MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE 2008

She stays up until 2 a.m. baking cupcakes for classroom birthday celebrations. She reads the favorite book. Again. One more time. OK, maybe one more. The woman hasn’t gone to the bathroom by herself in years. Once a year you get a chance to say thank you. Mother’s day is May 11.

| Posted: 06 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

1-19 of 19

• Memory Quilt Kit

  

  She won’t throw out her old concert shirts, her hole-ridden college tee, the undershirt she was wearing when she went into labor. Thank goodness she likes to sew.

  $75 at Uncommon Goods | Buy

  

  | Posted 06 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Women’s Fleece Travel Slippers

  

  Now you can kick off your shoes on the plane, without subjecting fellow travelers to your stinky feet.

  $25 at Land's End | Buy

  

  | Posted 06 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Navy Cotton Jersey Jammies

  

  She’s a mom, not a nun. These soft jersey pajamas have hot pink contrast stitching and waist tie. The capri knickers have cute ties at the knees. As practical as her sweats, but a great deal more fashionable.

  $52 at Kitten Miami | Buy

  (Order top and bottom separately.)

  

  | Posted 05 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Cotton-Cashmere Primrose Cardigan

  

  This sweet, lightweight sweater is a bit of non-neutral luxury for her Spring wardrobe. Comes in “lemon twist” and “bright tangerine.” Safety first.

  $98 at J Crew | Buy

  

  | Posted 05 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Yellow Tulip and Purple Iris Bouquet

  

  There is a very small window when bulb flowers are available, so pounce while you can. Whoever put Mother’s Day smack in the middle of spring was a genius.

  $50 at 1-800-Flowers | Buy

  

  | Posted 02 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Vibrant Ranunculus Bouquet

  

  This bright bouquet will make her want to hum a little something as she goes about her day. If you order early delivery for Mother’s Day, there’s no shipping or service charge.

  $65 at 1-800-Flowers | Buy

  

  | Posted 02 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Candela

  

  I know you’ve seen these babies everywhere, but a friend of mine mentioned that they’re terrific for homes with kiddos. All the romance of candlelight, none of the open flame. Good point. They turn on when you lift them from the charging base, and last for about for five hours. They also turn on instantly during a power failure.

  If you prefer the look of votives, they make those too.

  $69 at Vessel | Buy

  

  | Posted 02 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Doodle Tag

  

  The refrigerator is wallpapered with your kid’s art, and it just keeps coming. Send along a scan of your child’s doodle and get a custom recycled silver tag back.

  $95 at Mommy Tags | Buy

  

  | Posted 02 May, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• “Relax, Take a Bath” Gift Set

  

  Lush makes high-quality bath products by hand in small batches. When I have one of their bath bombs on hand, the anticipation reminds me of how much fun baths were when I was a little kid. This package contains three calming, lavender-scented luxuries: a bath melt, a bath bomb, and a bubble bar.

  $20 at Lush | Buy

  

  | Posted 01 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Cuisinart RK-17 Traditional Cordless Electric Kettle

  

  You can finally have convenience of an electric kettle without giving up the nostalgia of your stove kettle. (via Not Martha)

  $80 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 01 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Envirosax Flora Series Pouch

  

  I saw this fun reusable shopping bag in O Magazine, but of course it was sold out by the time I got there. Then I realized you could buy a “pouch” of each design series. I got five bright bags in all the floral prints they offer, for only $5 each. (They also offer an intriguing black and white series.)

  Now I can match my bag to my T-shirt at the farmer’s market, which is crucial.

  $35 at Envirosax | Buy

  

  | Posted 01 May, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Precious Charm

  

  A way to carry your child with you wherever you go. Their fingerprint cast in gold or silver on one side, their initials on the other. Put your completed charm on a necklace, bracelet or key ring.

  $170 at Precious Charms | Buy

  (Price converted from Australian Dollars)

  

  | Posted 01 May, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Fickr Pro Account

  

  New Moms take lots and lots of photos. If your hard drive is getting clogged, get her a Flickr Pro account with unlimited uploads and storage. Bonus: Friends can print their own photos when they see one they’d like.

  $25 at Flickr | Buy

  

  | Posted 30 Apr, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Year of Seeds

  

  If your mom has a green thumb, this is the most economical way to get her an entire year of flowers. Comes with seed packets and twelve pretty pots in different colors.

  $75 at Red Envelope | Buy

  

  | Posted 30 Apr, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Custom Silhouette Pendant

  

  The silhouette is a subtle way to tell the world your kids are the cutest. Perfect for the understated mom.

  Send in a profile picture of your child, pet, significant other and artist Whitney Phippen will create a silhouette mounted in a pendant.

  $48 at Craftsbury Kids | Buy

  (For a one silhouette pendant.)

  

  | Posted 30 Apr, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Zelco “itty bitty” Book Light

  

  The rest of the house is asleep. Mom finally gets to read.

  $30 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 29 Apr, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder

  

  If your mom can use an ATM, she can use this video recorder. When she’s ready to download, a USB key flips out of the side. No cords, no cards, no tech support calls. Especially excellent for new moms and grandmas.

  $132 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 29 Apr, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Macaroni Card

  

  A lovely letterpress card that will remind mom of how much she misses your childhood installments of macaroni art.

  $6 at Pancake and Franks | Buy

  

  | Posted 28 Apr, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Bamboo Bathtub Caddy

  

  She has the tub, the glass of wine, and the book she’s been dying to read. Now the best gift you could give a mom is enough time to take a long soak – this bamboo tray is just icing.

  $47 at Delight.com | Buy

  

  | Posted 28 Apr, 2008 by Margaret Mason