Be Better Guys

Mother’s Day should be a lay-up of a gift-buying holiday. Your mom is appreciative of most anything you get her – yes, she even likes the ceramic kitty cookie jar you gave her–and your wife/significant other/girlfriend will more than likely drop hints on what to get, or return the gift for something she likes. And yet, each year guys are stuck wondering what to buy for Mother’s Day. I mean, my mother is 70 years old and short of a vacation home  to take the grand kids to and a chauffeur (she’s not a good driver), there’s not much I can buy that she needs. So I wind up copping out and getting a spa treatment at a place like Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and flowers. As for my wife, I’ll keep that a secret until the date, but as of right now, the only thing ruled out for sure is the Whitman’s Sampler.

Well, Be Better Guys thinks the mothers in your life deserve better than that and we talked to 5 social media-minding, blog-happy moms about what they want for Mother’s Day. We figured these Web 2.0-savvy women would be on the cutting edge of what moms are looking for this year. Since gifts fall into two categories–things and experiences–we’ll address them in kind.

First, the “things.”

The list by @daNanner seems like a reasonable one, with an out for the budget-minded. “Being a geekgirl and a photo enthusiast, there are a few things I really want – lenses for my Nikon d80, specifically this one. A nice dinner made by my kids and significant other and a new laptop. I’ll settle for dinner and no fights from the kids though.” Note to guys: might be hard to guarantee the last part of this, so plan on getting the lens.

Another plugged-in Mom, @Stigay, took the route that so many do: buy what you want for yourself.  “I got myself a pink patent leather Coach tote. I buy my presents to ensure I get what I want.  You can’t go wrong w/designer bag.” Fellas, while you know that your woman probably does this, try to beat her to the punch just once. Listen to her, ask your kids or her friends, but don’t force her to buy it for you.

For those Moms who chose the “experience” gift over the “thing” gift, the sentiment  was rather telling.

This one pretty much summed it up. Our shining example was @mommyisdating, “To sleep in, be served coffee upon waking, enjoy a day of sunshine without any fighting between the rug rats, a glass of wine at sundown.” For most any parent, this is called a dream.

@shidara has a slight variation. She “would like to have brunch w/ the family, then have someone take the girls while I have a spa day, because #mamaneedsabreak.” Some family time, which I think most Moms want on Mother’s Day, with some “me” time, which all Moms need. This is doable, but let the spa part be a surprise after the brunch.

The last one was, shall we say, a bit more explicit. @1Tru_Kitty preferred some specific, personal attention from her significant other that we shall not get into. But, beyond that “Anything, except for flowers. Flowers are nice, but they die! LOL” OK, we hear you, no flowers for a hot momma. But spending some personal time with her, giving her what she wants and needs, will bring a smile to her face and trump most gifts. If not, there’s always jewelry.

Our Guest Moms provided us with some guidance–from practical to romantic, intimate to restful. Most want some downtime. So, if it’s your sweetie, plan a quick day trip out of town. There’s most likely a bed and breakfast within 2 hours of you. Tell her in the morning to put a couple of things in a bag, scoop her up after work and you can be there in time for a late, romantic dinner. Do it on a week day and save a buck or two, and give the kids a special treat with sleepover with friends or the Grands. It’s a quick way to recharge the batteries and spice up the mood.

Surprisingly, only a couple of the women polled wanted a specific item or thing. More were interested in experiences that they could share or indulge in solo. As our Moms acknowledged also, a bit of family time is nice, too. So, send your mom flowers, and plan on dropping by her house and hanging around. I’m sure that a nice bag or bauble wouldn’t hurt either. Don’t forget about the spa package. This advice, while safe, never fails.

Be Better Guys wishes all the mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day and special thanks to the Moms who helped us out.