Mother’s Day is in less than a week. Are you ready? Are you going to take her out to brunch? Surprise her with a spa day? That’s good. But if you are out of ideas, here’s a little help!
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Are you on a budget? No worries, you can still get your mom something nice without breaking the bank.
A nice handbag and scarf in a beautiful print and a soft fabric will make nice additions to any woman’s wardrobe and will be used year-round; but if you feel confident about your mom’s taste and size, you can also choose a nice top in a soft, lush fabric (like the one above, in chiffon).
Jewelry is an obvious choice for a reason: what woman doesn’t enjoy accessorizing with something sparkly? Among its more expensive items, Nordstrom also usually has a nice selection of affordable jewelry you can choose from. Also scout your favorite clothing stores, since the accessory section usually features inexpensive but right-on-trend and super-wearable earrings, necklaces and bangle sets (the one above is from French Connection.)
If she is a practical woman, a pair of flats will make a great present: whether you choose skimmers or sandals, pick something in a neutral color with pretty details, like a delicate leather flower or a bejeweled applique.
And don’t forget about makeup: Lancôme and Estée Lauder make beautiful palettes, and a bottle of Chanel nailpolish in a gorgeous spring shade is always a fabulous treat. Make sure you wrap it beautifully and add an oversized ribbon or bow (I love to use satin ribbons), accompany it with a small bouquet of flowers and you have a winner!
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If you have a bit more breathing room in your budget, you can still utilize the suggestions I made above, choosing higher quality fabrics: a silk scarf, a leather handbag, gold jewelry.
An increased budget also allows you to choose specialty items, like designer stationery (the two notebooks above are by Lanvin and Smythson) or more luxurious items like designer fragrance.
There’s also lots of choice in the accessory department: for instance Kate Spade makes lovely, slightly quirky accessories (and most of them are budget-friendly) that will add a great touch of relaxed luxury to any outfit.
Whatever you choose, I would recommend going for a single item rather than several less expensive ones, as a present is more special when it’s something the recipient doesn’t usually treat herself to.
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If you want to make this day extra-special for Mom and you have the means to do so, think “pampering”: a lunch in a beautiful restaurant, a gift certificate for a spa weekend, a surprise picnic where she has to do absolutely nothing but lay comfortably in a lawn chair and hold a mimosa 
And if you want to add a special gift, here are some ideas, all above $100, most under $250:
- a gorgeous cosmetic case filled with beautiful makeup: a palette (or several eye shadows and a blush), makeup brushes, a lipstick or two, maybe a moisturizer or a small bottle of her favorite fragrance;
- think of her passions and her character: for the creative spirit, a digital camera or a sketching set; for the globetrotter, a beautiful travel set; for the busy mom who has lots going on, a fabulous organizer with a matching pen (or a smart phone);
- think customized: a beautiful gold necklace or bracelet with her initials, a stationery set personalized with her name and address.
Whatever you decide on, don’t forget that presentation is as important as the gift itself: take extra care with the gift wrap, choose a nice card and add a personal message, and try to present the gift during some well-organized quality time with your mom.
If you live far and you are mailing your gift, don’t forget to call her and say Happy Mother’s Day!
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