Thursday, April 29, 2010

Mother's Day Gifts

The Topic: Money-Saving Gifts for Mom

The Dish: Mother's Day is almost a week away, meaning there's no time like the present to pick out the perfect gift to show you care—seriously, there's no time! I've rounded up a few ideas to get you started, whether your budget is $2 or $200.
  • What do many moms want more than anything on their special day? My guess: you! If you can't afford to fly in for a face-to-face visit, make some time for a video chat (Skype is free and fantastic). She'll get to see your glowing face, and you can spend some quality time catching up. Word of warning: Video chats are even harder to end than phone calls. Schedule post-chat events accordingly.
  • If you can make it home, there's always the classic gift of your chef-ly talents. Preparing a meal from scratch is always sweet, and plenty of delicious recipes are easy on the wallet, too. VegWeb has an amazing Mother's Day page full of ideas. I recommend the Best Ever French Toast.
  • Cater to Mom's sweet tooth with the ridiculously decadent Sweet & Sara Marshmallow Variety Sampler. These aren't just vegan marshmallows—they're a party in your mouth. A gourmet treat, the sampler is also a steal at $6.25, and right now S&S is offering a 10-percent discount with the code "spring." You can also buy slightly imperfect sweets—but still highly tasty—at an even deeper discount.
  • Vegan Etsy is a wonderful, time-sucking marketplace that's damn near guaranteed to have something Mom would like. With more than 2,000 vintage and handmade gifts, you can sort by price and keywords, making it a cinch to find the best buy. Whether it's these cute heart-shaped turquoise earrings ($5.25) or a Sailor Jerry-inspired soy wax candle ($6), you can score a one-of-a-kind bargain.
  • If you want to splurge on your saintly mother but can't ignore your bargain-hunting nature, Vaute Couture is having an amazing sale right now. Its eco-friendly, high-quality, vegan winter coats are selling for 35–70 percent off the original prices. Sure, it's almost summer, but how impressed will Mom be that you're planning ahead? How grown up! And seriously, these coats are gorgeous and will last many winters, reminding her of your stylish and thoughtful self every time she wears it.
  • Shameless promotion here, but did you know the VN store sells tons of delicious treats—including vegan peanut butter cups and candy bars—as well as our favorite veg books and merch? Oh, and shipping is always free, which is a big money-saver.
  • I love Lush and all of its handmade, cruelty-free cosmetics. There are always new, fun products, and it has a laundry list of animal- and planet-friendly initiatives to its name. The latest offering includes the abolishment of paper gift-wrap in favor of its new Knot-Wrap. Using scarves made from either recycled materials or vintage fabric, all Lush stores will offer Knot-Wraps to secure purchases for pretty presentation. Reusable as everything from a jaunty ascot to a grocery bag, these scarves are pretty and functional, and can easily conceal the perfect Mother's Day gifts.
The Final Word: Guess what? I have one adorable Knot-Wrap filled with seven brand-new Lush products to give away, including Mint Julips Lip Scrub and Creme Anglaise Hand and Body Cream. Valued at more than $100, it's the ideal Mother's Day gift package, and one lucky commenter will win the whole shebang, because the cheapest gift is the one you get for free. Just leave a comment and let me know: What are your plans for Mother's Day? Let me know by noon on Monday for your chance to win. Go!

65 comments:

  1. I plan to head back home to celebrate Mother's Day with my mother, grandmother and sister who is expecting her second child. I will bring some vegan treats for everyone to enjoy and we'll probably spend the day telling funny stories about our kids and being a mom.

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  2. I'm going to go home and take my mom to lunch and then surprise her by bringing her to the Verizon store to buy her a new cell phone and get us on a family plan. That way we can talk to each other all we want and save money!

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  3. I'm spending Mother's Day at my aunt's house. It's also a dual party: my bday (Apr 28) AND Mother's Day. My mom's going to make me a vegan chocolate cake--I am SO excited! Besides it being my bday party, it is also a day to celebrate my mom and my grandma, who passed away about two years ago of Alzheimer's. It's always nice to come together and think about people we love and lost.

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  4. I'm making a vegan brunch for my mom, dad and boyfriend's mom! Cinnamon-apple french toast, vegan quiche, mimosas, fruit salad, roasted new potatoes. It's my first time having them all over at my new apartment too so it's doubly exciting :)

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  5. My mom lives far away but I'll be calling her and planning my next visit home! Everyday should be mother's day!

