What do you get for the girl who has everything? This question is always answered in advertisements by showing diamonds or a brand new car. I mean, sure the answer is simple when money is not an option and the “girl” in question is your fabulous wife. However, what do you do when your income isn’t diamond ready or when the girl who has everything is the woman who has given birth to you?

This is the dilemma I face EVERY May when Mother’s Day sneaks up on me. I mean, it’s so much easier when you are younger, you can give your mom a plant or your picture in the frame, and it’s all good. However, as you get older, it’s harder to be more creative, and give a gift that your mother won’t regift for your aunt next year at Christmas. You’ve got to get the gift your mother really wants, really needs or really didn’t realize she didn’t have.

Of course I don’t know your mother, so I can exactly advise what those gifts are, but I can definitely try to steer you in the right direction with a few ideas.

MOTHER REALLY WANTS
If you talk to your mother enough, she will make subtle hints on what she wants. Watch when she flips through a magazine or watches TV, you might her say things like “Those shoes are cute” or “I’d love a bag like that.” These are your clues. The greatest thing is that you can find really cute alternatives that are in your price point. For example, let’s say your mom smells perfume in a magazine or when you’re in the mall, and really likes it, you should look online for a cheaper bottle or a small size and give that to her. This is great because when you see how much she loves it, you can buy the bigger bottle for a birthday or Christmas. Of course, you can also just ask her and usually your mom will give you a few options to choose from. Choose the one she seems the most excited about.

MOTHER REALLY NEEDS
There are quintessential items that every woman needs and your mother is no exception. These items may fare on the cheaper side, but they are much more appreciated and necessary than a box of chocolates and a teddy bear that says “I LOVE YOU MOM.” Things that fall under this category include pedicure and manicure gift certificates, dinner for two at a nice restaurant, gift card to Wal-Mart or Target, and so on and so forth. As long as you have an idea of where your mom shops and what her daily routine is, these gifts are easy, affordable and sure to make your mom happy.

MOTHER DIDN’T REALIZE SHE DIDN’T’ HAVE
This final suggestion is really contingent upon the relationship with you and your mother. In order to buy this type of gift, you have to really think outside the box. This means, finding a way to give your mom an “experience” rather than a gift. Here are a few examples: cooking a nice dinner for your mom and buying a new pot, getting your hair/nails done together, taking her to MAC for a makeover and paying for the new makeup, hiring a maid service for the day and the list goes on and on.

So if you are like me, and you’re trying to find a way to buy something for your mom that doesn’t involve engraved pen holders, edible arrangements or flowers, hopefully you’ll take my advice and find a way to give your mother a Mother’s Day she won’t soon forget.

-Christian Law

Oh behalf of SASSY, we’d like to wish all the mothers an absolutely fabulous Mother’s Day!

We are thankful to our bougie baller for sharing this post with us from her blog:

MOTHER’S DAY! It’s just around the corner!

I love Mother’s Day! What better way to show appreciation to mom then a day completely devoted to how awesome she is? Realistically we should tell tell our mother’s how much we appreciate her every day, but Mother’s Day gives us a chance to make up for all of the forgetful moments, the gaffs, and the mistakes.

And Mother’s Day doesn’t just have to be for your mother… I like to surprise my aunts, my grandmothers, and some of the other important “mom” figures in my life with cards or little tokens to say “I appreciate you.”

But how do you show someone you appreciate them without breezing through all your worldly savings? Or in my case, how do you show a group of women that already have everything that you love and appreciate them?

1. Be “around”: If you’re mom is the emotional sort or loves your company, she’ll love the idea of you being around… even if it’s just for a day or two. You might not have the money to throw buckets of stuff at her, but you can hang out with her for the weekend, cook her breakfast, take her to the movies, and do simple stuff for her (like clean the house or take out the trash). This is a great option if you live semi-close or within traveling distance. Check out Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, and Kayak for last minute airfare travel deals, use AAA to get a 10% discount on Amtrak, or just hop on the various cheap travel buses like New Century Travel (do it for mom)!

2. Give her an “experience”: Take mom out to dinner, take her to a play, or take her to her favorite garden. If you want to get really sentimental, take her somewhere that has significance for both of you. Are you and your mom science geeks? Take her to the Body World Exhibit! Another example – my grandmothers are both fans of The View… so I got them tickets to go hang out and sit in the audience … it was also an economical decision since tickets are free Be creative with this one since there are lots of interesting and fun things you can do here!

3. Be “material”: Is mom a rare flowers fanatic? Send her a combination of her favorite flowers. Send her on a day-long spa trip. Get her a cute charm bracelet… is she a technology wiz? Send her the latest in scanner technology!

4. Be “creative”: Make a photo album with memorable moments from her life, starting with childhood. Plan a home-cooked brunch for all of the dynamic women in your life, and honor them each with a little handwritten memory card… call your mom at the crack of dawn and sing her favorite song over the phone!

So bougies, how do you celebrate the women in your lives? Do you do anything special? Any memorable moments come to mind?

Good luck and cheers!

-the bb