Mother's Day Consumable Gift Ideas

Rose is a full-time freelance writer who frequently writes about education, special education, DIY projects, food, Milwaukee, and more.

This year for Mother's Day, think about giving Mom a consumable gift. Whether your mom lives in a smaller place or she simply doesn't need any more stuff, a gift that you use up often doesn't take up much space. Even if it does, it won't be around very long anyway. With ideas ranging from museum memberships to food to gift cards to bath products, there is something here that will fit the bill.

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Food

Making Mom a homemade meal can be a great gift in and of itself. You can make breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Think about the foods and experience that that your mom would like the most.

There is nothing wrong with choosing a classic food gift, such as a box of chocolates or batch of homemade brownies or chocolate chip cookies. However, don't be afraid to think outside of the box, too. For example, if your mom loves to cook from scratch, purchase some spices from a local spice shop.

Monthly clubs or subscription services are also a fun option for both food and drink gifts. You can find everything from organic snacks to high-end artisan sweets to hot sauces. If local farm boxes are available in your area, they can make a great food gift.

Drinks

Pick up a bottle of Mom's favorite wine or a six pack of one of the local brews that the whole family enjoys. Coffee beans, tea bags / loose tea, and drink mixes (i.e. Chai tea, hot chocolate), are also great choices.

Don't forget to check out drink-of-the-month subscriptions, too. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, beer, and wine are all popular and widely available. You may be able to find other options as well.

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Museum or Zoo Membership or Pass

A museum membership or pass is a gift that your mom will be able to enjoy all year round. Think about a museum that she'd love but hasn't been to very often or simply renew an existing membership. Consider art museums, history museums, and zoos as well as specialty museums, such as the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Conservatory or botanical garden memberships can also be great options.

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Concert, Movie, or Sports Team Tickets

Tickets are a great gift for Mom to use with a significant other, kids, and/or friends. Keep it simple and pick up movie passes for a local theater and go all out and buy great seats for a musical that is coming into town later in the year. If you're not sure when Mom will be able to use the tickets, passes or flex tickets are a great option. For example, a number of symphony orchestras offer small packages of flex tickets that you can exchange for the tickets of your choosing throughout the season.

Spa Gift Certificate

Mother's Day should be about Mom getting to relax and do something for herself, which makes a spa gift certificate a perfect choice. Let Mom enjoy a facial or pedicure by herself for a few minutes of alone time or plan a fun mother-daughter spa day complete with lunch and shopping.

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Bath / Beauty Products

On a similar note, sometimes it can be more relaxing to have the spa experience in the comfort of your own home. Pick up one of Mom's favorite beauty products, spring on an expensive perfume that she normally wouldn't purchase for herself, or make your own bath or beauty product gift. Sugar scrubs, soaps, bath melts / bombs, and lip balms are all popular DIY beauty items. Free video and photo tutorials are readily available online.

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Retail / Restaurant Gift Card

A retail or restaurant gift card or certificate is another great way to treat your mom to an indulgence that she wouldn't normally take for herself. Plan a day around it to spend some quality time together or let her get out by herself or with some friends for a bit. Keep it simple with a chain store or restaurant card that you can pick up at the grocery store or pick up something from a local boutique or cafe.

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Craft Supplies

If you've been reading my articles for any length of time, I'm sure that it doesn't surprise you to find this suggestion on the list. While not all moms are crafty, many are, and they love getting new supplies that they can use. (For example, it's perfectly normal to be excited about getting a stash of new glitter for Valentine's Day.) Grab a coupon for Michael's or Jo-Ann and save 40-50% on a regular priced item, or check out the dollar section at Target for a little scrapbook pack or holiday themed set.

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Donation

One of the simplest and most touching gifts that you can give your mom is a donation to one of her favorite organizations. Think about donating to her church, an alma mater, or one of her favorite local, national, or global charities. Many organizations are happy to send a receipt that you can include in a card to share the donation with the recipient.

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Are you looking for more Mother's Day celebration ideas? Check this out!

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• Things to Do in Milwaukee for Mother's Day: Brunch Specials and More
  Are you planning a special family Mother's Day brunch this year? Milwaukee has tons of restaurant specials as well as other promotions throughout the city, such as free museum admissions.

© 2014 Rose Clearfield

Comments

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 10, 2014:

Thanks, Deb! That sounds perfect for Mother's Day. :)

Deborah Neyens from Iowa on March 10, 2014:

Great ideas. I always make brunch for my mom and then give her a potted plant for her patio. Maybe I will try something new this year!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 10, 2014:

Vicki, it's so great to hear that! I feel weird asking for little things like books that I can just buy for myself, and I can't ask family to buy the big things that I want like camera lenses. So consumables end up being a great option. I would rather have something that Jake and I can do together than something that I don't really need but have to find space for in the house.

Thanks, MsDora! It's great to get that confirmation about these ideas.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on March 10, 2014:

Consumables seem like the best way to go for mother. No wondering whether she will appreciate the gift. Thank you for sharing these creative ideas.

Victoria Lynn from Arkansas, USA on March 09, 2014:

Oh, wow, Rose, this is exactly what my family and I have been doing for gifts a lot the past few years! Consumables! We used to pick out gifts more often, but, as we get older, we usually have what we want and really want to cut down on "things." Things we can eat, drink (wine!) or use for our crafts or hobbies are perfect for our families. Last year at Christmas, we even decided to look through our houses to see what people would like and "repurpose" our gifts. I like practical. This is a wonderful hub with great ideas for gifts for mothers!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 09, 2014:

FlourishAnyway, thanks! I try. :)

FlourishAnyway from USA on March 09, 2014:

Very nice list of options, and you are such a forward thinker with Mother's Day being weeks away.