By Melinda Myers
Even though your mom may say, “It’s the thought that counts,” you want to find the perfect gift this Mother’s Day to express how much you appreciate all she does throughout the year. No matter your budget, giving mom a gift that provides days, months, and even years of joy is possible.
Cut flowers are one of the most popular Mother’s Day gifts. They require no dusting or maintenance and are sure to generate a smile. Behavioral research at Rutgers University found that the gift of flowers has immediate and long-term benefits.
Extend her enjoyment further by helping her grow, tend, and enjoy gardening throughout the growing season. A gift certificate to her favorite garden center, hobby store, or retail location allows mom the freedom to select her own gift. She can enjoy time shopping for something special that she wouldn’t normally buy for herself.
A hanging basket or container garden is another way to give Mom a season of flowers and much more. Gardening helps improve health and well-being by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, strengthening muscles, and increasing flexibility.
If Mom likes to cook, a potted tomato, container of greens, or window box of herbs may be the perfect gift. She can grow, prepare, and boost the flavor and health benefits with fresh, flavorful, and nutrient-rich vegetables and herbs.
If she prefers to plant herself, consider giving her a container, potting mix, and some seeds or plants. Add some plant labels, and let her create her own container garden.
Update her garden tools and accessories with something colorful, like the Burgon & Ball® British Meadow pruner and holster set. This pretty and functional gift, with comfort-grip handles, allows Mom to keep gardening longer. The colorful holster keeps the pruners right where she needs them for deadheading and pruning small branches.
No matter Mom’s age or fitness level, it’s important to protect her joints when gardening. Gifting her a colorful Kneelo® kneeler or knee pads (coronatools.com) will encourage her to do just that. The bright colors make them easy to find, and the shock-absorbing foam interior provides a very comfortable surface that helps reduce knee stress.
Add a hat to further protect Mom from the heat and sun when working outdoors. If it’s comfortable and looks good, she’ll be more likely to wear it. For added sun protection, include some sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses.
Many mothers appreciate the gift of time. Helping Mom in her garden, working around her home, or assisting her with another hobby is a great way to spend time together and create memories while doing something she loves.
Consider giving Mom one of these or another gift that provides immediate and long-term enjoyment. She’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness when she opens the package, unwraps the flowers, or puts the tools and accessories to use all season long.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released “Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition” and “Small Space Gardening.” Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for “Birds & Blooms magazine” and was commissioned by Wild Valley Farms to write this article.
For more information, visit: MelindaMyers.com.
