To be honest, Mother’s Day has always been a bit of an annoying ‘holiday’ to me. Like, your mom knows you love her and you probably even spoil her every now and again anyway, right? Why must there be a specific day to honour mothers? Valentine’s Day is different because it includes me getting spoiled too! I sound like a real little brat, but actually, I am currently ten weeks pregnant with my first child and wow what a journey it has been so far. It is still early days, but I’ve had to sacrifice quite a lot already. I never understood what being a mother is like but now that I’m pregnant I have so much more respect and gratitude for my mom and everything she has done for me. Mothers certainly deserve to be spoiled, treated, honoured and celebrated. Not just on Mother’s Day but every day. Since Mother’s Day is approaching and our whole world has been turned upside down by lockdown, I was thinking of a couple of ways how Mother’s Day could be celebrated with or without your mom close by.
If you are away from your mom
Write a hand-written letter
If you can’t be with your mom on Mother’s Day, you can still make her feel extremely special with words. You can write a hand-written letter to tell her how much you love her, miss her, memories you have with her, what she means to you and what she has taught you in life that you are grateful for. I wanted to write a hand-written letter, and have it posted because my mother lives in a different province than I do, but unfortunately due to the lockdown, no post will be delivered. So, I’m still going to write a letter but then I’m going to scan and email it or send picture of it.
Make a video
In today’s world, we have technology to our advantage where making a video can give even more depth to a message when she can see your facial expressions. To hear your voice and see you while you tell her how much she means to you, can help her feel more connected to you. You also able to edit it. The best part is thanks to technology, she can keep it forever.
Social media recognition
According to the book by Gary Chapman, we all have different love languages. There are 5: words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, receiving gifts and quality time. You can have a combination, but you will have a predominant one. Mine is quality time (and my second one is gifts). I need to spend quality time with you to be able to feel loved. Just a quick connection isn’t always enough for me. So, for some people words of affirmation speaks to their heart and they might like it to be public while others might prefer for it to be in private. If you know your mom appreciates a public post on Facebook or Instagram, saying how much you love her and what she means to you with a photo could be a great gift.
Video call her
Arrange a Zoom, WhatsApp or Facetime video call with her to speak to her directly. Mothers always want to see their loved ones’ faces, and with today’s technology it is so easy.
Arrange a delivery of something special
Send her some treats or food via Netflorist, Woolworths, Yuppiechef, Fresch Online, Pick ’n Pay or one of the many other stores that provide this service. My grandparents live in a small apartment in a retirement home, and they can still sustain themselves, but during lockdown they haven’t been allowed to even walk around in the garden or have tea in the cafeteria. They have literally been locked in their little flat.
So, I decided to cheer them up a little and arranged a small delivery from Netflorist with some biltong, droëwors and Lindt chocolate. It cost R318 (delivery included) and I could even pay for it with my eBucks. But, the amount of joy and appreciation I heard in their voices when they called me to say thank you was priceless. I don’t think we always realise how such a small gesture can light up someone’s life, not just day. Isn’t that the true reason behind love?
If you can see your mom
Plant something to celebrate life
If you have green fingers and have the items needed available, plant a seed (herb, flower or vegetable) in an old pot. You can of course creatively paint or decorate the pot so that it looks beautiful (even if it’s old) and give her something that is technically ‘handmade’. This will be something she can nurture and watch grow while being reminded of your love for her every day.
Make her something she likes
You can cook her favourite meal, treat or dessert. Sometimes we crave something, and mom makes it best, so perhaps make something she likes (even if it isn’t the ‘best’ in the world). I know my mom loves lemon meringue pie, so she is always so happy when I make it, because she can’t. I’ve taught myself to make it and now I get it right almost every time. Practise makes perfect
Make the table setting special
Set up the table beautifully, even you just use pretty serviettes to add a little extra touch. You can also pick some flowers from the garden if you have any. It just says that you are doing the best you can to make it special for her.
Glass and glam things up
As Nataniël (South African singer and performer) always says, “Even if you just have water to drink or you can only make your own soft drink, you put it in a nice glass. You never know what will happen tomorrow”. This is something my mother and I always live by. Life is too short to be ordinary all the time. Jazz things up a bit without it having it cost you a lot of money. Dust those pretty glasses in the back of the cupboard off, even if none of them match!
Give her the day off from responsibilities
A mother’s work around the house absolutely never stops. There are always things to clean, pack away, meals to prepare and simply being there for everyone that needs her for everything. On Mother’s Day, allow your mom not to do anything. Let her enjoy being served and release her of any responsibility for the day. Even if she tries to ‘help’, don’t allow her. Graciously lead her back to where she can relax. Because we as women always have to tend to everything it can be hard to sit back and relax, but at least for one day, allow her to have no responsibilities.
Have a picnic
If you have a garden or area for a picnic, keep things simple and enjoy the outdoors together. A picnic doesn’t have to be fancy, but just the company, some food favourites and the outdoors (or at least a different setting) can be good for the soul.
Treat her with a bath
Run a hot bath with some bubble bath, bath oil or fizzy bombs for her. My mom absolutely loves a hot, relaxing bath. Maybe light some candles as well and let her relax and just be. It is quite special when someone runs a bath for you.
Finally…
One thing to remember is that it is the thought that counts. During, and possibly even after lockdown, most of us probably feel anxious, confused and out of place. So, celebrate Mother’s Day the best way you can, because you don’t know what will happen in the future. Doing something special for you mother, who has given up so much for you, is always worth it.
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