Tag

mother’s day gifts

Browsing

While most moms appreciate all the love and acknowledgement from the family for all that they do, she definitely wouldn’t mind some Mother’s Day gifts either! Better yet, some practical Mother’s Day gifts that she will not only enjoy but actually use.

Sure, there are things that mom really want for Mother’s Day that don’t cost anything, like some quiet time for herself or a quality time with the family. But who can say no to a gift? Here are some practical Mother’s Day gift ideas for mom this Mother’s Day.

Practical Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Yoga mat and bolster by b, half moon

As b, halfmoon says, “fall in love with the art of relaxation.” Yoga and meditation have become a daily practice for me and I highly recommend it to everyone – especially moms who are juggling so much every day. Yoga and meditation have a positive effect on the central nervous and immune systems, and can improve our mental health including reducing anxiety symptoms

If you need more comfort and padding when you’re practicing yoga like I do, the b, mat impact is thick, durable, and supportive on the wrists and knees with its extra cushioning. You can use indoors and bring outdoors too, and comfy enough for a long Savasana. Pair it with one of their beautiful meditation bolsters in rose clay linen to support you however you need – for opening up the heart, sitting up for meditation, and my favourite, supported bridge pose.  

b, mat impact $98
linen mod meditation cushion $118

Naomi sunglasses by Sol Kyst 

As we are finally seeing the sun again (hello sunshine!), it’s the perfect excuse for a new pair of sunnies! A gorgeous pair of sunglasses is the accessory that makes an outfit – and can give you confidence boost and make you look like a million bucks. Sol Kyst is a Canadian sunglasses and eyewear brand with size inclusive eyewear, fitting and flattering different face shapes. With three sizes of designs – the Mini, Midi and Wide, you’ll be able to find a shape and size that best suits your face.

The Naomi has a sleek, classic style with a high-quality and sturdy frame that pairs well with most outfits.They have UV 400 protection, scratch resistant coating and polarized nylon lenses. I’m wearing the Midi size.

Naomi sunglasses by Sol Kyst  $140

Lighthouse Clothing’s Iona Long Raincoat

Springtime can still be a little chilly, especially in the mornings when taking out the dog. The temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day. So you need a good waterproof rain jacket and I love this Iona Long Raincoat from Lighthouse Clothing. Lighthouse is a UK company and with the amount of rain they’re used to, you can bet their jackets hold up well!

Call it a warm jacket or light coat, the Iona is padded waterproof and windproof with a soft jersey striped lining and hood. It has a roomy A-line cut which means you can layer up on those chilling days. Also has two front zipped pockets and is machine washable. Pair it with the Causeway Breton navy stripe top, jeans, and Hunter rainboots – don’t forget the umbrella!

Iona Long Raincoat $135
Causeway Breton Top – Navy Stripe $79

 

Practical Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Vegamour’s HYRD-8 and GLO

Something happens when you reach a certain age and you may notice your hair becoming more lifeless and limp. Vegamour is line of holistic hair products that uses plant-based ingredients that can make your hair thicker and fuller – yes! If you have dry hair like me, you’ll love the HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask which is formulated to provide intensive moisture, reduce frizz and renew shine in just five minutes. You’ll also find the Leave-In Conditioner a great lightweight spray that also hydrates, detangles and reduces frizz. It also have heat protection so it can help protect your hair from the damage caused the blow dryer and hair straightener.

If you notice your lashes are disappearing and brows are thinning, you must try the bestselling GRO Lash and Brow Kit. Each serum revitalizes your lash and brow roots. These plant-based serums are formulated with clean and vegan ingredients. Most people notice a different between four to eight weeks.

HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask  $46
HYDR-8 Leave-In Conditioner $34
GRO Lash and Brow Kit  $122

Practical Mother's Day Gift Ideas Vegamour

HeLa Nutrition Organic Plant Protein

A lot of protein powders are loaded with artificial and allergenic ingredients, plus other supplements that might not be suitable for your diet. I myself can’t have gluten, soy or dairy and many of the protein powder options have all of those! I also have tried many brands with pea protein which don’t taste the greatest.

