Modern & Meaningful Mother's Day

Ok, I love this!  What a great gift idea for mum (or Dad maybe because it's a bit late too get it to you for Mother's Day!).  Customized (and cool & modern) geneaology charts.  You choose your design and colourway, fill out the pertinent family info and the talented people at My Tree and Me do the rest.  For the DIY-types they even offer a fill in the blank version...

Mother's Day Gift Ideas - New Mum

Your first Mother's Day is really special.  It kind of marks a turning point in your life; you're no longer just somebody's daughter, wife or girlfriend, you're somebody's mother!  This is an important role and one that you don't really fully grasp until you hold that precious baby for the first time.  Now Dad's, take note here...she will only experience this 1st Mother's Day once!  

Aveda pamper set and little footprint kit

A new mum may be neglecting her own needs now that the little one has arrived on the scene.  It's a great opportunity to spoil her with a gift that lets her pamper herself a bit.  Hand and foot treatments are great as is a gift card for her favourite spa.  

hand-print wall art

I love this idea!  A series of canvases to document your growing child's handprints.  I suggest for smaller babies to go with a footprint kit.  Babies have a tendency to keep their fingers curled and it is much easier to press a baby foot than a baby hand (I've tried this...it is not fun!).  I've done this for both of my kids and it was the best idea.  Looking back at those tiny sets of fingers and toes gets me everytime...

hand-stamped jewellry

This is a no-brainer!  Simple initial, hand-stamped necklaces to wear everyday.  We all love to keep our babies close...this is a winner!

versatile sarong 

I love clothes that are forgiving and always look great.  Your body has been through a lot and it takes a while to get back to where you feel it should be (or at least comfortable with).  Give a new mum a gorgeous sarong that can be worn loosely wrapped at the waist, as a dress (with some fancy tying!),  covers you up while nursing and is great for an impromptu picnic or light-weight baby blanket.  I've cherished mine through the years and still use the ones I was given after my son was born.  Further to this, an afternoon out shopping sans baby is also a great idea!  Treat mum to lunch and a bit of a shopping spree at her favourite shop!  You have no idea how much something new to wear is appreciated after having a baby!!

breakfast in bed, image via Martha Stewart

Lastly, you can't go wrong with a lie-in and breakfast in bed.  A morning spent relaxing is a luxury for a new mum (well any mum, really!) and the thoughtfulness of breakfast in bed is priceless!  

Mother's Day Gift Ideas - Gardening

We had a very big rainstorm here last night.  The kind that pelts your windows and keeps you up wondering if you've left any of them open with a wind that whips through any crack it can find!  I spent a large portion of it lying awake in bed wondering when I would here little feet running up for comfort (they didn't come!) and then slowly drifted off dreaming about my garden...

With Mother's Day right around the corner I thought I would put together some great last-minute gift ideas.   I figured that because I have gardening on the brain, I'd start off with some gorgeous items for the  gardener in your life...

Garden Markers

Tulip Book & Strawberry Plant via Flickr

Wind Chimes

Japanese Rain Chains

Heirloom Seed kit

A Hydrangea Plant via Martha Stewart

Birdhouse & Book

gardening tote via Etsy

I believe it is truly the thought that counts and that ultimatley a visit or a phone call or a really great hug from your kids is enough.  But let's face it, a small token for mum is never really too much on any day!