 Mother’s Day Gifts.”

Each year – knowing what’s been most popular in preceding years – and having seen the current year’s new offerings, we put our heads together and come up with those ideas that are not only staff favorites, but that seem to reflect the tastes and times we live in.

We hope you enjoy this year’s list as much as we enjoyed putting it together!

 Top 10 Mothers Day Gifts – 2012

All Mothers Day Gifts

Well as we noted in another post, we don’t typically mention books, movies, etc. This is the book that made us temporarily suspend that rule.

It’s called:

What Should I Do with the Rest of My Life?: True Stories of Finding Success, Passion, and New Meaning in the Second Half of Life, by a good friend of ours, Bruce Frankel.

The hardcover came out last year and the paperback was just released. And here’s the best news:

Bruce has kindly provided us with three *signed* copies of the hardcover version of his book, to be given away through our site!

Bruce’s book is comprised of truly inspiring stories of people to who at some point in the middle of life (or later than the middle), were moved to reinvent their lives for the better.

Don’t just take our word for how good this book is! Head on over to Amazon and see what readers of the book have said.

How This Giveaway Works

We want to give this book away to three people who really want it.

If you’re one of them, here’s all you do:

1) Follow us on Twitter.

2) Fire off a Tweet that includes two items:

– @mdcentral
– #RestOfMyLife

Example Tweet:

“Hey @mdcentral – I’d love a signed copy of #RestOfMyLife”
 
Feel free to Tweet multiple times but you only need to Tweet once according to the rules above to be eligible, and multiple Tweets will NOT help your chances.

At 12pm PST/3pm EST Sunday May 8th (Mother’s Day), we’ll randomly select three winners from those who have made a Tweet including the two elements “@mdcentral” AND “#RestOfMyLife”.

Please note that the book will not arrive by Mother’s Day; we want to give people plenty of time to express their interest in this wonderful work.

Entry Rules

1. Winner will be announced on MothersDayCentral.com.
2. US residents only.
3. To enter, you must be an individual, 18 years of age or older.
4. Businesses are not eligible.
5. Winner will be responsible for any related taxes or restrictions according to their state laws.
6. Winner will be responsible for providing the correct mailing address and personal information within 10 days of notification.
7. Creating multiple accounts on Twitter to enter multiple times will automatically disqualify you from the giveaway.
8. No purchase necessary to enter.
9. Please allow 1 week for delivery of prize.

We have our Third and final winner in the 2011
Gourmet Gift Basket Giveaway!

The winner of Gift Basket #1 is: Missy Ann Steele – Congrats Missy!!!

The luxurious gift basket you’ll be receiving is:

Deluxe Spa Gift Basket (pictured right)!

Missy Ann Steele:

We and our friends at GourmetGiftBaskets.com want you
to receive your basket in time for Mother’s Day, so we’ll be in
contact with you shortly.

You can also contact us at: info @ MothersDayCentral.com

Thanks to Gourmet Gift Baskets!

We would once again like to thank GourmetGiftBaskets.com for making this possible! Their fabulous gift baskets just seem to keep getting better every year. If you sill need an idea for Mom, it’s hard to imagine you that couldn’t find something in their selection that Mom would love, so by all means, check ‘em out!

Thank You Facebook Friends!

We can’t tell you all how much we appreciate your participation and encouragement!

And while we’re done giving away gift baskets, we’re not done with all our giveaways … so keeping checking the Mother’s Day Blog for news and other great info!

We don’t typically mention books, movies, etc. as we’re not a review site, but this year we’ve come across two books that we feel are worth noting for our audience.

The first is called: 31 Days to a Younger You: No Surgery, No Diets, No Kidding by our friend Arlene Pellicane. Arlene is a writer, bloger, speaker, mom, and all around good egg.

Arlene’s book is filled with engaging, insightful and charming stories about her everyday life, and makes you feel as though you’re having a conversation with someone you know and trust.

The books includes lots of helpful tips on fitness, nutrition, health, beauty, organization and more, and encourages the reader to think about how practical tips can be applied to everyday life in order to help you look better, feel better and enjoy life more.

31 Days has a strong spiritual foundation, but regardless of your views, the advice Arlene offers up pertains to pretty much every one of us!

Better.tv must agree, as Arlene was recently invited into the Better.tv studios for an interview. Her appearance was taped last week and should appear on Better.tv any time now, so by all means check it out!

