This month we will be celebrating and paying tribute to the finest ladies in our lives on Sunday, May 10th, and the tradition of finding a “more perfect” Mother’s Day gift than the last is alive and well for most. This may sound like it’s a challenge but rest assured there are so many great ways to treat women of all ages that can easily be found all across town.
Boutiques, Boutiques, Boutiques!
Boutique shopping is particularly great for Mother’s Day gifts because of all of the unique finds each has to offer! Always on-trend because the buyers for our local boutiques generally hand pick the items they will carry from the most popular markets all over the United States, they bring the best of each season back to us here in Lincoln and currently have the latest in spring fashion available with plenty of new colors and looks for the season. You may not necessarily want to go for the items that are size specific, and that’s no problem either; most carry a great selection of scarves, belts, hats, hair accessories, purses, clutches, wallets, cosmetics or perfume, home décor items…the list goes on and on!
“If you are stuck on gift ideas this year, perhaps you may just treat her to a shopping trip on Mother’s Day or have her fill out a wish list at a local boutique,” advises Cherie Travis, owner of Rachel’s Boutique. “Each year we carry a Pandora Mother’s Day bracelet set as well as exclusive charms that can be added to an existing bracelet, or you could create your own charm bracelet too. You could also get her a matching set of jewelry, sunglasses and a handbag from Brighton’s signature line. In fact, through May 10th if you purchase a Brighton necklace and bracelet the matching earrings are free! All Pandora Mother’s Day gift sets and new mother’s day charms for 2015 are available right now, and gift wrap is always free. But if you just don’t know what she really wants this year, gift certificates always do the trick—in addition to our nice selection of jewelry and accessories, we have spring and summer clothing arriving daily.”
“What I find to be especially great for mothers this year is that comfort is in!” adds Kathy Hagge, owner of The Nines. “Flowy tops and skinny jeans that can also be folded up to create different looks remain on-trend among the new spring fashions, in addition to a nice pop of color and the lighter fabrics that are notorious for appearing with the arrival of spring. Kimono-style tops and dresses are being re-defined for spring, and nothing is better than a cute spring dress or a fun, comfortable pair of shorts. We have so many items at The Nines right now that are stylish AND comfortable—you just can’t beat that! We take great pride in offering our customers a selection of items that are figure flattering, fit comfortably, and are unique and fashion forward. As such, my recommendation is to treat your mom to a shopping trip to The Nines with a gift certificate for Mother’s Day. We are currently offering a Mother’s Day special too–as we are all about dressing to “The Nines”, we are adding 19% to the amount of any gift certificate sold until Mother’s Day. This is not only perfect for treating mom to some shopping time (you could even plan to tag along and spend some time together!), but it also works out well for the last minute shoppers out there. We look forward to helping you treat the important ladies in your life this Mother’s Day!”
Surprise Her With Sparkle
Another classic gift for the ladies, it never gets old to receive a beautiful piece of jewelry from a loved one. There are plenty of choices when it comes to jewelry; from gemstones, settings, and different designer lines to the varying styles of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches and even other types of beautiful accessories that are sold in local jewelry stores. As previously mentioned, charm bracelets are a very popular Mother’s Day gift too.
With jewelry, consider something that has personal meaning and/or has a Mother’s Day theme. This would include jewelry set with the birthstones of her children, or possibly jewelry that incorporates the words Mom, Mother or Grandmother. Within the variety off themed jewelry, you can also find pretty pendants and other pieces of jewelry shaped into people that represent mothers and families. These are just a few ideas–don’t let it limit you because pretty jewelry of any kind is generally a great gift to give! Jewelry stores also have a selection of jewelry available in a wide range of different price points, so no matter your budget, you will still be able to find a quality piece that is sure to be among the highlights of her special day.
However, with so many options the best way to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift is to stop into one of our reputable local jewelry stores (A.T. Thomas Jewelers and Sartor Hamann Jewelers are our top picks) and check out the selection for yourself!
Treat Her to Specialty Sweets
For the ladies who are notorious for having a serious sweet tooth, cupcakes or other fancy goodies will always do the trick very nicely. Well known for their creativity and signature recipes, Cupcakes and more… offers plenty of gourmet sweets that are fresh baked daily and can also be customized for the special ladies you want to treat this Mother’s Day. You can choose from plenty of specialty flavors of cupcakes (of course!) in three different sizes, as well as cakes, cake balls, cake pops, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, brownie shots—Cupcakes and more… can turn any vision into a reality! They are also open seven days a week, making it easy to stop by on-the-go and grab a few last minute sweets to celebrate the occasion. Special orders can be placed by phone, via the website, or in the store at 5700 Old Cheney Road, Suite 2. “All moms are invited to stop in and enjoy a free regular size cupcake on Mother’s Day, our treat!” adds Regina Henson, owner of Cupcakes and more…
Professional Pampering
Just as important as gift items, services that make you look and feel pretty are at the top of the list of great gifts for Mother’s Day.
“Our massages and facials are very popular for Mother’s Day, so as always we will offer package deals (through May 10th) where the two are combined with a nice discount,” says Ashley Pavlish, owner of Body Nouveaux Spa. “However, new this year we will be offering a special Image Skincare Credit too! Your mom will not only be pampered, but she will also go home with a FREE gift! You can find out more details on our website, www.bodynouveauxspa.com. We are the only providers of our Suddenly Slender Body Wraps in Lincoln, which are also very popular this time of year. Additionally, we offer our own spray tan formula called Tan Nouveaux, which isn’t available anywhere else in Nebraska. These gifts are perfect for a mini spring makeover and getting swimsuit-ready for the summer, which is right around the corner! We sell our gift certificates at the spa or you can purchase them online. Purchasing online is easy and very convenient, saves you a trip and some time, and you can easily print them out from your home or office.”