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  6. My mom has Celiac disease, so I usually make or bake her a gluten-free treat that we share. It's great bonding time for us. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  7. I plan on making lunch and watching a corny movie with my mom.

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  8. My mom and I are going to Herbivore in Berkeley for a hearty breakfast of tofu hash and pancakes before heading down south to see the amazing redwoods in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. So excited!

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  9. We are going to my mother in law's to visit.

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  10. I am making my mom breakfast in bed! Is that creepy? Whatever, she loves it!! Oh and flowers! And now maybe some Sweet and Sara Marshmallows?!

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  12. I'm going to make my mom some breakfast and give her some (organic) flowers. She loves pancakes and those just happen to be my specialty!

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  13. My partner (who has been (sadly) mom-less since before I knew him) and I will pick my mom up and bring her to our place. While we make delicious vegan brunch she will marvel at the beautiful flowers we've gotten her and play with our two kitties. We'll eat a delicious meal and then head out for a walk up to Stow Lake where we'll watch all the critters frolic in the water and sunshine. We'll head home to get some provisions before we leave again for a mom's-choice movie and then a yummy vegan dinner at, of course, Gracias Madre! At dinner we'll give her a lovely gift (a Knot-Wrap w/7 awesome Lush products, perhaps? ;0) and tell her how much we love and appreciate her and all the wonderful things she does for us. It will be a lovely day.

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  14. My plans for mother's day include lots of mimosas with me and the pup, as I'm a new puppy-mom. Since I can't road trip to see my mom, an intensive post-mimosa phone chat shall take place. There will also be flowers involved.

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  15. My mom is in Texas, and I'm in NYC, so I won't be able to see her. I'm going to send flowers and try the Skype thing; thanks for the idea!

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  16. For Mother's Day, I will be headed home to visit her, and make my brother come too. I'll be making her "fronch" toast (a la Vegan with a Vengeance), mimosas, and fresh strawberries with dark chocolate to dip in. I did the same thing last year without the french toast (which will be on my homemade french bread!), and she loved it! And then I will be spending the rest of the day doing yard work and work around the house for her, as she isn't really able to, and even if she was she shouldn't have to :)

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  17. My birthday falls on Mother's Day this year! I wasn't actually born on Mother's Day 27 years ago, but it's nice to share the day with my mom every few years :)
    I won't be able to see my mom this year, but am making the trip over Memorial Day (which oddly enough is usually my dad's birthday - but not this year!).

    I haven't decided what to get mom yet, but was thinking of ordering some of the vintage print chicobags so my mom can start saving the earth one bag at a time :) I've also considered some Lush products because I love their vegan line, and maybe a copy of the kind diet. My parents aren't vegan, but I like to introduce them to vegan items so they can see why I do what I do :)

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  18. Since my mom and I live pretty far away from each other, I usually call her on Mother's Day. I also send her a jar of homemade jam and a handmade card!!! Thanks for hosting such a wonderful giveaway!!!

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  19. I don't live close to my mom and my mom's bday falls the day after mother's day, so I need to do double gift duty! I usually send two cards and one bigger gift!

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  20. I plan to call my mother and send her something on the list. we are separated by miles but I know what to send her. I also will be spending the day with my children and my grandchildren which is a real plus. other than my daughter just moved and so I wont see her or those darling grandchildren.It will be a great day of enjoying family!!

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  21. We'll be going to my grandpa's house with the whole famfam to honor the mothers in our family, present and no longer present. :)

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  22. I will be spending the weekend with my (almost) mother-in-law, celebrating Mother's Day and her birthday! Vegan baked goods are definitely on her gift list:-)

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  23. I will be spending the day enjoying some quality time with my sweet husband and two little kids. We're indoctrinating them with our love of the outdoors, so we'll probably be found outside--hiking, looking at bugs and flowers and appreciating our turbulent spring weather! (It's snowing today.)

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  24. Thanks for the heads-up about the Knot-Wrap! I'll have to stop by Lush to see if they have it here too.
    As for Mother's Day, I'm expecting we will gather the whole family for brunch. One of my mom's favorite thing to do is spend time with her grandchildren, and she really enjoys having us all together.

