Out of the Box Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Flowers, jewelry, chocolate, brunch- These are all conventional elements of Mother's Day. Let's face it, though- they are all way overdone.

Instead of doing the traditional Hallmark-style Mother's Day, consider one of these more out-of-the-box options. Your mom will thank you for it, and you'll be giving a gift that's both memorable and unique.

All photos courtesy of morguefile.com

Give Mom the gift of memories!

Many moms and dads love to talk about the way things were when "they were young." I've noticed this is especially true with TV programming. Nowadays, TV is loaded with sex and violence. Practically every station has a version of crime-scene investigators analyzing a gory scene.

Instead of watching that disgusting junk, buy your mom a season of her favorite TV series. It will prove that, not only do you know what she likes, but you also listen to her while she's talking to you about her childhood.

Everyone loves nostalgia, so TV seasons on DVD are sure to please.

Plan a uniquely-themed day to show you care

Most often, the best memories stem from experiences, rather than objects. This Mother's Day, plan a unique experience that you can share together. Your mom will love it, and you'll both reap the benefits of spending time together.

Don't make your mom plan a thing (unless, of course, you know she's the type that needs to be in charge). Most women (and people, for that matter) like to be surprised by a well thought-out event. Pick something that is specific to her interests. Here are some ideas to get you started:

-Movie Day: Buy two tickets to a movie coming out, or rent some DVDs you know she'd like. Don't forget the popcorn and gummy bears!

-Spa Day: See the video below on how to make cucumber ice pads. Get that, along with some nail polish and face masks, and pamper yourself at home. Or, purchase two manicures from a local salon.

-Nature Day: Go to your favorite park, picnic area, or botanical garden. Pack a lunch and a blanket!

-Shopping Day: Go to your mom's favorite store, and surprise her with a gift card when you arrive. You two will have fun picking out items, and she'll feel free to pick out something she likes without worrying about how the price tag will effect your bank account.

Teach your little one the meaning behind the day

I recently had a baby, and so Mother's Day has taken on special meaning for me this year. One of my favorite activities to do with my little one is read books. Even though she's only a few months old, she loves listening to my voice and looking at the pictures.

For this Mother's Day, we'll probably do something along those lines. I saw that Mercer Mayer has a Little Critter's Mother's Day book, and so I'm excited to get that one to share with my little girl.

Many popular characters (such as the Berenstein Bears and Little Critter) have special Mother's Day books.

Mom can get the gift she REALLY wants!

Last Mother's Day, I was strapped for time and ended up purchasing a gift card in a checkout line at the store. I grabbed the iTunes card, assuming that it would work in a pinch for gifts.

I was totally surprised that my mom loved the gift card! Although she didn't know how to use iTunes, we spent a fun afternoon together downloading music and looking up "golden oldies." It gave us a great bonding experience, and it ended up being a great gift.

***Keep in mind, though- Buy her a gift card she could conceivably want and use. For example, buying her a gift card to a meat market when she's a vegetarian doesn't really say you appreciate her as a mom. Also, if you buy her a card to a clothing or department store she rarely goes to, odds are the gift card will sink to the bottom of her purse and stay there.

Sentimental, Cherished Memories

A few years ago, I started a memory journal with my grandma. After a few months, I forgot about it. Thankfully, though, she didn't, and kept writing in it every week until it was full. I now have a cherished book of her childhood memories, which I'll be able to keep years after she passes away. It means a great deal to me, and I'm so happy to have it.

A mother-daughter letter book follows this same concept. By writing letters to each other, you create a book full of stories that will remain even if your memory fades. It can be passed on to other generations as well, making this the perfect gift to have and hold onto for years to come.

Beyond macaroni necklaces

YouTube has some amazing ideas for DIY projects that mom will love. I've posted a few that I like here, such as the cucumber eye pads, ombre shirts (VERY in right now), and tee-shirt scarves. Check out the videos below for some good ideas.

Skip the candy roses and macaroni necklaces, and make her a gift she'll actually want and use! She'll thank you for it (and mean it!).

What a great idea! These ice cucumber pads cost just pennies, but give mom the "spa" feel she can keep in the freezer.

Hey, if you have a shirt and the color-dying materials, you could do this project for free!

If you don't have a shirt that fits your mom, I DO NOT recommend sneaking into her closet to grab one. Find a basic tee for cheap at a store like Walmart or Target, or EVEN better- stop by a thrift store and give an old shirt new life.

This is another shirt idea, but a great one in case you really don't have any money to spend. These scarfs are very trendy right now, and as long as you have scissors and an old tee-shirt, it won't cost you anything.