JA

Unique Mother's Day Gift Ideas

May 6, 2014

JF
Stage· 134 messages
May 6, 2014

Forget flowers and chocolate, today's Mom deserves so much more on her special day! Join Woodsy Wino owner and mother of two, Jennifer Finnell along with Daughter of the Year, Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle for some insight on what Mom really wants this Mother's Day!

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:32 PM

Hello, boys and girls! Can I assume we're all here because we know dang well that our mom's are tired of the same ol' flowers & brunches & framed handprints & such?
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:33 PM

I believe that to be the truth. Mother's Day typical gifts must be growing tired.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:34 PM

You're a mother yourself, Jenn...what would you like to receive? What does Mom want?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:34 PM

I know Mathwhiz must be...where would you even hang all those handprints, anyway? She's got 5 little ones, y'all - the Mathwig's are there own little parade everywhere they go! :)
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:35 PM

You're a good boy, Sean. I expect that when my gals are old enough to buy wine, that their search for the perfect Mother's Day gift will become exponentially simpler.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:35 PM

One can take mom to a Mother's Day Brunch, blah!
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:35 PM

Or buy the typical Mother's Day jewelry...boring
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:35 PM

While I'm sure there are plenty of moms out there that appreciate a nice Mother's Day brunch, I, too, say "blah!"
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:35 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“well with my newfound love of the grape, I sent my mother 6 bottles of wine”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:36 PM

Or...one can listen and learn what Mom's really want...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:36 PM

On the other hand, a mom that says, "oh, no...I don't need any gifts. Your love is enough." is totally setting you up! lol
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:36 PM

Um, Karen...could you be any more elusive? What do you REALLY want for Mother's Day this year?
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:37 PM

So Whiz...you've got an amazing family
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:37 PM

That house must be overflowing with love...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:37 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“I actually dont mind the plain old mother day gifts, because I don't really recieve them. I get what I ask for usually, lol. And the same ol stuff is not what I usually ask for.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:38 PM

I asked my family for a day, altogether, working in the yard/gardens. Don't buy me flowers for Mother's Day - help me plant them1
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:38 PM

Tattoos for Mother's Day - classic!
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:38 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“As far as the handprints go, I am glad I only get them from school projects that the kids bring home that they make for Mother's Day in art class. and right now that is only one kid, lol. so im good there.”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:38 PM

That's a great idea Jenn. Family activity for some families probably works.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:39 PM

hey, Sean - we're moms. Not mannequins. Still wild and crazy women, just now with offspring.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:39 PM

The next thing you know, Grandma will be getting her belly button pierced
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:39 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“I asked for my tattoos that I want and a back yard swing, lol.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:39 PM

Well, not to wax to sappy, but in my mind, Mother's Day was the day that these beautiful little gals made me a mom.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:40 PM

Well, that's just sweet, Whiz.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:40 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“tattoo's for mothers day, that's a new one”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:40 PM

I like those - with the birthstones of the kiddos, right. Great Mother's Day jewelry.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:40 PM

No belly button what? lol
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:41 PM

We gave my mom a Mother's Ring a few years ago. Not a great gift, she had it made into a diff ring.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:41 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Instead of a mothers ring which is something I do want someday. I have a tat already of my oldest now I have to get four more signifying my other four”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:41 PM

Alright, then - assuming you're not an unassuming mom...what do you get your mom for Mother's Day that's not totally overdone, generic, thoughtless, really...?
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:41 PM

How about a day of pampering? Do Moms want that?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:41 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“I did the flower planting thing”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:41 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Last weekend with the kids”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:42 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“No belly button”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:42 PM

Clean the house?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:42 PM

Can't say that I'd turn down a day of Mom pampering!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:42 PM

Oh, hell yes!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:42 PM

"Chore" coupons. lol
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:42 PM

That's clever too!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:42 PM

But...as an adult child...how do you show mom that she's the bees knees?
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:43 PM

Coupons are perfect for the kids on a budget...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:43 PM

I think it starts with really thinking about who your mom is - outside of just being a mom, I mean. What does she like to do? What is she passionate about? A Mother's Day gift that reflects your mom as a PERSON is priceless...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:44 PM

That can make things difficult Sean...distance.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:44 PM

It says you notice her on a human level. Mom's are people too! lol
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:44 PM

