Four Gifts Mom Will Really Love This Mother’s Day

“Every day is Mother’s Day.”

We couldn’t agree more with Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow and author of “Own Your Glow” (Hay House Inc., 2017). Moms are amazing; they sacrifice everything for their children and families—including their bodies, time, love and energy. “[We should celebrate moms every day], not make it just a one-day thing,” Thomas says. “I think we have to start appreciating the contributions of women, mothers and caregivers throughout the year.”

However, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook this year. If you’re unsure of what to get mom for Mother’s Day, instead of reaching for a bouquet of flowers, go for something a bit more special for the woman who gave you life. (“Mothers love flowers. We love flowers, all year. It’s awesome to get them all at once, but then we don’t get to appreciate them all at once. So maybe spreading those out would be a really great thing to do,” Thomas says.)

Here are four gifts she recommends for new and seasoned moms alike.

Presence (not presents)

While baby clothes, diapers and other newborn gifts are wonderful, what new moms really need, Thomas says, is support from their community.

“I remember when I was a new mom with my son how hard it was to even get a workout in. It was really hard to even leave the house and go to yoga,” Thomas says. “Moms really want to feel supported, not just the final weeks of pregnancy or when the babies first arrive. But really checking in, calling, coming over so they can speak to adults, maybe change some diapers, baby-sit so they can go take a class. It’s not just gifts, it’s presence. That’s really helpful for the new mom. For moms, time is one of those commodities that we have precious little of. It’s a resource that we don’t get to recoup.”

For moms of older or adult children, Thomas recommends giving mom a night off her feet by cooking dinner for the family (that includes dish duty afterward). Other ideas include cleaning and organizing the house or doing yardwork—anything to give mom a relaxing day off.

Time with friends

While Thomas loves taking trips with her son, sometimes she says it’s nice to get away with her girlfriends. Gift mom a day at the spa, time for brunch with friends or a trip away with her girlfriends.

Gift of movement

“So many women feel stagnant, or tired, or fatigued. It’s because they’re not moving their bodies,” Thomas says. She recommends gifting mom a membership to a gym or pre-purchased fitness classes. That way, she can do a workout she’s excited about or try something new and fall in love with fitness.

“That’s a really nice gift because it keeps on giving. She might find something that she loves and might sign up for the year,” Thomas says. “I love gifts like that that really speak to where a mom is in her life. If she’s tired, she can’t just take naps. She has to move her body, too, because then she’ll actually have more energy.”

What does she want?

If you’re still not sure what to get mom, ask her. “Go a step farther and ask, ‘What is it that you really want?’ And gift in that way—even if it’s gifting yourself. Really check in on what it is that she really needs and gift her based on that,” Thomas says.

Read more about Latham Thomas and reclaiming your radiance in our February magazine.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Latham Thomas