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  25. I can't make it to see Mom on Mother's Day, so I will take your advice and Skype her. I did visit her last month and gave her a necklace I had made as an early present. She was beaming as she showed it off the everyone. - Linda in NM

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  26. Mother's Day will be spent by remembering my mother, who passed away in 2008. Also, I will be talking to my step-mom, who has never acted like a step-anything, she is the real deal! :-)

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  27. We will have brunch at home. Hopefully my brother will come home from college for the event. We don't often spend a lot of time together, so just doing brunch will be nice.

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  28. My plans at this point for Mother's Day will end up 1 of 2 ways:
    1/ Visiting Mum at the Nursing Home if she is still in to much pain to move. I will bring the party there,,one way or another it will be a celebration :)
    2/ Hopefully Mum is well enough that I can get her to my place in a taxi. If so,we will have family over(maybe someone could give her a ride here) and we would order her favorite food,,I'll be the only Vegan but will stay true :)
    I love my Mother,,she is also my friend and is really getting on now,,I cherish every memory we have and those still yet to make. Gonna make as many as we can ♥

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  29. I'll be leading several teenage girls on a weekend retreat and won't get back until around 6 pm on Mothers Day. I have the cutest card from curlygirldesign (I don't work for them; I just love their products) and will be scheduling dinner and a walk for a different date.

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  30. I'm flying from my school in Boston to my cousin's graduation in Boulder, CO. My mom, brother, two aunts (more like second moms) and 5 cousins will be there to celebrate two graduations but MOST IMPORTANTLY, our beautiful mothers. It's the first time we will all get to be together on Mother's Day for years and I could not be more excited!

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  31. I'm heading to a craft fair this weekend and I'll buy my mom some cute handmade jewelry. On the big day she gets breakfast in bed (latte with almond milk and fluffy vegan pancakes with earth balance and bananas)

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  32. My mom is getting the gift of me ... I'm going down for a visit and we're going to check out a local bead shop to make some jewelry. Fun times to be had by all (except, possibly my dad ... but he gets his day ...)

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  33. Mom's day will start with the usual homemade brunch tradition... I make everything except the waffles, which my dad always conquers (it's the ONLY thing he knows how to cook properly). Then I plan on taking her to shop until our feet are sore and bloody! Well, maybe just sore.

    Great idea on the Lush wrap, I've never tried anything from there, but it always look beautiful and smells dellicious.

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  34. Ironically, my dad is flying across the country to visit me that weekend, while my mom is staying at home (especially ironic because they're marrried). So I'll spend the day on the phone begging her to visit soon!

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  35. i'm driving to my hometown (about 4 hours away) to surprise my mom with a mother's day brunch! vegan, of course!!

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  36. i plan on making brunch and going for a nice long walk with my mom. hopefully washington can suck it up and not rain that day!

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  37. My daughter, mother, and I are all vegan, so we're planning a vegan brunch - hopefully made by the men in our lives :)

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  38. I'm guessing it will be dinner or a picnic/cookout with the whole family. It ia a great to celebrate mom, but a good excuse to spend time with those you love.

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  39. My daughter and I will have vegan cupcakes and bring some to a new mother!

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  40. After a Friday spent educating some fellow Bio majors on the goodness of vegan cupcakes, I'm going to create some more vegan goodies (pound cake and fresh berries always goes over well) for my mother and grandmother. We're having a lovely dinner together on Sunday!

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  41. For my dear Mother, who isn't anywhere close to driving distance, some homemade cards (some by my kiddos) and a video chat should delight her. As for me, that's usually a surprise, the kids and hubby keep it silent each year and I never know what to expect. Last year included a homemade princess crown and a shopping spree for some new kitchen gear. Can't wait.

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  42. definitely going to be mailing my mom a hand written card, nothing like a gift from a college kid ;)

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  43. I plan on making my mom chocolate cupcakes with chocolate coconut cream ganache!

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  44. My mom is going to be in Hawaii for Mother's Day with her boyfriend! Our celebration is being postponed and will include Veggie Grill lunch and coconut lemon bundt cake (recipe from Veganomicon!)