——-
UPDATE:
Arlene’s video is now live on Better.tv – Watch now!
——-

You can find 31 Days to a Younger You: No Surgery, No Diets, No Kidding at Amazon.

We have our Second winner in the 2011 Gourmet Gift
Basket Giveaway!

The winner of Gift Basket #1 is: Amy Wrisley – Yay Amy!!!

The gift basket you’ll be receiving is:

New England Breakfast Gift Basket Deluxe (pictured right)!

Amy: We’ll Be Contacting You!

We and our friends at GourmetGiftBaskets.com want you
to receive your basket in time for Mother’s Day, so we’ll be in
contact with you shortly.

You can also contact us at: info @ MothersDayCentral.com

Tomorrow’s Basket Giveaway …

Tomorrow, the Deluxe Spa Gift Basket.

Remember, to be eligible to win, just Like us on Facebook!

Full details here: Mother’s Day Central Gift Basket Giveaway

Thanks to GourmetGiftBaskets.com for making this possible!

We have our first winner in the 2011 Gourmet Gift Basket Giveaway!

The winner of Gift Basket #1 is: Melissa Edwards Guild – Congrats!

The gift basket you’ll be receiving is: Chocolate Gift Basket Classic.

We’ll Be Contacting You!

Melissa: We, and our friends at GourmetGiftBaskets.com want you to receive your basket in time for Mother’s Day, so we’ll be in contact with you right away. You can also contact us at: info @ MothersDayCentral.com

Tomorrow’s Basket Giveaway …

Tomorrow, the New England Breakfast Gift Basket Deluxe.

Remember, to be eligible to win, just Like us on Facebook!

Full details here: Mother’s Day Central Gift Basket Giveaway

Thanks to GourmetGiftBaskets.com for making this possible!

Last years Gift Basket Giveaway was so popular, we’re bringing it back again this year.

Starting next Monday, May 2, we’re giving away ONE FREE GIFT BASKET A DAY for three days!

That’s one basket each day, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday!

Our Gift Basket Giveaway is being run in partnership
with our good friends at Gourmet Gift Baskets (we can’t
get over how cool their baskets are!).

Here’s the gift basket giveaway line-up this year:

• Day One: Chocolate Gift Basket Classic (pictured right)
• Day Two: New England Breakfast Gift Basket Deluxe
• Day Three: Deluxe Spa Gift Basket

How to Enter

Just “Like” us on Facebook for your chance to win!

Our three winners will be chosen randomly from our Facebook “Like” list.

MDC Gift Basket Giveaway Rules

1. Winner will be announced on MothersDayCentral.com.

2. US & Canadian residents only (PLEASE NOTE: Only U.S. customers can be guaranteed delivery by Mother’s Day. Shipments to Canada can take up to two weeks).

3. To enter, you must be an individual, 18 years of age or older.

4. Businesses are not eligible.

5. Winner will be chosen randomly from our Facebook “Like” list.

6. Winner will be responsible for any related taxes or restrictions according to their state laws.

7. Winner will be responsible for providing the correct mailing address and personal information within 10 days of notification.

8. Creating multiple accounts on Facebook to enter multiple times will automatically disqualify you from the giveaway.

9. No purchase necessary to enter.

10. Please allow 1 week for delivery of prize, although every attempt will be made to deliver the gift baskets by Mother’s Day.

Good luck! And don’t forget that you can still shop for Mothers Day gift baskets here.

We were recently chatting with our friend Tricia Brunton, Founder and CEO of gomom.me (pronounced “go mommy”), a wonderful social networking resource for busy moms.

Their annual “Mom’s the Word” event is just around the corner. If you’re in the Hartford, CT area, you can celebrate mom at “mom’s the word!” on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 from 10am to 5pm at Connecticut Convention Center.

At “mom’s the word!” it’s all about mom!

You’ll enjoy exclusive shopping, sample delicious Panera Bread desserts and check out live demos of moms favorite products. You can also register for great prizes, including a $100 shopping spree – and you know how much we love giveaways!

Mom’s the Word features a Motherhood Panel discussion including Jocelyn Maminta of News 8’s CT Style, Fun Image Workshop with WDRC-AM talk show host Mary Jones and Fashion Stylist Debbie Wright.

There will also be a Spa Power Hour with complimentary massages and facials. And kids can create a free hand-made gift for mom with Bumblebug Art at Kids Corner sponsored by Connecticut Higher Education Trust Program (CHET).

Additionally, gomom.me’s Mother of the Year award winner will be announced at “mom’s the word!” The deserving mom will get a Mother’s Day to Remember Package, including a spa getaway, elegant dinner, and a “mom’s the word!” shopping spree.