That’s what makes HeLa Nutrition’s Organic Plant Protein powder a winner – it has just a few wholesome and organic ingredients like easily digested sprouted peas, hemp, pumpkin seeds, basil seeds, and chia seeds – high in protein and fibre. It’s also sweetened with naturally sweet monk fruit. Bonus is that it’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, grain and nut free, organic, kosher, and non-GMO – and Canadian! Hela’s Organic Plant Protein come in Vanilla, Chocolate, and Natural flavours. With 22g of protein, 5g of fibre, 9 essential amino acids and only 5g net carbs per scoop.

Hela’s Organic Plant Protein  $59.99

Practical Mother's Day Gift Ideas Hela Nutrition

The Nurture Bundle by Consonant Skin + Care

As we emerge from the cocoon of cold, rainy days, the warmth of spring beckons us to take care of our skin!  Consonant Skin + Care creates 100% natural skin care products rooted in science, made in Canada! As one of the originals in natural skin care, they have been redefining how Canadians care for their skin for over 15 years. The Nurture Bundle is a lovely and affordable gift for Mom this Mother’s Day. The trio of body soaps are scented with 100% natural essential oils and smell divine. The Mint Soap Bar, Tangerine Soap Bar, and Mojito Soap Bar won’t strip the skin’s natural oils. Pair that with the Pure Unscented Body Lotion, which is non-greasy and loaded with organic botanicals that will absorb into the deeper layers of skin to improve texture and hydration. 

The Nurture Bundle $29.99

Practical Mother's Day gifts

For the new mom in your life…

Of course I could not include a copy of my book, “Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year” published by Familius. There are plenty of books and resources about how to properly care for your new baby, but what about caring for yourself? My book outlines the “proper care and feeding” of mothers during their baby’s first year with honesty and humor. From the physical and emotional changes a new mom will undergo to rekindling intimacy with her partner, my book keeps the focus on moms—because you can’t draw water (or breastmilk, for that matter) from an empty well!

Oh Baby! A Mom's Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year: Because Moms Need a Little TLC, Too!


ENTER TO WIN

One lucky mom will win a Mother’s Day Prize Pack which includes:

  • Yoga mat and bolster by b, half moon $226

  • $150 gift certificate for a pair of Sol Kyst sunglasses (your choice!)

  • HeLa Nutrition Organic Plant Protein $59.99

Good luck and Happy Mother’s Day!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Mother's Day

Treating Mom for Mother’s Day? Gifts are always welcome but what does mom also want? A Mother’s Day spa package or spa day where she can be pampered!

A Mother’s Day spa package at Hammam Spa is an escape from the urban chaos of Toronto, transporting you to the Middle East. What makes this luxurious spa in Toronto different from the rest is the Hammam area.

Hammam is a “Ritualistic Bath” built on the ancient philosophy of the traditional Turkish bath still found throughout Europe, Russia and Asia. Turkish baths were traditionally steam-filled grottos for social gatherings of the upper class. Women and men would lounge in the steam, during body treatments while socializing.

The Hammam Steam Room is a co-ed facility, so you can wear a wrap which the spa provides (along with a robe and slippers), or bring your own bathing suit. The steam of eucalyptus and other essential oils relaxes your body and senses. If the heat becomes too much, you can cool down in the Tea Lounge with a snack and a magazine.

Hammam Spa Steam Room

 

This May, Hammam Spa is offerings two special Mother’s Day Spa Packages… and I would gladly accept either or as a Mother’s Day gift, wouldn’t you?

 

Mother's Day spa package Hammam Spa

ENTER TO WIN

One lucky amotherworld reader will win a Mommy’s Time Out package at Hammam Spa in Toronto! You’ll enjoy a Hammam Steam and 90-minute Aromatherapy Massage.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter this fabulous giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

Wondering what gift to buy for Mother’s Day this year?

Sure a mani and pedi or a massage are saaaa-weet! Breakfast, lunch AND dinner out of the house with no clean-up and no screaming kids is always welcome – any day of the year.  Husbands, take note!

Heck even a foot rub by the kids will suffice – and the promise to not have to clean up after them for the rest of the day… week, year, any longer! Kids – you’re on your own from now on!

But if you’re looking to buy mom something this Mother’s Day, here are a few Mother’s Day gift ideas that will sure to please her.

