This Mother’s Day, show your mom, step-mom or grandmother how much you appreciate all she does. With just a little effort you can surprise her with the one thing she’d love the most: time with family.

Clean the House
It’s funny, but when Mother’s Day comes around you’ll find many moms busy cleaning the house before the celebrations begin. Offering to do the cleaning, or other household chores, is a fantastic idea that she will appreciate. We’ve got some tips to cleaning the natural way. Don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to cleaning? Try doing a chore every day for a week leading up to Mother’s Day.

Offering to do some of the household chores is always appreciated

Get Outside
Whether it’s a leisurely walk, an afternoon bike ride, a family hike, or time together in the garden, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy spring. And while you’re keeping mom busy outside, others can get things set up for the evening to come.

Enjoy a spring day with mom

Cook Dinner
A home cooked meal without mom lifting a finger is a wonderful gesture. Give mom a break and take over the kitchen or the barbeque. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just something simple where the guest of honour doesn’t need to do a thing. Here are some insanely good recipes to help with your menu. No matter what meal you decide on, don’t forget the fresh flowers!

Give mom the night off in the kitchen

Plan A Getaway
It could be a Spa Day where the focus is on pampering, a wine tour, dinner at her favourite restaurant, a weekend getaway, even a Jays game. There is nothing more important to your mom, or your grandmother, than time spent together. If it’s hard to find a time that works for both of you, try doing the spa day at home.

A day away is a great escape

Start a Family Book Club
Pick a book you can both read, and plan to meet up to talk about it. This could turn into an ongoing tradition that will be fun for both of you. Not sure where to start? Good Housekeeping has 26 book titles for moms who love to read.

Start a family book club, everyone can get involved

Game Day or Night
This works well for all ages. You can choose mom’s favourite board game, or more interactive games like charades or trivia. If it’s the afternoon, get outside for a game or croquet, cornhole or horseshoes. The possibilities are as endless as the smiles and giggles that are sure to be part of this special day.

Enjoy an afternoon playing games outside

Take A Class
Get your hands dirty, take an Art Class and come home with something that will always remind you of the time you spent together. There are always beginner art classes available in your community. The Aurora Cultural Centre, for example, offers adult art classes. If cooking is more your style, enjoy taking a cooking class together. For those who are far away from family, you could even get together for a virtual class.

Take an art class in person or virtually

Write A Letter
This will more than likely be the gift she’ll always treasure. Tell your mom, your step-mom or your grandmother some of the things you’ve learned from her over the years, say thank you for all she’s done, or include a childhood memory that means the world to you.

A note from you is a gift she will treasure

Whatever you decide to do, just remember the best gifts of all are activities that bring you and your mom closer together.