MAKE SOME MOTHER'S DAY MEMORIES

Mother's Day is almost here and we've been deluged with advertising that encourages us to buy lots of things for our moms, like flowers, jewelry, perfume, and candy. While there's nothing wrong with those things, I don't think many of us (or our mothers) require or expect them. My mom is fond of telling us to not buy her anything for Mother's Day. She often says she'd be happy with a visit or phone call. My sisters sometime purchase flowers which they plant in our mother's backyard. Those are gifts that keep on giving. Since I didn't receive the gardening gene, I don't usually buy her things that require tending. Giving thoughtful gifts doesn't have to cost a bundle or be work laden.

I like to gather things I think Mom will use and enjoy and arrange them in a gift basket. I already have some baskets on hand. This year I think I'll give Mom some gourmet peanut butter (White Chocolate Wonderful is delicious!) http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/ I'll add some snack crackers, bake her some cookies, stick in some chewy coconut bars I found at the grocery store, and maybe add a few small jars of jam. She loves jam with her toast in the mornings. I'll include some gourmet hot chocolate and popcorn. I think she'll enjoy her gift. A creative and inexpensive idea for Mother's Day which would also be welcomed for a birthday or Christmas gift is a MEMORY JAR - something unique to each family member who might want to participate in making such a project. You can decorate the jar, add cute labels and/or tags, or leave it plain. What counts is what's inside - a true gift from the heart.

MEMORY JAR

Things You'll Need:

canning jar
ribbon
small circle of fabric
pen or printer
paper
decorative scissors

Step 1 - Wash the canning jar you plan to use and dry completely.

Step 2 - Write out, or type up and print, 365 (or however many you choose) good memories you have of the person who will receive this gift.

Step 3 - Cut out each one with decorative scissors and fold it.

Step 4 - Put each memory in the jar and close the lid.

Step 5 - Cut the fabric into a circle large enough to cover the lid and hang slightly below it.

Step 6 - Tie fabric onto lid with a piece of raffia or a ribbon and attach a gift tag telling the recipient to pull out one memory every day of the year (or every day for a month).

Gifts from the heart never go out of style. Other Mother's Day gifts might include:

- Spending an afternoon going through old family photos
- Packing a simple lunch and finding a park in which to have a picnic
- Writing a poem or story that includes favorite memories
- Composing your own card instead of purchasing one
- Making a scrapbook or CD of family memories
- Calling your mom if you're not able to be with her in person

Mother's Day is an opportunity to honor all the women in our lives - the mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, and aunts. Celebrate the day with some homemade memories.