    Sasha
    retrochick421 at hotmail dot com

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  45. I am actually taking my mom out to a Goo Goo Dolls concert on the 12th, so we will celebrate then, maybe some Whole Foods Hot Bar before hand since we are both obsessed! ;)

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  46. We are going to go find something fun to do downtown and I want to try and make some vegan lemon bars she loves lemon!

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  47. My family lives far away so I'm sending a card and postponing making my mom dinner for when she visits this month!!! Vegan barbecue all the way ;)

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  48. I'm putting together a brunch gift basket for my mom. I'm baking a bunch of different tea loaves and freezing them one by one, gathering tiny samples of jams and spreads, and collecting little juice, tea, and coffee stuffs to combine into one inexpensive but satisfying gift full of variety. My mom hates to get up in the mornings, much less manage breakfast for herself, so I hope this will make her week much more pleasant! (Besides, I hate to think of her wussing out and having donuts or something. This way, I can sneak in some flaxseed and cranberries and other healthy stuff! I won't tell her that it's all vegan, either.)

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  49. I am heading over to my mom's Saturday morning to make a weekend of it. We're going to plant flowers and work in her garden, spend some time at the spa and then have a girls night out, followed by a delicious Sunday morning brunch :)

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  50. spending time at the house with Mom, my StepDad, sister, and brother - and cooking a veg Italian feast! ;)

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  51. For mother's day, my husband and daughter will be taking me out for the day! I think we might go bowling or skating or something fun like that. I can't wait!

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  52. n9840153@hotmail.comMay 3, 2010 at 9:40 AM

    My mom is coming to visit and we are having som lunch. Not super exciting, but laid back.

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  53. I'm going to spend the weekend with my daughter and her family. They just bought a new home and I'm going to paper the kitchen shelves!

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  54. It's my first mother's day since I myself became a mommy. So I'll spend it with my family. Unfortunately my mom lives in Greece so I don't get to see her but we'll probably skype and I've already ordered some flowers to be delivered to her :)

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  55. Since we live in Guatemala, I won't get to see my mom for Mother's Day. However, I always send her a bouquet of flowers and my 3 year old son always calls her to say hi. I love my Mom!

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  56. My mother has a lapel pin collection so I'm getting her a pin from Tweak Jewelry of a preserved orchid. She's going to LOVE it!

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  57. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting breakfast in bed, then we're planting a cherry tree and my husband is putting up a hammock for me. For my mom, my daughters and I are joining her at church for a tea. Happy Mother's Day everyone!! :)

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  58. I have to clean the house because my MIL is coming to stay with us for nine days (heavy sigh), but I am sure that my hubby will insist that I take an hour or so off to relax...lol...
    Alicia Webster
    5webs@comcat.net

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  59. I'm giving my mom a day off. I'll do her laundry and cleaning around the house, maybe we'll do some gardening too. =)

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  60. Home grown flowers and dinner out for my mother-in-law. Something interesting to plant in the garden for my mom... sorry we can't be with her that day.

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  61. I will celebrate by calling my momma! She will be away so I won't see her until she gets back. Then I'm going to treat her to a nice vegan meal, complements of ME!

    -Kara

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  62. Mothers Day brunch! Always my favorite. I love being able to make a vegan brunch for my non-vegan Mom and have her love it!

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  63. I am the only vegan in the family, so any holiday is hard because the family won't even think about making any vegan treats, so this year i am hosting mom's day with nothing but vegan chocolates and goodies. My son painted all the place settings and helped with all the treats. So far, both my mother and mother in law have magically had something come up to where they cannot attend, so it is just my son and myself and two weeks worth of tasty treats, that we can now start enjoying early. Happy Mom's Day! -Amber

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  64. My wonderful vegan husband and I plan to enjoy a wonderful vegan meal with my wonderful vegan mom.

    Mom was an omni and didn't even know what the word vegan meant. But when we became vegan 5 years ago, all it took was about 5 minutes explanation before she began cleaning out her fridge of all the pork and chicken and fish and cheese and eggs. She gave the food to needy seniors she knew and has been vegan ever since.

    She figured out vegan versions of our traditional latin favorites, and now treats friends to her homemade vegan food, cakes and pies, and on shopping trips shows them how easy it is to make vegan choices.

    She hasn't brought anyone over from the dark side yet, but every vegan meal is a victory. She's the best.

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  65. I use the word shebang too.

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