Tell me about your mom. Do you still have your mom or do you miss her?

My mom is a cross between Annie Oakley and Martha Stewart.

Well, she was the original Martha Stewart before there WAS a Martha Stewart.

She sewed all her own curtains and lots of my clothes; could make slipcovers and refinish furniture; is a wonderful cook; has gorgeous gardens - she is a master gardener and has landscaped and taken care of two huge properties for decades; is a gifted floral arranger; built things with wood; and learned how to make baskets and quilts - she made every grand baby a crib quilt, starting with Whitten. She taught me how to do all of the above. She also was not afraid to trap critters, lay a stone retaining wall and shoot squirrels with a BB gun.

All while raising three kids and a menagerie of pets. She is a great mom, a wonderful mother in law and a fabulous Nana. She’s the best.

She’s also very hard to buy for!

By this time in our lives, those of us who are lucky enough to still have our moms, are buying for women who are in their late seventies on up into their nineties. Usually the last thing they need or want is more stuff. My mom is trying to get rid of stuff. They would rather spend time with us than anything else. Having said that, it is nice to remember them with a little something for Mother’s Day.

I have listed some ideas below with embedded links. I hope this helps if you are having trouble figuring out what to get for the woman who has everything, and/or wants nothing but you and her grandkids!

And tell me in the comments, what do you like to receive on Mother’s Day?

• If she’s a clothes horse like me, take her to her favorite shop nearby and help her pick out a little something. A scarf is a great pop of color to her wardrobe and easy to wear.

• How about something to make getting around easier? This garden walker is great for moms who like to garden. Perhaps a pretty cane to use when dressed up.

• Or something to make it easier to reach things - we are all getting shorter. (But I swear I think hanging from a bar helps…) How about this grabber to reach things or this to reach spots in her back that need some massage! (My mom actually lent me hers and it’s great!!)

• If she is tired of cooking or can’t cook much, a healthy meal delivery service is great. There is probably one in your area. Even if it’s just once a week, it will help her eat healthier and with less effort.

• A good book is always a great idea if she likes to read, or maybe a book about her favorite place, or a subscription to her favorite magazine.

• Speaking of subscriptions, who doesn’t like flowers? How about a subscription to fresh flowers or plants for 3 months or 6 months? Or you could just take her some from your favorite florist, or have some sent to her ( here or here) if you are far away. A good thing to do, is find the best florist where she lives and call them directly.

• Does your mom like to sit and do creative things? How about a coloring book or puzzle, and an Ott Lite to see it better?

• Is she struggling with technology? (Aren’t we all?) How about a gift card for the Geek Squad to come out and help her figure it out, if it’s out of your league?

• If she spends a lot of time on the sofa or sitting in a chair, how about this nice soft throw? She can throw it in the washer and dryer too. Or a new bathrobe or bed jacket? (here - my 90 year old aunt has this one, here, and here)

• An obvious one - her favorite scent or lotion.

• Memories are always loved - how about a pretty frame (here and here) with a picture of you!

• Mother’s Day is very hard for a bereaved mother. In fact, it’s one of the hardest days of her year. If she has lost a child, a grand child, or her husband for that matter, a piece of jewelry to remember them, is really nice. A simple necklace with an engraved disk, or a birthstone is a nice memento.

My mom is a smart lady. She’s a tough cookie too. She has lost her parents and siblings, her middle child, her first grandchild and watched her daughter lose her only child.

She has given me lots of advice over the years and this one she wrote down and I saved it. I look at it every month and I try to remember it.

Tell me about your mom.