Tickets are priced at just $15. Purchase them online at mom’s the word. Children 12 years of age and under and Seniors 65+ can attend for free. For more information, visit the web site at http://www.gomom.me or call (860) 335-9177.

International Women’s Day is celebrated each year, on March 8. Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

On this day, thousands of events occur around the world. Countries, organizations and local/regional groups are free to develop specific themes each year to celebrate and promote women.

For example, this year’s UN theme for International Women’s Day is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.” Given all that is going on around the world right now, that seems like a pretty good choice to us.

Check out two of the many videos celebrating this day:

President Obama and the First Lady in Honor of International Women’s Day

Amnesty International Interview with Widney Brown, for International Women’s Day

Learn more about International Women’s Day:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

• International Women’s Day – Official Website
• Events in Australia
• Events in Canada
• Events in the UK
• Events in the U.S.
• More events around the world
• History of International Women’s Day

MORE WEBSITES

• 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day – U.S. State Department
• UN Women Celebrate Internatial Women’s Day
• Women Watch – International Women’s Day
• How to Support International Women’s Day Using Social Media, from Mashable.com

Mothering Sunday in the UK is often called “Mother’s Day” and is regarded as more or less synonymous with “Mother’s Day” as celebrated in other countries around the world.

Occasionally we receive emails on the topic of the “Mothering Sunday” in the UK, and whether or not the name should be changed to “Mother’s Day.”

Should “Mothering Sunday” be Changed to “Mother’s Day”?

Some feel that the history and origins of Mothering Sunday should be respected, and the name maintained.

Others feel that Mothering Sunday’s origins are no longer relevant to the full and diverse spectrum of families in the UK today, and that “Mothering Sunday” might be more appropriately celebrated as “Mother’s Day.”

What do you think?

Take Our Poll

Should the name “Mothering Sunday” be changed to “Mother’s Day” in the UK?

Poll closed – See results below:

 Learn more about Mothering Sunday here.

We were just chatting to the folks at PCH Search&Win, and thought their Roses Giveaway event going on right now was so nice, we’d mention it twice. (For those who don’t know, PCH Search&Win is a search engine powered by Publishers Clearing House.)

PCH Search&Win is giving away 50 Bouquets of Roses today!

If you haven’t bought that special Mother’s Day gift, check it out. (Roses … love … roses. :P)

Read the rest of this entry »

We have a winner in the Mother’s Day Central iPads Giveaway!

The winner is: @ReneeJRoss – Congrats Renee!

Renee, you just won a pair of free 32GB, Wi-Fi iPads
from Mother’s Day Central – one iPad for you and one for Mom!

Of course, who really gets ’em us up to you. :)
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OK we’ll make this one quick…

The winner of the flowers giveaway is: Lisa Moss!

Lisa, congrats on winning our Wednesday Facebook MDC Likers Chance for Free Flowers Giveaway (try saying that 10 times fast!):

Lisa hangs out here on FB:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1563905512

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We have our third and final winner in the Gourmet Gift Basket Giveaway!

The winner of Gift Basket #1 is: @dannielyn – Congrats!

The gift basket you’ll be receiving is the amazing Bountiful Harvest� Fruit Gift Basket.

We’ll Be Contacting You!

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We have our second winner in the Gourmet Gift Basket Giveaway!

The winner of Gift Basket #1 is: @spaznchick – Congrats!

The gift basket you’ll be receiving is: Gourmet Gardening Basket.

We’ll Be Contacting You!

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*Sigh* *Yay*

We’re feeling a but unloved over at our Facebook page. :/

So, not wanting to remain in this glum mood for a moment longer, we decided to cheer ourselves up by giving some random person fresh cut flowers from ProFlowers! For FREE!

What do you need to do? Ha! It’s easy:

Just “Like” us on Facebook for your chance to win!

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We have our first winner in the Gourmet Gift Basket Giveaway!

The winner of Gift Basket #1 is: @bayctgrl – Congrats!

The gift basket you’ll be receiving is: Sweets & Treats Gift Basket.

We’ll Be Contacting You!

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Starting tomorrow, Monday May 3, we’re giving away ONE FREE GIFT BASKET A DAY for three days!

That’s one basket each day, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday!

This giveaway is in partnership with our good friends at Gourmet Gift Baskets (we love those folks and their baskets are waaaaay cool!).

