For 18 years, give or take, she’s been there. She cleaned upafter you, kept your stomach from growling by putting dinner on thetable, hounded on you to go to class, made little sandwiches foryou to take to school (with the crusts neatly chopped off) and tookthe blame when Andy’s mom from across the street complained aboutthe toilet paper on their trees.
Well, maybe your memories are different than mine, but whateverthey are, she’s been there. And she deserves a break.
This Mother’s Day, give her the reward she’s earned for putting upwith you: give her a friend.
You’re a college student now; you’re not that bratty kid who onlycares about the Power Rangers figurine she won’t buy you. You’reolder and mature enough to spend time with your mom without needingher to take care of you while you’re doing it.
Your mom doesn’t want flowers; she wants someone to go with her topick them.
Rather than giving her some meaningless perfume or a random skirtthis year, give your mom the best present she can hope for byspending some quality time with her.
Quality Time – what is that exactly? Let me clarify. Qualitytime is not taking your mom to go see a movie. She can see a movieany day of the week. But what she might not be able to do any dayis have time to talk and laugh for hours with her precious son ordaughter. And more than anything else, that’s what she wants thisSunday.
Can’t think of any creative ideas? Not a problem. Here are mysuggestions for the perfect Mother’s Day outing.
10. Take her horseback riding through the Saratoga hills where youcan bond over weird manure smells, a sore butt and the breathtakingscenery of one of the South Bay’s most beautiful trails. CallGarrod Farms Riding Stables at 408-876-9527. Cost: $30 perperson.
9. No matter what she says, moms love to dance, especially when herkids aren’t too embarrassed to dance with her. Guys, take her tothe Starlite Ballroom in San Jose where you can learn popularsocial dances such as salsa, swing, the night club two step andmany others. And if you realize you don’t have a right foot, whocares? It’s just one more thing you can both laugh about. Call408-745-7827 for more info. Cost: $12 per person.
Oh, and girls, have a girls’ night out and learn to belly dance atBelly & Gypsy Dancing by Elayna. Call 408-506-2201 for moreinfo. Cost: varies
8. If you have the money, use it by treating your mom like a queen(and yourself like a prince or princess) at LaBelle Day Spa andSalon in the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. Both you andyour mom can enjoy a champagne rose and caviar facial, chocolatedecadence pedicure (or a sports massage for the guys), acomplimentary lunch, a goodie bag and more. Cost: $395 for both youand your mom.
7. Make your day out a memory she will never forget. Get alldressed up and take her to the Magic Photo studio in Sunnyvale TownCenter. Then every time she looks in her wallet or on her officedesk, she’ll be reminded of how much her kid loves her. Cost:$36.50+ depending on what package you buy.
6. Grab your shovel and bucket and head down to a beach – anybeach! Better yet, spend the night camping on a beach in Half MoonBay or stay at one of the famously unorthodox rooms at the MadonnaInn at Pismo Beach. Visit Madonna Inn to see just how unorthodox!) But evena day in Santa Cruz will be well worth it. Cost: Half Moon Bay— $12 for a camping reservation; Madonna Inn – roomprices vary from $147-330 per night; Santa Cruz – free,except for food and souvenirs.
5. Make her feel like a fancy and proper English woman at Lisa’sTea Treasures in downtown Los Gatos. Enjoy sandwiches the size ofyour pinky while you laugh over the adorable place settingsreminiscent of your childhood tea parties with stuffed bears. Tomake this day extra special, Lisa’s Tea Treasures is preparing aunique menu that includes mimosas, a strawberry almond salad, fruittarts, a chicken or veggie entrée, honey almond scones and more.Call 408-395-8327 now for reservations. Cost: $24.95 perperson.
4. Spend the day ice-skating at the Ice Chalet Inc. on Wolfe Road.Though not necessary, you could buy her a scarf and give it to herbeforehand. Then, while her confusion on being given a scarf in themiddle of summer peaks, surprise her with the trip to the rink.Call 408-446-2906 for information. Cost: $10 per person.
3. Who says you even need to go anywhere? Transform your own houseinto a day spa and call it <Insert your name>’s Pamper House.Treat your mom to a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, breakfastin bed and whatever else you can think of to spoil her. (Learn howto give a facial on At-Home Facial Massage)
Just don’t let her do any house or office work and don’t let herworry about a thing. As a bonus, clean your entire house before shewakes up. Cost: Free!
2. Get creative, messy and 10 years younger at Petroglyphs, whereyou can hand paint a ceramic sculpture of your choice. You canpaint anything from cookie jars to frogs to dishes, and the bestpart is that you get to keep your masterpiece when you’re done!That and the fact that all mothers paint for free that day!Petroglyphs is located in downtown Los Gatos and in Valley FairMall. Call 408-395-8327 for more info and reservations. Cost: Freefor mothers, but $20+ for each other person, depending on what youwish to paint.
1. Alright people. Here it is: the ultimate Mothers’ Day outing– the outing that will make your mother be the envy of allothers. You ready? Set up a picnic in a nearby park, complete withher favorite foods, a basket, a pretty tablecloth or blanket, herfavorite music playing on a portable boom box and picked flowerslaid out on the grass reading, “Happy Mother’s Day” or “I love you,mom.” Then, tell a friend or sibling to watch over it while youpick up your unsuspecting mom and take her to the spectacle thatwill make her so happy, she will probably cry. Cost: Only the costof food.
In the end, it doesn’t matter what you do. All that she reallycares about is seeing how much you care about and appreciate her.And if you’re genuine, Sunday will be the best day of her year.
