By Rosie Siefert, THE ACTIVE TIMES
Although we should always be grateful for how much the maternal figure in our lives does for us, Mother’s Day is the day to really show your appreciation. Whether it’s your mom, your grandma, an aunt or someone else, honoring that person might look a bit different in 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily, there are ways to be creative and have a good Mother’s Day regardless. You can do simple acts of kindness from your home or partake in a socially distanced festivity. A little celebration or gesture can go a long way.
Although we should always be grateful for how much the maternal figure in our lives does for us, Mother’s Day is the day to really show your appreciation. Whether it’s your mom, your grandma, an aunt or someone else, honoring that person might look a bit different in 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily, there are ways to be creative and have a good Mother’s Day regardless. You can do simple acts of kindness from your home or partake in a socially distanced festivity. A little celebration or gesture can go a long way.
Have a movie night
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Sure, you can watch a movie any night, but if it’s tradition to take your mom out to the movies on any other Mother’s Day, then set up a theater in your house. Dim the lights and cover your coffee table with bowls of goodies like buttery popcorn and theater candy. Stream a nostalgic favorite or rent one of the new releases that have been sent straight to the internet. If you don’t live with your mom, hold a watch party virtually. After all, that is one of the best ways to keep in touch with loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.
Send mom her favorite meal
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If you don’t live at home anymore, you can still make your mom her favorite meal while practicing social distancing. Whip up one of the best brunch recipes and drop the meal off on her doorstep. Make it extra special by adding a card to the bag.
Order takeout from her favorite restaurant
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Support a local restaurant and put a smile on your mom’s face all in one. There are plenty of restaurants and chains offering free delivery during this time, so order dinner and dessert and have it delivered right to your mom’s door.
Make a gratitude video
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We learn a lot of life lessons from our parents. To show your mom how grateful you are for the values and lessons she’s taught you, make a video montage of you and your siblings thanking her. Have each sibling share their favorite memories. Get grandchildren and other family members involved as well for the ultimate tribute video.
Send a homemade gift
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If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids entertained during quarantine, break out the art supplies and have them make mementos for their grandma. If you’re a father looking to give something special to mom, these homemade gifts will truly make her smile.
Direct a skit with your siblings
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Did you stay up late watching “SNL” with your mom? While you’re spending more time at home, make your own skit to give your mom something to laugh about this Mother’s Day. Make her laugh out loud by recreating old home videos of you and your siblings. Yes, that means finding some corduroy overalls, poofy dresses, shoulder pads — you name it. If you don’t live at home, you and your siblings can do this virtually and then edit the videos into one.
Make an in-home scavenger hunt to her gift
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Not only is your mom staying on top of household tasks and making sure the fridge and pantry are still stocked, but she’s probably also been working from home. Make being home a little more interesting by creating a scavenger hunt for your mom to follow. To stick with social distancing guidelines, keep the scavenger hunt indoors and have a video call while she looks for her gift.
Drive by the house with posters and balloons
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So many acts of kindness have emerged since the pandemic began, and that includes social distancing in style. Set up chairs 6 feet apart to catch up and enjoy a drink together, or you can decorate your car with posters and balloons and have all your siblings drive by your mom’s house for a mini-parade.
Special invitation dinner
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If you normally take your mom out to an expensive dinner on Mother’s Day, this year you might just have to make your own kitchen a five-star establishment. Print out a special invitation, decorate the kitchen, light some candles and set the table for a full-service meal. If you’re not living at home, leave it at her door and then set up a video call dinner date.
Bake with her
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No experience is needed to make baking a fun activity. There are plenty of tips for amateur bakers, or you can stick with something tried and true like your mom’s favorite cookies. Make this a social distancing-friendly activity by doing a video call and using the same recipe to bake together while in your own kitchens.
Have a backyard picnic
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Bring back some of the snacks you loved in your youth and spread them out on a picnic blanket in the backyard. Soak in some sunshine with your mom and reminisce on childhood memories. If you and your siblings all live in different areas, do a group video call with your mom and have a virtual picnic.
Send her flowers
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Call your local florist to see if they’re delivering and pick out some springtime buds to gift to your mom. Order a few bouquets if you’re planning on sending some to your grandma or aunts as well.
Host a book club
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If your mom is a reader, she’ll love a book club. Pick up a couple copies of a book that’s been on your mom’s reading list, and have your family read it before Mother’s Day. Then, make coffee at home (and be sure to complete the setup with desserts), call her on Zoom or FaceTime and have a nice chat.
Order matching T-shirts for the family to wear
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At some point in your life, you probably remember having to match with your siblings to some degree. Make this Mom’s Day memorable by ordering the whole family matching T-shirts or even pajamas. If you’re feeling extra funny, add an old family photo or your mom’s face to the attire. Ship mom her shirt in the mail with a note attached asking her to wear it for a Mother’s Day video call, and tell your siblings to keep it a surprise — she’ll love it when the whole family shows up in matching outfits.
Make her breakfast in bed
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There were many early mornings when your mom woke up to make you breakfast before school. Treat her on this special day with the best breakfast in bed recipes. You can also order her favorite breakfast for delivery.
Have a spa day
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Turn your home into a resort-style spa. Boil water and add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil for an at-home facial steam. Then, set out bath salts, a face mask and a bottle of wine for your mom to enjoy. Complete the experience with a fuzzy robe and DIY manicures. Not at home? Ship your mom all the spa-day essentials with small notes attached to each one that list how to apply it or what the benefits are.
Do an at-home wine tasting
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It won’t be the same as going to a vineyard, but your backyard will have to suffice. Decorate your yard with comfortable lawn furniture and flowers to make a scene. Purchase a variation of wines and pair them with fruits and assorted cheeses for a lovely day outdoors. If you’re doing this virtually, be sure you both buy the same wines to get the full experience.
Make a mimosa bar
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Mimosas don’t just have to be an out-to-eat treat. Add them to your at-home brunch. Pop the bubbly, add orange juice, mango juice or papaya juice, then garnish with fruits like raspberries or strawberries. Deliver all the makings to your mom along with a cute champagne flute if you’re doing this via FaceTime or Zoom.
Host your own wine and paint class
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Instead of going out to a paint and sip class, have a makeshift version at home. You’ll need canvases, paints, wine and glasses. Ship canvases and painting supplies to your mom for a social distancing wine and paint. If your mom isn’t the artsy type, make it a game night instead.
Help her with a project she’s been wanting to do
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Keeping up on the usual household tasks and working from home has probably put a damper on fun DIY activities or hobbies your mom likes spending time on. Set aside time this Mother’s Day to help her complete a project around the house she’s been putting off. Find out what tools or items she’ll need, order them for her and have them shipped to her house.
Go on a virtual museum tour
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If a typical tradition is to visit a museum for Mother’s Day, it could be fun to switch things up social-distance style. Take a tour of museums you’ve never been to, but do a free online virtual tour rather than visiting the actual place.
Help her in the garden
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If you’ve usually left the gardening up to your mom, ask her if you can help this year. It will give you time to spend together doing something she loves, and you can learn some tips about her green thumb in the meantime. Not near your mom this year? Deliver her favorite seeds to plant or some new gardening tools.
Host a tea party
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Not only are tea parties fun, but they’re also good for your health. Boil some tea, bake some sweets and toast your mom on this day of celebration. You can do this easily over FaceTime or Zoom as well. Get your kids involved in the fun too. Having a little tea party is one of the best ways to celebrate an event during the coronavirus pandemic.