Here’s the gift basket giveaway line-up:

• Day One: Gourmet Sweets and Treats
• Day Two: Gardening Goodies (pictured right)
• Day Three: Gourmet Fruits and Cheeses

Just follow us on Twitter for your chance to win!

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Don’t miss your chance to win a pair of free 32GB, Wi-Fi iPads from Mother’s Day Central – one iPad for you and one for Mom!

Organizing the best Mother’s Day ever through MothersDayCentral.com was always your plan, right?

Only now, by following us on Twitter too, you’ll have the chance for a double reward: Matching iPads for you and Mom. And even if you don’t win, you’ll still find out about great deals and giveways as we announce them on Twitter. Sweet!

How It Works:

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Tori Amos let us know that she is offering her new song, ringtone, and video for ‘Maybe California’ as a free gift for mothers around the world. You can check it out at http://www.toriamos.com/Gift/

Alexei Wajchman from the Blind Willies let us know that they have a fun song that you will likely have a chance to hear this Mother’s Day

There are 2 versions. MOM SAYS NO, and MOM SAYS NO REPRISE. The songs are on their new album, Everybody’s Looking for a Meal. You can listen to the complete songs on Pandora or Lala. Additionally, you can can hear samples at cdbaby.com and itunes.

Moms love to have a gift that comes from the heart. We’ve got some great feedback on our printable vouchers, so we’ve added more “fill in the blank coupons” to give to your mother for mother’s day. Choose from our selection, and offer your mother a free breakfast, vacuuming, dishwashing, house cleaning, and a handful of other thoughtful chores. Mom will love that you volunteer to help out. Choose from our ideas, or just use our certificates, and create your own gift!

When that last minute is upon you and it’s crunch time, sometimes you need to pull off something special in a pinch. Enter this free downloadable song for your mom. The “Gun & Doll Show” recently released a fabulous free “Happy Mother’s Day” song on the internet for download from his Celebration Songs CD.

This very cool song has both style and grace. Everyone on the Mother’s Day Central staff is loving it! Go get your mom a free downloadable song for Mother’s Day.

Read the rest of this entry »

Congratulations to new mother of 4! It will be an joyful Mother’s Day for a Maryland woman who delivered 4 babies on January 29th, her 32nd birthday. Tomorrow she will introduce her boys, Joshua Drew, Gavin Michael, Cody Benjamin and Logan Christopher, to the world at press conference. Her boys are one of less than 100 documented cases of what is called, “triplets plus one.” in history She has 3 identical infants from an implanted embryo that split twice and an additional son from the other implanted embryo. The boys are said to be doing well and have been home for about 2 1/2 weeks. Wow – what an awesome miracle of mothering.

We just posted the Top 31 Moms of All Time – let us know your take, and who you think we missed!

Did you know that one woman dies in pregnancy or childbirth every minute? That’s over half a million women each year. Many of these women have no skilled help at the time of childbirth, and die alone. 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries, and most times could be prevented by access to information and low cost interventions.

That’s why we’d like to make everyone aware of our friends at Maternity Worldwide. Maternity Worldwide is a registered charity in the UK, dedicated to saving the lives of mothers and their babies overseas.
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We’ve announced the winner of our 2007 Mother of the Year Award.

Thanks to all those who entered, and to our esteemed panal of judges for helping to select the final winner!

Mother’s Day Central is really excited to announce the 2007 Mother of the Year Award.

We are looking for submissions about why YOUR mother is the greatest – and the top Mom (as judged by our esteemed group of panelists listed below) will get $5,000 cash. 10 other mothers will get a lovely bouquet of flowers as well. We’re really excited to be able to honor mothers in such a wonderful way. You can help by spreading the word, and submitting a quick story about your own mom – and why she is so great (maybe you should send it to her, and let her know you sent it too). More of the details are listed on the homepage, and below.

Prizes

The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 cash that can be used to…

• take mom on the dream vacation she always wanted
• help her pay off her car or mortgage
• donate to charity of her choice
• do whatever she likes with

In addition the winner will receive

• a bouquet of Mother’s Day flowers
• any Mother’s Day gift of your choice up to $200
• a Flip digital camera so you can record the announcement that they won

The top 10 finalists will each receive a bouquet of Mother’s Day flowers.

How to Enter

To suggest somebody for 2007 Mother of the Year, please fill out the following form explaining why they deserve the title.

• You can recommend any mom.
• All entries must be received by March 5, 2008.
• The winner will be announced on March 24, 2008.
• The winning entry will be posted on our site.

