Mother’s Day Mash-Up

So, as Mother’s Day is fast approaching, what I want as a gift has been a hot topic at our house. Rather than throw out suggestions aimlessly which, by the way, I’ve never had to do because my peeps are pretty darn good at this whole Mother’s Day gifting gig, I decided to turn these discussions into a game with my little. 🙂 Hence, the beginning of what we now refer to as the “Mother’s Day Mash-Up.”

How does this work? Well, Avery, my 13 year daughter, and I both made a list of items we think that I, and other moms, might like to receive as a gift on their special day.  If we happened to have the same item(s) on our list, then clearly those were solid contenders. We had such a good time making and comparing our lists. And, let’s just say, that it took Avery far less time than it did me to come up with possibilities. I must also add that she is quite in tune with her own mom’s wants and/or needs! 😉

So, here’s how we did overall….

Avery knows that I love designer goods. And, while I enjoy nothing more than finding an amazing deal and shop safely when it comes to most clothes, I do splurge on certain designer pieces, belts being one of them. The belt shown here was Avery’s favorite on a recent shopping trip we took together. I adore this belt and it would make a great addition to any mother’s wardrobe. Avery said she chose this smaller purse for me because I have several larger ones already. She also chose this wallet because she hears me say all the time that I need a new one. (It’s true! My wallet was purchased when Roman numerals were being used for dates and it’s really starting to show.) I am totally on board with anyone spending their money on designer pieces, as they hold up extremely well and, more importantly, hold their value even better. So splurge – but take care of your piece. If you care for it properly, it could be around longer than you are!! 🙂 Avery’s pick for perfume is my ALL TIME FAVORITE scent! I purchased this fragrance on a gut instinct a couple of years ago, having only read the description online, and am so glad I did. I have to force myself not to reach for it daily. It, too, is a bit pricey but so yummy! And, this is a special day so don’t be shy – ask for it!!!

You can see that the other 3 items featured in Avery’s Picks are full of sentiment. The interlocking circles of the mother/daughter necklace have so much meaning and the precious message on the card hits you right in the feels. Next, we all know parents love to show off their kiddos, so what better way to do so than on your phone case? This gift will put a smile on your face every time you grab for your phone! And there will be no more confusing your electronic leash with someone else’s when it’s sporting this case! Lastly, Avery chose a personalized blanket as a gift because we have a slight blanket obsession in our home. (“Never leave Home Goods without one” is our motto!) Since I can get a blanket with her picture on it, I no longer have to ask her to come cuddle with me (only to be denied). Now I can cuddle with her anytime I want without permission. Take that – jokes on you, kid! I know this isn’t why she chose a blanket for me, but it works!

Regarding my list, I chose pajamas and slippers because what momma doesn’t want to relax on Mother’s Day??? I really liked either set shown here, but have linked my absolute favorite jammies right to my Shop for Mom section of this post. If you’re a mom that enjoys books or just decorating with them, then any of the three shown here would be the perfect gift for you. Coffee table books are not only a beautiful accent to any room, but they are typically something that most people would not buy for themselves. That’s why they make great gifts. And what’s more “southern” than Reese Witherspoon and Southern Living?? The LV book is, well…, just Louis Vuitton and you can never have too much LV. I mean, do people who dislike LV even exist?? That said, I did go with a more reasonably priced clutch that is as eye-catching as it is practical. You can fit far more than your phone and lipstick in this beauty.

I couldn’t help but swoon over this pink Michelle watch. I know you can’t text or call from it, and it won’t tell you to stand up or breathe, but if you can manage to live without those notifications, this would be a great option. And, while it does come in a beautiful white and gold version, I was a little partial to the pink (because I clearly hate that color 😉 ). I, like Avery, also included perfume and necklaces in my picks. The featured perfume is the newest addition to the Bond No. 9 line and it smells amazing. It was hard to walk away from the counter without this one! These sweet necklaces are also a solid gift choice. Not only are they versatile, but they also bear the title I am most proud to have. So why not tell the world? My last gift pick was the cutest travel jewelry case. In fact, it’s so cute it could double as a clutch in a pinch.

What isn’t pictured on either list but which Avery and I both agreed on, is that any mother would love to receive a gift certificate for a professional photography session for pictures of her and her littles (or not so littles, as the case may be). As mother’s we are behind the cameras much more than we are in front of them, so this gift gives us the chance to capture moments with our kids that we would otherwise miss. This truly is a gift that will keep on giving! Avery and I had the opportunity to do just this a few weeks ago with a sweet photographer friend from my hometown, Destiny Perkins. We absolutely LOVED every minute of the shoot, not to mention the amazing photographs we have to memorialize that wonderful time. (I’ve included a few of my favorites for you all to check out. 🙂 ) ***Please go find and follow Destiny on Instagram at @destinyperkinsphotography.  She is so talented!!*** 

In sum, Avery’s list was a bit on the high-end for a 13 year old . . . BUT, generally speaking, her suggestions were spot on! Not too shabby if I do say so myself. I, on the other hand, tried to keep mine as practical as possible. However, what we both agreed on is that the gifts needed to mean something to the recipients. And, while I do love a good designer handbag, perfume or belt, the gifts that mean the most to me are those that come straight from the heart of my girl. She has KILLED her gift giving game in the past! Way to go, A!! 

While Avery has definitely given me monetary gifts that are heart-felt (Oh how I love my sweet initial/mom necklace she got me years ago), the one that brought the most tears to my eyes was simply a video she made for me last Mother’s Day on that silly TicToc app. The music and message had me squalling!! I tell you this to say, that she did included a few of those heart-felt gifts on her list – i.e. the blanket, phone case and necklace, so she knows the type of gifts I, and most mother’s, truly treasure. I absolutely LOVE where her heart is. (I just hope it’s still in this place 3 years from now when she’s 16 and would rather gift me a roll of duct tape to be used on the sidelines of her soccer games, or to strap me to a chair so I don’t show up and embarrass her at a school dance. God, please let her still love me then!!!) [On a side note, I truly believe that embarrassment is a fantastic form of punishment, but that’s a whole different post.] 

Lastly, if you are unable to get your mom the gift of her dreams or if you simply cannot celebrate Mother’s Day with your mom, along those heart-felt lines, are these amazing online invitations and cards from Paperless Post.  After looking through the content on their website and seeing all they have to offer, I’m confident that your mom would love to receive one of their many cards (message customized by you, of course).  In fact, after perusing all of their products, I was ready to create an invitation to a Netflix marathon and send it to myself just to have one in my inbox! 

So there you have it folks – my and Avery’s Mother’s Day Mash-Up. I hope we’ve given you at least a few gift options that you can pass along to your gifters so that you receive exactly what you want this Mother’s Day. And if you didn’t, send them my way next year . . . I’m always here to help a girl out!!

XOXO – Bridget