Gifts Mom Will Love

Well, it’s that time of the year again for us to show our Mommys how much we love them and appreciate all they’ve done for us. Here are a few gift ideas that aren’t too expensive and that Mom will love on Mother’s Day. (May 10^th for those of you who “forgot”!)

Nothing says “I love you, Mom” like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. 1-800-FLOWERS.com is offering 15% off of flower bouquets through 5/10/09. Just use Promotion Code “PAYPALMP” when you checkout online.

There are tons of Mother’s Day sales going on, so take an afternoon and shop around for the perfect gift. Macy’s is having a Mother’s Day Sale and Event, offering savings on thousands of items. Also, if you shop online and your purchase is over $99 dollars, they will ship it to you for free with Promotion Code “FORMOM.”

There’s no doubt that girls love their sweets…Moms included! David’s Cookies is offering 15% off of online purchases with Promotion Code “MDAY098LS.” You can get Mom a variety of different brownies, cookies, truffles, and gift baskets. She might yell at you for getting her so much sugar, but secretly she can’t wait to tear into the sugary treats!

Mom has slaved away in the kitchen for 20 odd years to feed you your favorite dinner or pack you a yummy brown bag lunch, so this is the perfect time for you to return the favor! Surprise her with breakfast in bed, or cook her a fabulous dinner to show her how much you care and appreciate all the hard work she done! www.allrecipes.com has a ton of great recipes specifically for Mother’s Day! This is a very heartfelt gesture, and won’t cost you hardly anything!

 

If you really feel like splurging and spoiling Mom, take her to the spa! There are deals at resorts valleywide for Mother’s Day, including VH Spa at Valley Ho, Revive Spa at JW Marriot Desert Ridge, Spa Aviana at the Hyatt Recency Scottsdale, and many more! To see the full list of hotels offering discounted treatments, visit http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/azspagirl/51600. 

 

How to show love on Valentine’s Day

Many have no one to share Valentine’s Day with. So why not make them feel loved? Here are some simple ways to show love to those around you:

1. Go through a drive-thru, such as Starbucks, and pay for the person’s drink or snack behind you. You can ask the cashier how much their order is to make sure it’s affordable. This can instantly make someone’s day. And who knows, maybe they’ll return the favor to the person behind them and soon everyone will be spreading the love.

2. Send Valentine’s Day cards to all your friends, or even that person you talk to in class. Let them know they are appreciated.

3. Know someone who has been down in the dumps lately or has just gotten out of a relationship? Leave them a lovely care package on their doorstep filled with something simple like flowers or candy.

4. Gather up old towels, sheets, blankets or bathmats you no longer use and donate them to a veterinary hospital or animal shelter. Animals should feel loved, too.

5. Also, love yourself on this holiday! If you’re alone for the holidays cook or- for those like me who can’t cook- buy your favorite meal, relax on the sofa and watch a feel-good movie. Or get a group of your friends together and go out for a dinner and celebrate being independent!

6. It can even be as simple as holding the door open for someone or offering to return a person’s grocery cart at the store. Look at the world around you. There are plenty of little random acts of kindness that you can perform.

7. Bake cookies or a cake for someone who would love them. Perhaps a neighbor, your coworkers or a teacher.

8. Compliment a stranger and smile more often.

9. If you can, leave a larger tip than usual at a restaurant. Trust me, your server will appreciate it.

10. Park at a parking meter? When you go to leave, pay for the next person who will park there. You can also leave change in the soda or vending machine for the next person.

Let the people in your life know how much you appreciate them. Tell them.

More ideas? Leave a comment!
xoxo

How to Preserve Your Flowers Forever

A couple special occasions in life are fortunately filled with the promise of red roses, white carnations, yellow lilies, or a mixed bouquet.  Flowers brighten up any room, but they can only last for so long.  Eventually, they wilt away.  I know that every time I have to throw away my flowers, a certain sadness creeps over me (especially if they were from that certain guy).  But now, instead of throwing away your flowers, use them for much more.  Create a craft project out of your beloved flowers- press them.  After pressing flowers, you can use them for an array of arrangements.   Add an extra touch to pictures, spice up your scrapbooks, design a homemade card- the creative possibilities are endless.  Make sure you press the flower before it wilts.  It’s easier than you think- the hardest part is waiting.

1. Place the flower into a piece of tissue or sheet of newspaper.  Fold the tissue or newspaper over.  Make sure the flower is as flat as possible.
2. Grab a dictionary or phonebook and place the tissue or newspaper (with the flower) in the middle section of the book.
3. Close the book and place other books or heavy objects over it.
4. After about a week check the flowers, and change the paper inside.  Leave the objects over the book for another 2-3 weeks.
5. Open your book, and voila! Your flower will be pressed and ready to use.