You Can Enter Here

Special Guest Judges

The staff of Mother’s Day Central will evaluate all of the initial submissions and select the 10 finalists.

Then, the final winner will be selected by the following independent judges – moms whose Web sites we love, and whose work we respect.

• Amy at Spina Bifida Moms
• Andi at Mama Knows Breast
• Christina at Green Mom Finds
• Erika at Plain Jane Mom
• Gabrielle at Design Mom
• Jenn at Mommy Needs Coffee
• Kristen at Cool Mom Picks
• Lindsay at Suburban Turmoil
• Liz at Mom 101

In some parts of the world many mothers die giving birth or have their children die before they turn 5. Those of us who have time to celebrate are lucky for all we have.

We at MothersDayCentral.com wish you and your family a safe, happy, and peaceful Mother’s Day.

The winners of the Tell Us Your Best Mother-Daughter Story contest, offered in conjunction with Universal Studios Home Entertainment, have been selected! It took us a bit longer to announce the top three submissions than we anticipated, because there were so many interesting and touching entries.

Congratulations to the winners, and a heart-felt thanks to all those who submitted!

Also, we’d like to express our particular thanks to Universal Studios Home Entertainment for participating in this contest and for providing the free “Because I Said So” DVD prizes – without them, this contest never would have happened.

Meanwhile, we’ll be spending a little time this weekend watching the “Because I Said So” DVD with Mom!

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Some bloggers make a living blogging, while others are happy to just keep in touch. Whether mom is an entrepreneur or retired, blogging makes it easy to connect, no matter how far apart we are.

Did you move away from home? Having trouble keeping in touch with mom? Why not set up a blog for mom this year? Even though we get separated we can still share stories.

Here is our free guide for setting up a blog for mom.
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Last updated: January 28th, 2020.

We decided to have a little fun and list each decade all the way back to the 20s, when Mother’s Day was first introduced, and end up at the 90s. Under each decade is a description of gift giving trends, followed by some examples of items that capture the essence of those times. We hope you like it!

1920s: Mother’s Day Becomes Official

Mothers Day Trends in the 20’s

• As soon as the Mother’s Day became official, florists everywhere began selling carnations, which was the flower given out to mothers by the founder of the Mother’s Day movement, Anna Jarvis.
• FTD’s “flowers-by-wire” service already made it possible to order flowers by phone in some locations around the U.S.

Gifts from the 20s

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Zazzle is offering a design contest where the winner gets

• $1,000.00 USD
• the 1-800 FLOWERS Spoil Me Spa Tower
• top-of-the-line framed print from Zazzle

Learn more at their official contest entry page.

With only 9 days to Mother’s Day, there is not much time for planning and buying a tasteful proper gift. It gets even worse if you remembered mom, but forgot your stepmom until the last minute. Luckily, Errin at Parenting Our Children not only reminds would be troublemakers of the problem

I am going to save you from the walk of shame when you are asked what you got your wife for mothers day and your reply is �Nothing, she is not my mother.�

By the way, that response will get you in bigger trouble then any gift can get you out of.

but also provides a list of fun last minute gift ideas. When in doubt, be sure to ask your mother in law or wife what the other would like.

Win a Free “Because I Said So” DVD and $300!

We’re delighted to announce, in conjunction with Universal Studios Home Entertainment, the “Tell Us Your Best Mother-Daughter Story” contest.

What daughter doesn’t have a story (or two) to tell about growing up with mom?

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’d like to hear those stories! The three winning “mother-daughter” stories will be published on our Web site – and we’ve got a few prizes to hand out too!

The Contest

Just tell us in 500 words or less your favorite story about Mom – something special, heroic, or just plain sweet, that your mother did for you when you were growing up.

Three stories, chosen by our staff, will be published on our Web site.

Our story writers will also receive cash prizes and receive a free copy of the soon-to-be-released “Because I Said So” DVD, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Stories will be judged on the basis of their overall appeal, uniqueness and quality of writing.

Entries must be received through our Web site by Friday, May 4, 2007.

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HGTV has just put together this year’s gift guide, ranging from the following categories: culinary, fashion, gardening, and gifts for animal lovers. Well worth a look.

We Think Mom Bloggers Deserve a Little Recognition!

Hey we all know that moms work hard.  But mom bloggers work hard, and run blogs.  We think that deserves a little extra recognition.  After all, mom bloggers are also helping other moms.