Here are some gift ideas for Mother’s Day 2014:

Lampe Berger

Lampe Berger is known for being the finest maker of Fragrance Lamps and Fragrance in the world. As the original makers of the Fragrance Lamp, this company has had decades of practice in perfecting this top of the line home fragrance system.

Invented more than 115 years ago by the pharmacist Maurice Bergerto clean the air in hospitals, LAMPE BERGER purifies the air, destroys undesirable odours and fragrances the air in only 20 minutes. There are more than 80 different lamp styles and 40 refined “parfums de maison” created by the finest perfumers can be diffused.

LAMPE WOOD is designed in real ash wood and has a tall frosted glass lamp. Lampe Berger lamps start at $48 and Parfum de maison at $24.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Family Tree Photo Display

Mom can display her family tree in this cleverly-designed Umbra Family Tree Photo Display frame which features a white-on-white molded tree with six leaf-shaped clips that hold photos and other mementos, surrounded by a simple black frame. Celebrate your ancestry and genealogy, show off the kids and pets, or commemorate a special family event. It measures 20 x 24 inches. Designed by Jordan Murphy for Umbra. $50.

mother's day gift ideas

Wavemaker Bracelet

The WAVEMAKER Bracelets by Joseph Nogucci are designed in 3D print technology and dipped in vibrant enamel and each color represents a different and beautiful characteristic of its wearer – for example, Magenta is for Love, Red for Passion, Black for Power, Blue for Confidence and more. $60.

Mother's Day Gifts

Bow Dress Organizer

Jewelry organizers are a must-have for mom. This cute Umbra Bow Dress organizer has 21 mesh pockets and the back has 19 tabs. The neckline shaped metal hanger not only displays more jewelry but also rotates 360 degrees for access to all pieces on both sides. The dress can be used over the door, on the wall or in the closet. The dress measures 14 Inch by 30 Inch. Designed by Erika Kovesdi and Matt Carr for Umbra. $20.

mother's day gifts

Cappuccino & Espresso Maker

The Hamilton Beach Cappuccino & Espresso Maker is café quality made easy so you can enjoy authentic espresso and cappuccino beverages anytime. It has a powerful high pressure pump which extracts rich flavour from espresso grounds and has a no-fuss frother which turns milk into fluffy froth in seconds.

mother's day gift ideas 2014

Personalized iPhone or iPad Case

Protect your iPhone 4/4S or iPad in style with a personalized case. A hard aluminum back panel guards against scratches, while the high-quality case keeps your iPhone or iPad safe from wear and tear.  $14.99 and up at BLACKS.

Mother's Day gift ideas 2014

 

Neno Mom Bracelet

This Mother’s Day, DHL Canada Express and Me to We Artisans, a line of original accessories handcrafted by Maasai mama artisans in Kenya, have teamed up to celebrate mothers around the world with Me to We Artisans’ Neno Mom Bracelet. Sustainably produced using locally sourced materials, this unique Mother’s Day gift provides a personal connection between the consumer and a working artisan and helps support these mothers in raising healthy children. With every bracelet purchased DHL will donate $5 to provide a mother and child in a Free The Children community overseas with one health clinic visit.

mother's day gifts

Don’t have the funds to buy her something special? Not to worry. After all, the best Mother’s Day gift of all is something you can’t buy. Love… respect… appreciation.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas 2014

by Amanda Goetz

It’s almost Mother’s Day! You know what that means right? Yes, we finally get a day off!

Well, sort of. I have three kids (editor’s note: now 4!), I never get a day off, but I assume all you moms out there with kids old enough to use the bathroom alone get a bit of a break right? Right? Lie to me if you have to.

Personally I think Mother’s Day should come twice a month but then Dads would want the same and that’s just crazy-talk. I always get the same thing for Mother’s Day, breakfast made by my husband, a card and usually a gift card to somewhere. He works a lot so I’m always impressed he remembers or even has the time to pull that together. But it got me thinking about what all the other moms out there get for Mother’s Day.

I did a little informal poll over Twitter and Facebook the other day asking moms what their best and worst Mother’s Day gifts have been. By far the worst I saw was a meat slicer. A meat slicer? Really? Never get your mom/wife a kitchen appliance unless she specifially asks for one!