Sometimes just time is a great gift...especially when there is age and distance.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:44 PM

Then, Sean, you should think about some kind of cool photo collage with the grand-kiddos...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:45 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“well my mom's a little older and we're 8 hours away, what she likes most is me bringing her grandchildren to her”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:45 PM

Sit and watch a movie together...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:46 PM

My mother loves a good game night...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:46 PM

Yes, Karen. But don't you think that Mother's Day gifts have become extremely commercialized - like Valentine's Day? Flowers, flowers, flowers. That's probably just because it's springtime. Brilliant marketing on the part of the florists...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:47 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Family time love it”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:47 PM

@ Sean, I meant. lol
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:47 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“good for you Sean”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:47 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“isn't that really the true art of gift giving, not just spending money but capturing the recievers interest in something”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:47 PM

Flowers are for the non-creative and procrastinators
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:48 PM

It's the same with any gift-giving occasion. I think we (generally) get into this mind-set where we just find a gift to have a gift to give, without putting too much thought into it.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:48 PM

Lol, JD. Totally!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:48 PM

Oh, crap! It's Mother's Day! Better hop online & spend way too much on a thoughtless gift with a generic card from flowers.com! No thank you.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:49 PM

I'd rather have a crayon drawing of a flower from my gals. lol
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:49 PM

My mother just gave me a collection of poems written by HER mother...there has to be a gift hidden in there somewhere
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:49 PM

One up her, Sean - put those pictures on a coffee mug!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:49 PM

OMG, JD - that is a priceless family heirloom!
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:50 PM

Every Kiss begins with HEY!!! Where's my money?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:50 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Yes the whole flowers, chocolates, jewelry bit is completely over commercialized for mothers day and valentines”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:50 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“funny you said that about the collage, that is what the ex is getting, photos of the kids, sans mous”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:51 PM

It totally does, Karen. On a side note, I do love that commercial where the little boy walks into the store to buy Mother's Day jewelry with just a couple bucks & some change, & his dad is standing behind him & flashes the credit card to the sales
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:51 PM

You are correct Sean...remember our Mother's are equally older...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:51 PM

lady
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:51 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Everywhere you look there something out there telling you that if you don't buy this piece of jewelry, your mother won't like you anymore or something like that. I personally think it makes some people feel obligated to have to buy this expensive stu”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:51 PM

Yea, Whiz...I think that might be for next year!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:51 PM

right? Why would you buy us something expensive when, when it comes down to it, we are paying for it anyway? lol
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:52 PM

As kids that's true Jenn
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:52 PM

But not as adults...we hope!
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:52 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“I think as we get older, the concept of it's the thought that counts really does start to sink in.”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:53 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Agree with jenn, those poems could be an awesome project, I love poetry.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:53 PM

You know, my dad - Big Tex - used to bring me fresh flowers for Mother's Day waaaaayyyyyy before I had kids (he never got to meet them). I said that was weird. He said it was because I was gonna be a great mom someday. :)
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:53 PM

So, I'm hearing that Mother's today would rather get that handprint or a thoughtful card for Mother's Day than the colloquial flowers and chocolate?
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:54 PM

That's a sweet story Jenn...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:54 PM

good thing you're an accountant...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:54 PM

Flowers & chocolates are commercial representations of what Mother's Day is all about. I, personally, prefer the planting of the flowers in place of the purchase of Mother's Day flowers because...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:55 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Ugh the Kay commercials”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:55 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“That one is pretty cute”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:55 PM

I think the effort and willful intent to spend the day with me, doing something that I love to do, is a more honest expression of appreciation.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:55 PM

For kids, the cool presents for mom are the most simple and from the heart...hand made gifts even
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:56 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Issue of trying to find two things that also differientiate mothers and birthday, my spelling needs help today”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:56 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Yea self made project or a card, all I need. No flowers or chocolate.”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:56 PM

again, good thing you're an accountant
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:56 PM

And to create something beautiful together that will live on...that is a more accurate representation of what being a mom is really all about...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:57 PM

a tear wells
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:58 PM

Not that I would turn down some high-end chocolate for Mother's Day. lol. Not that I'd get to eat any of it either. #littlescavengers :)
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:58 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“I agree with jenn, two years ago I got two rose bushes loved them, I say loved because I'm unfortunately am not a gardener and I do believe they are not coming back this year. :(”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:58 PM

lol Whiz...Mother's Day ended up about her !!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 5:58 PM