So, we took a shot at putting together a  list of Top 100  Mom Blogs. These women, and communities of women, have in our view displayed particular excellence in areas including:

• Originality
• Passion
• Humor
• Personality
• Creativity

We understand that your favorite blog may not be mentioned in this list. We had a difficult time narrowing the contestants down, because there are so many qualified mothers who blog. Please email us any notable blogs you feel should have been included.
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100 Mothers who blog have been included in this exclusive group. Check out the entire list.

See anyone you know? Anyone that should be there? Let us know.

If you are familiar with any of the winners, go ahead and send them a congratulations!

Go to the award page now!

The US Census Bureau recently compiled a 4 page PDF report about moms and Mother’s Day. Here are some of the highlights:

Motherhood and Children:

• 80.5 million number of mothers in the United States
• 55% percent of 15 to 44 year olds who are mothers
• 81% perecent of 40 to 44 year olds who are mothers. In 1976 this number was 90%.
• 2.1 the number of children women have in their lifetime. In Utah the number is 2.5, and in many northeast states the number is as low as 1.7.
• 10.4 million the number of single moms with children under 18. 3.4 million in 1970
• 61% & 81% percentage of children of maried couples under 6 who eat breakfast and dinner with their mothers every day
• 4.1 million the number of 2005 births in the US. 414,406 were from teen mothers, while 111,190 were from mothers above 40.
• 25.2 the average age of women giving their first child
• 40% percentage of births that are the first child. 32% second, 17% third, 11% fourth or more
• 35,578 the number of 2004 births outside hospitals
• 1:31 the odds of delivering twins

Working and Raising Children:

• 5.6 million the number of stay at home moms in 2006
• 55% percentage of moms with infant children in the work force in 2004. Down from an all time high of 59% in 1998.
• 729,040 number of child care centers across the US

Shopping for Mom:

• 21,667 the number of florist establishments in the US in 2004
• 12,454 number of perfume, comsetics, and beauty supplies stores in the US in 2004
• 28,772 number of US jewelry stores in 2004

CartoonChurch’s Dave Walker recently updated his cute cartoon for Mother’s Day.

You can find more of his cool cartoons at Cartoon Church and We Blog Cartoons.

We recently finished our article about the history of Mother’s Day. It is a fascinating read if you wanted to know more about how Mother’s Day came into being.

The popular growing Australian run for breast cancer occures in exactly one month. If you are in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, or Sydney on Sunday the 13th of May consider walking or running to help raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. If you can’t make the event consider sponsoring someone who is going. More details at the official site.

A head teacher in a Carmarthen, West Wales school has decided to ban the making of Mother’s Day cards:

“More than five per cent of children here are separated from their birth mother and have either no contact or no regular contact with their mother,” she said.

Surely it is sad to know parental ties have been broken for some children, but it doesn’t make sense to go out of our way to break them for all children. Everyone is a minority if you inspect them hard enough, but we shouldn’t make everyone suffer for it. How is that politically correct?

Anyone who thinks that being different is a bad thing or something that everyone should give up freedoms for should read about how bad that world would be if we were all the same in Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron.

What do you do if your mom once lived in the United States but moved to the United Kingdom? Do you celebrate both Mothering Day and Mother’s Day?

From Mother’s Day Dilemma:

I love my mother, but for the last 15 years I’ve had a dilemma – when to celebrate Mother’s Day. In the UK, Mother’s Day is the last Sunday in March; in the rest of the world (or at least in Barbados and the US, where my mother spends much of her time), it’s the first Sunday in May. So what to do?

Assuming distance and travel costs do not prevent it, I think you should celebrate whichever holiday is core to your memory of your mother and her bring you up through your childhood. On the other day that it would be best to have a nice visit or chat on phone. What do you think?

If you wait until the last minute to prepare for Mother’s Day 2007 you could be in for a bit of stress.

We just added a Mother’s Day Checklist to help ensure Mother’s Day goes as smooth as possible this year.

If mom could use a little help planning out her day to day schedule, a momAgenda day planner could be a well received surprise. Free printable versions are also available.

The Google Video blog shared some happy Mother’s Day videos created by military troops deployed in Iraq.

When Julia Ward Howe made her Mother’s Day Proclamaition in 1870 she was sick of the war. Sad to know wars are still going on today, but I pray for the safety of our sons today.

Salary.com recently performed a study stating work at home moms deserve $134,121 a year if they were paid for all their work, while moms that work outside the home should earn an extra $85,876 a year. You can find out more using their free online Mom Salary Wizard.