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| Iconic Moms — Vivian & Claire, via Apartment 349. |
Truly, there's nothing wrong with flowers. But when did oversized bouquets of hydrangeas, lilies and the like become inextricably linked with Mother's Day? Any mom with a Trader Joe's nearby can whip up a nicer display for far less money on any given day. Yet, come the second Sunday of May, she has to smile and be a gracious recipient in order to spare the giver's feelings (because she's a mom and that's what we do).
Excessively expensive floral arrangements, crowded restaurant brunches, handmade kid art...it all comes with the territory. We get it. Most moms are just happy you took the time to do anything for them (though, I suspect cleaning a toilet, or doing your own laundry would earn you way more points than carnations).
Now, I'm not your cookie cutter mom, per se, but allow me to make a few suggestions for a few last minute gifts that might curry favor with your very own Wonder Woman.
For L.A. Moms...
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| Calder and Abstraction, LACMA. |
A LACMA "Individual" membership, $60. — As an L.A. County Museum of Art member, she can see the inspiring Alexander Calder exhibit for free (it's normally $20), before it closes on July 27. She'll also enjoy priority ticketing privileges for the upcoming "Van Gogh to Kandinsky" exhibit. [Bonus idea: Make plans to meet her there for coffee at C+M or a drink at the Stark Bar, or set a date to catch one of the museum's evening concerts. ]
A gift certificate for Sew L.A. — This idea works for a couple of different "mom types." There's the restless newly retired mom, to whom you can't just outright say, "God, get a hobby!" You've also got the mom who's always game to try learning a new skill. Or, maybe you're shopping for a mom who's not "crafty," but has caved into Pinterest peer pressure and really wants to try to be. There's even the mom-to-be who's hardcore nesting and would love nothing more than to sew her own baby blankets, or nursery decorations. Gift certificates for this cute Atwater Village shop are good for patterns, their well-curated assortment of fabrics (the Japanese stuff is amazing!), and even in-store classes. I took a tote bag-making class there once and, let me tell you, they can teach anyone.
Lunch or Dinner at A-Frame. — Skip brunch altogether. Hire a sitter, if you need to and hit up this Culver City spot. This was my Mother's Day treat last year and the food was great, the music was spot-on and there were giant bowls of spiked punch in honor of moms. Giant. Bowls. Of. Spiked. Punch. The party next to us generously shared their abundance with the other dining moms, instructing their little kids to walk around and serve us. Sooo much better than queueing up for overpriced Belgian waffles and weak mimosas! [Bonus idea: The location is a little random, but you can make a day of it by cruising the (relatively) nearby Helms Bakery District, or do some window shopping on Venice's Abbot Kinney Blvd.]
For Bookworms...
Music-loving mothers might love diving into Mavis Staples' bio, "I'll Take You There" (here's a review). [Bonus idea: Give her the gift of music, too; use Spotify to help you make the perfect soul music mix.] Actress Judy Greer just released her memoir, "I Don't Know Where You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star," which is just begging to be thrown into your mom's tote and taken on her next trip. And if your mom prefers fiction, patron saint of moms everywhere, Oprah, gave Helen Oyeyemi's "Boy, Snow, Bird" her official seal of approval, so that right there's a no-brainer.
Moms For Whom "Mom Jeans" Are Non-Starters...
Oversized Hepcat Shades, Madewell, $55. — These shades would be super cute for some young hipster mom. They'd easily work just as well for one of those amazingly stylish grande dames Bill Cunningham shoots for the NYT Sunday Styles section.
Akumal Kimono Scarf, Anthropologie, $68. — So, your mom likes the figure-forgiving flowy-ness of Chico's, but you know there's no way in the world you're going to set foot into that store. Well, I got you. She will light up any poolside, "Golden Girls"-style lanai, or girlfriend gathering in this shawl, which is more "boho" than "cat lady."
Raw Diamond Ring, Poketo, $18 each. — If you're buying for a mother who looks more like a style blogger than a sippy cup schlepper, box up a few of these dainty rings so she can stack them. They're minimalist, chic and not so precious that she won't be able to wear them while tending to the indelicate tasks of everyday motherhood.
For Practical Moms...
Woven Bike Basket, Anthropologie, $68. — Cute, right? Can't you just see her riding to the farmer's market, or the beach, beaming with "I care more about the environment/my health than you do" smugness? (Mom's are so good at being smug. We're the best at it, in fact.) She's got her water bottle, her organic so-and-so's and her copy of O Magazine (see above) tucked into her snazzy new basket. She's also got a few bunches of flowers she plans to make into a centerpiece later (see above). [Bonus idea: Include a map of great locales you think she should bike to in her town. They could be places that have sentimental value, or just cool spots where she can explore something new.]
15 Minute Glass Timer, OK, $32.50. — There are only so many deep breaths she can take. Give your dear, dear Drill Sergeant a much-needed break with the help of this gratuitously nice timer. It gives kids a visual reminder that they literally "don't have all day" to do whatever menial task they've been assigned. It's a lovely home accent that can help mom lay down the law in style. (If she has a bit more patience than, say, me, there's also a 30-minute version.)
Glass Shadow Box, West Elm, SALE, $55. — Okay. This trinket-holder isn't actually practical at all. But it looks nice! And if your mom didn't have a soft spot for pretty stuff that masquerades itself as practical, she wouldn't be going to The Container Store all the time. [Bonus idea: Throw a bracelet, or some nice stationery in this bad boy, wrap it all up and she'll be thrilled.]
Is this all not-so-secretly just a list of things I'd like to receive for Mother's Day? Don't you worry about that. Just apply it to your life and know that I did my best to help you out. So magnanimous, right? Isn't that just like a Mother?
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