Mother's Day the Seattle Way

If your mom is anything like mine, she deserves more than a day to celebrate the huge task of taking me from a bratty and dependent child to a slightly less bratty and independent woman. 

I don't need to tell you to be nice to your mom 365 days a year. 

Sunday, May 11, however, is the official Mother's Day, the day to call your mom, visit her if you live nearby, and buy her a card or gift to show your thanks for causing worry lines and a much smaller bank account. 

You can do the usual and buy her some flowers or take her to dinner, but I encourage you to be a little more creative this year.  After all, we have some fabulous woman-owned businesses in this area who sell products and services your mom will love.

These are the businesses I know and like, and I'm sure you have many others you could add to the mix. 

Gifts:

• The Blessing Project makes gorgeous handmade cards and shadow boxes of blessings.  They are absolutely beautiful and are a combined effort of indigenous women's cooperatives around the globe and North American crafters.  I have one myself, and this year my mom will be getting one (I hope she isn't reading this).
• Affirmagy is one of my favorite companies headed by one of my favorite women.  Kristen Marie Schuerlein develops products that reflect her passion for gratitude and giving back, and her limited-edition fleece blankets with affirmative quotes are beautiful, cozy, and very high quality.  I have given these as gifts and have one myself (Joy).  Besides being a great gift, it is a wonderful company to associate yourself with.
• ZookHooks sells cute and whimsical purse hangers, making a stylish solution to a practical need.  Your mom's purse will never have to sit on the dirty floor or dangle off the back of a chair at a restaurant again.  The hook hangs it safely out of the way from the table, and the hook folds up neatly to go in her purse.  I bought one for my mother-in-law last year and she uses it to hang her purse from her desk at work to free up drawer space. 
  

Experiences:

• Your mom has made you thousands of meals in your lifetime.  Reward her by making this task a little bit easier.  Karen Rosenzweig,  The Incredible Chef, will come to your mom's home and cook her a month's worth of meals and package them for the freezer.  All your mom has to do is take them out and reheat them for a delicious meal with almost no effort.  Karen will cater to any food preference, allergy or medical condition, and she brings all her own equipment.  She'll even clean out your pantry or freezer! What a wonderful treat for your mom as a one-time gift or a year-long subscription.
• Does your mom still have the ornaments and craft projects you made in school?  Is she storing things for you?  Give her a little help by giving a gift certificate from  Simply Placed to organize her closets, garage, or entire home.  Debbie and Lacey have tons of experience with this for both business and residential clients, and I love working with them.
• Holiday Golightly specializes in Girlfriend Getaways, and if your mom likes traveling with you or with friends she will love this service.  Give her a gift certificate to plan her own trip, or find the perfect one for the two of you and book it. 
  

Whatever you choose to do to honor your mom, think about supporting a local business in doing so.