Maybe it’s your first year receiving or buying a Mother’s Day Gift, or perhaps past years haven’t gone so well. I’ve come up with a little list of Dos and Don’ts when it comes to Mother’s Day gifts so that this year things go better and no one ends up with a meat slicer (sheesh).

The Don’ts

Don’t get you wife/mother anything to do with cleaning or household chores! Vacuums, a new broom, a washing machine, an iron, NO NO NO! Even if she has mentioned she needs one or it would make cleaning easier for her this is not a gift that says “Hey, I appreciate you bringing me into this world, thanks Mom.”. If you’re going to get anything anywhere in the area of cleaning, a maid service is the only aceptable option. (My uncle got my aunt a weed wacker for their anniversary once, I realize that’s not a Mother’s Day gift but I just had to share that one. I’m amazed they’re still married.)

Don’t take her to Mother’s Day brunch. I know, you’re surprised by this one aren’t you? I have nothing against brunch per se, I enjoy having pasta salad with my french toast. But Mother’s Day at a restaurant for brunch is filled with other people’s screaming/crying kids, your own screaming/crying kids, people sneezing on the eggs, kids touching every piece of fruit and dessert they can before deciding they want more bacon, and servers that look like they’re about to burst out crying and scream “I Quit”!

Don’t buy her cut flowers. Another shocker huh? Cut flowers are pretty and all, but two weeks later when she’s sweeping up dried petals from all over and scrubbing a scummy, smelly vase they don’t seem so great. Better idea is to get her a plant, something with pretty flowers to keep in a pot or plant in the garden.

Don’t get her a gym membership unless she specifically said “I want a gym membership for Mother’s Day. Get me a Gym Membership.”. Her New Year’s resolution may have been to start going to the gym and lose weight, but a membership for Mother’s Day will only point out that A) She failed at keeping her resolution, and B) You think she needs to lose weight. Not cool.

Now for the Do’s

Do give her gift cards to her favourite stores. Some people don’t like gift cards cause they’re impersonal, but I’d rather get an impersonal gift card to my favourite clothing store than a sweater from that store that’s 3 sizes too big or a shirt I would NEVER pick out for myself.

Do get her jewellery. 99.99% of women like getting jewellery. Whether it’s diamonds or something that commemorates the moment she became a mom like a pendant with all you kids’ birthstones, she’s going to love it.

Do give her the gift of time (the number one response to my twitter/facebook poll for best gift). Send her out to the spa for the day. Take the kids to the park or the movies and leave her alone at home to scrapbook or read in peace. Get organized with some of her friends’ husbands and make a reservation for her and her friends for lunch at that place you never take her to cause they don’t serve a 16oz. steak.

Do make her breakfast or lunch or dinner, or all three. Cooking for her helps with Do #3, time. If you’re cooking she can be doing something else, like having a bubble bath or chatting with a friend. Just remember cleaning the kitchen after you eat is part of the deal. Do NOT leave a mess.

Speaking of cooking for mom, this is a great brunch recipe that your wife or mom would love. Serve it with hot buttery toast, fresh juice and a great cup of coffee and she’ll be mighty impressed. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

Hashbrown Quiche by Paula Deen

3 cups, shredded (frozen) hash browns, thawed and drained

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted

3 large eggs, beaten

1 cup half-and-half

3/4 cup diced cooked ham

1/2 cup diced green onions

1 cup shredded Cheddar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450˚F.

2. Gently press the drained hash browns between paper towels to dry them as best as possible.

3. Lightly coat a 9″ pie plate with cooking spray. Toss the hash browns with the melted butter and press them into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate to form a crust.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and starting to crisp.

5. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. When the hash brown crust is ready pour the egg mixture into it and return to the oven.

6. Lower the oven temperature to 350˚F and bake for about 30 minutes until the quiche is light golden brown on top and is cooked through and puffed up Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Amanda Goetz is a WAHM to 3 kids under the age of 5. Her love of cooking was fostered when she was a preschooler helping her grandma in the kitchen. After a year long stint as a sous chef, she left the industry to continue cooking as a hobby before the stress and politics of a professional kitchen killed her love of cooking. Now she creates delicious dinners and delectable desserts for her family and friends and blogs about it at The Best Mom on the Block.