She adds, “If your mom is anything like mine, she gives and gives and doesn’t ask for anything in return. So when it’s my turn to give her something special, I try to think of something that she wouldn’t normally spend money on for herself. At Body Nouveaux, we love treating moms to services that have them walking out the door looking and feeling amazing!”
Ciao Bella Aesthetics & Permanent Cosmetics also offers plenty of services that mothers will love; the most popular among women include the O2 Lift, Ormedic Lift, Signature Face Lift™, and the Lightening Lift Peel ™.
O2 LIFT — Luxurious facial treatments infusing oxygen, plant-derived stem cells, peptides and a high concentration of enzymatic botanicals that absorb into the skin–leaving it luminous, refreshed and rejuvenated.
ORMEDIC LIFT — A blend of papaya, pineapple, and mango, this non-chemical peel naturally rebalances, regenerates, and restores your skin using organic ingredients with medical effectiveness.
SIGNATURE FACE LIFT™ — Ciao Bella’s signature, results-driven skin treatments will change the image of your skin in just one session. Vitamin C, Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids, and gentle yet effective enzymes speed up cellular turnover lightening, tightening and brightening all skin types; even Rosacea and sensitive skin.
LIGHTENING LIFT PEEL™ — Highly effective facial treatments blending lactic and kojic acids with a cocktail of lightening agents to reduce pigmentation and the redness caused by Rosacea.
So why consider giving your mom some pampering this Mother’s Day, aside from the relaxing benefits? Regardless of your age, if you want your skin to look its very best you need to consider regular monthly facials. A facial does for your skin what exercise does for your body. It keeps it in tip top shape. By sloughing, buffing, hydrating, clearing and nourishing on a professional level your skin will always look radiant and beautiful.
Seeking out a highly trained professional esthetician is like hiring a personal trainer for your skin. Your esthetician is there to offer you important advice about how your skin is influenced by diet, exercise, sun, stress and other lifestyle choices that affect the health and look of your skin.
Having a facial also offers a relaxing, de-stressing point of refuge where one can melt into luxury. As a mother it doesn’t get much better to take a little time out from the daily grind to lie down on a superbly comfortable bed with low lighting, soothing music and the soft sounds of waves rolling up onto the shore. When the door closes, all of the cares and worries you came in with are left on the other side of that facial room door.
“Every service I provide is designed around the woman I am working with,” explains Erica Lee, owner of Ciao Bella. “While ensuring the health of your skin, it also offers the opportunity to relax and de-stress. As a mother I know it can be especially difficult to take that important ‘me time,’ but 30 to 60 minutes a day that is focused on you will truly help to keep your life in balance. Furthermore, if you feel good about yourself you will project that into the world around you!”
Handle the House Cleaning
All of the mothers out there are generally the ones who are the most deserving of a respite from their normal household duties. So this year, consider giving the gift of house cleaning services. You’ll not only be giving her the gift of time to do something she really would rather be doing, but she’ll be refreshed when she returns to her professionally cleaned home! You could choose to set up a one-time cleaning or several appointments to get a regular schedule going; there are a variety of different options to choose from. It’s definitely a thoughtful way to give her a break to get out and enjoy a day to herself or spend precious time with her family making memories instead of being stuck inside cleaning!
“Mother’s Day is about showing your appreciation for the mother in your life and her hard work all year long,” expresses Crystal Patzel, owner of Crystal Clean Housekeeping. “Being a mother is tough. All of the cooking, cleaning, running errands, diaper changing, bedtime stories, grocery shopping, need I continue? One day a year is dedicated to us showing the mothers in our lives just how much we care. The gift of professional house cleaning provides one less task for mom to check off her list without having to scrub those toilets herself. And we’ve found from experience that all of our ‘mom’ clients really appreciate this.
We are currently offering gift certificates for 10% off during the month of May. You tell us what cleaning services your mother would like and we will provide your personalized gift certificate to you at 10% off of our regular price for those services. Feel free to call or email us for more details!”
She adds, “When you are out shopping for the mother in your life, remember to think about them as an individual. Some moms love flowers or chocolates while others would prefer a free babysitter for a night or a day at the spa. Don’t just grab the first thing you see while out grocery shopping! Take the time to really show your appreciation with a heartfelt gift.”
Gathering Together to Celebrate Mother’s Day
Finally, many of us are looking forward to gathering together with our loved ones to celebrate Mother’s Day. If you’re looking for a special place to spend time together that doesn’t require much work on your end, you’re probably not alone. Considering that Mom is excluded from doing any of the work on this particular day, it might be wise to leave the hosting up to professionals at a local venue who will be working hard to make sure Mother’s Day is a memorable occasion for their guests. After all, treating your mom, or many times the entire family, to a fabulous dining experience is a great way to spend Mother’s Day together. There are plenty of excellent local restaurants in Lincoln, with a healthy mix of established venues that are classic favorites as well as newer spots that you may be dying to try out. As it’s a very busy day in the restaurant industry, make sure to call ahead and make a reservation or plan the events of your day accordingly.
No matter what you choose to present to the special mothers who you know and love this year to show your appreciation for all that they do, it all comes down to the well-known saying, “It’s the thought that counts.” With so many excellent options, there’s sure to be something perfect out there for every lady on your list. We wish all of the lovely mothers out there a wonderful, blessed Mother’s Day —you truly have made our world a better place and we are thankful to have you all in our lives!