By Colin White | Contributor
Special days are taking on a whole new meaning in this trying time, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to find ways to celebrate the most important people in our lives. Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and, whether you are sheltering in place together or apart, it can seem suddenly much more difficult to pull off a standard celebration. However, with just a little ingenuity, you can do something even more special than your yearly brunch out. Don’t let disadvantageous circumstances keep you stymied. Here are a couple of ideas to give you a start!
- Pre-schedule a nice breakfast from your local bakery, coffee shop, or brunch spot for pick-up or delivery. Then it’s all a go for breakfast in bed! A morning where Mom doesn’t have to worry about a thing. If you are quarantined separately, schedule the food delivery remotely and have a video chat meal! Mother’s Day brunch saved, and you get to patronize your local businesses in a tough time, win-win!
- Get crafty! Do you have a driveway? A front sidewalk? Break out the chalk and make something artsy and meaningful for Mom. Not the best artist? Write out a list of things you appreciate in fun chalk colors. It doesn’t matter how good it is, as long as it’s from the heart.
- Younger kids? This old classic still works wonders. Your mom is probably overwhelmed, with all of the schedule changes and new challenges of having everyone home 24/7. Make a fun and crafty coupon book of ways you can help out and make her life easier, and then keep doing those things even after the coupon is used, without being asked. A little bit of help goes a long way.
- Does your mom love puzzles? Do you have an awesome family photo or just one that means something to your family? Have a photo puzzle made. Activity and treasured family moment immortalized all in one gift.
- Family scattered all over the place? As long as you all have internet, you can get together and engage in some wholesome family fun. Use something like Jackbox TV games and a Zoom chat to have a family game night in every place at once. Everybody gets to laugh, and Mom gets some special family bonding time.
- Is your mom a reader? Does she look to books to escape the stresses of everyday life (now more than ever)? There are several book salons like Greatthoughts.com and subscriptions like the Book of the Month Club, that will make sure her literary itch stays scratched all year. And, let’s face it, we all need a little escape right now.
- Bond with your mom over movies. Arrange a digital movie night when you can watch no matter how far apart you are. Use apps and websites like Rabbit to make sure you press play at the same time, get on the phone and react together as a family watching a movie in real time.
