Are you scratching your head trying to figure out what to give your mother for Mother’s Day? As you and your mother get older the gifts are harder to buy.
Think about it. If you’re at least as old as me you’ve been buying gifts for mom for more than 50 years and you’ve noticed some of the gifts never made it out of the gift box.
Some of them are sitting right next to the unused Christmas presents. This can mean one of two things. Your mother doesn’t like your taste in gifts or she likes to save things to use at some time in the distant future. When mom, when?
This year I’m trying to play it smart and buy my mother things that I think she will really appreciate and enjoy. I’ve been looking around her house and I’ve noticed several things that I think will make her happy.
I’m not going to publish what I’m getting so she’ll be somewhat surprised. But if your mom is getting older it’s time to rethink the presents.
A basket of her favorite things will be fun to put together and will contain things I’m sure she will use. Here are a few suggestions of what to put in it. To start, let’s put in several pairs of reading glasses.
My mom sometimes misplaces her glasses so a few extra pairs will not hurt. A small box of her favorite candy should be included in the basket and a gift card to one of the buffet restaurants that she likes to frequent.
Maybe your mom collects something. My mom loves African Violets, so I’ll add one to her collection.
As your parents become less active it’s not necessary to buy such extravagant presents. Sometimes things that give comfort like a warm and fuzzy robe or slippers are the best gifts.
A cell phone with big numbers or a Life Line membership might be the best gift. Gifts like these will help your parent maintain their independence and give you some piece of mind as well.
While these are good gifts, make sure you put something a little more personal in the package.
When selecting a card look for the ones with larger print. If you’re thinking of buying your mom one of the new musical cards think twice about that.
If mom is not up to speed on the latest and greatest in technology a card that starts to sing or talk as soon as she opens it may not be the best idea. You don’t want to shock mom into a coronary.
The best present may be just a little time with you.
Have a happy Mother’s Day.
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It’s not often we know the outcome of the numerous fund-raisers that we cover but when we do we like to share.
Last week we featured the Denyce Graves Benefit Concert sponsored by The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Links, Inc.
The concert raised a total of $95,000 to benefit four community organizations. The presentation of the proceeds was made on May 6 at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association in Oakland.
The African American Music Institute, The Hill District Branch of the Carnegie Library, The Neighborhood Academy and Three Rivers Youth each received $23,750.
Kudos to the Links for a job well done.
(E-mail the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com.)