Gah, Karen! Why isn't that EVERY DAY!?!??? LOL.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:59 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“My daughter told me what Mother's Day is....”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:59 PM

Gift ideas for Mother's Day are really easier to come by than one might think...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:59 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“She said from school, they were told that mothers day is a day that if they are good they get to do something and get something, but they have to be good to their mothers”

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 5:59 PM

It sounds like the key is to know your Mom and make the day be all about her...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:00 PM

Exactly Sean...time seems to be the best gift we can give...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:00 PM

Agreed, Sean. JD - you're right. We just have to look past the commercialism - think about our moms as individuals. I still make stuff for my mom. Granted, my "art projects" are a little more sophisticated now than they were back in grade school
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:00 PM

(for the most part)
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:00 PM

Well, you had it until the "no fighting" thing Karen!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:01 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“For me stuff is unimportant, just want to spend time with the kids.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:01 PM

...but she still loves that stuff the best. Especially because she's also pretty "crafty" and we make stuff together now. She loves that I share the "crafty gene" with her.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:01 PM

Oh the irony...my Mom is calling me!!
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:02 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Doing something with my kids with no fighting or throwing fits would honestly be my optimum Mother's Day gift but that ain't gonna happen so I will make do with just spending time together, lol”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:02 PM

Lol, Karen - no fussin', no fighting...aaaaaand we're back to mom-alone-spa-day. :)
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:02 PM

Awesome, JD - tell her we ALL love her! (JD's mom is awesome!)
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:02 PM

So is mine, btw. :)
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:03 PM

Okay so bottom line...love her, show her that you love her and spend some of our precious time with the woman who gave us life.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:03 PM

Bingo!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:04 PM

Your mom - however perfect or imperfect - is the primary reason you're here. And if she's imperfect, remember, you're probably the reason for that. She never had stretchmarks before you...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:04 PM

Seems like a simple thing...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:04 PM

If she drinks, it's probably because of you...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:04 PM

If she doesn't get around to combing her hair in the morning, it's definitely because of you...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:05 PM

If she didn't quite make it to the top of the corporate (or whatever her ambition was), it's most definitely because of you...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:06 PM

Some of us nearly killed our mother with worry...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:06 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“I struggle with getting my mom things for Mother's Day, but I ask her want she wants and I usually get an answer so that's what she gets.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:06 PM

And I don't mean for all of that to be depressing. Here's the thing - and I say this as a mother - all of those sacrifices are NOTHING in comparison to the joy for which we traded all that stuff.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:07 PM

Honestly, when my kids are 40+, I will still appreciate a framed handprint.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:07 PM

Jenn isn't it things like Chloe's chalk this morning? Isn't it the simple I love you that makes all the difference to a Mother?
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:08 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“well put JBuck !”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:08 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“This year, it's a purple bathroom set of towels. Shrug, at least she is getting what she wanted and something that will sit around and collect dust or die or mold.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:08 PM

Mother's Day gifts should be about mom, herself, as a person. Not about what the commercials tell you you should buy. Personal. What more personal relationship is there???
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:08 PM

YES!!!
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:09 PM

Alright all you Mother Lovers...hhahaha....our time is up....
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:09 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Definitely agree jenn these kids are the light of my life, I would be a lost without them”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:10 PM

Funny thing about kids...we think we take care of them, but the truth is I learn more from my kids every day than I could ever DREAM about teaching them. They made me who I am today. I would say we should trade Mother's Day in for Offspring Day...
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:10 PM

...except they're already pretty spoiled. ;)
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 6:11 PM

So little time to spend....be kind to your Mother...remember those no longer here and honor those who are. Happy Mother's Day to you all!!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:11 PM

I can't afford to think about that day, Sean - not even for a minute.
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:12 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sean Donaghy

“Kids moved out a year ago, and I HATED it, coming back for the summer next week, could not be happier”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:12 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Mathwig

“Best things I get to hear everyday, from my littlest girl, lub u too mommy. Melts my heart everyday.”

JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:12 PM

Tata, all! Word to your mama!
JF

Jennifer Finnell · 6:13 PM

And love...definitely love. :)