Fellow Dads, Husbands, sons and daughters, the chances are that the success or failure of the impending Mother’s Day is entirely in your hands. There’s only a couple of weeks left before the big day on Sunday May 13th, so let’s get to it.

The Basics

Breakfast in bed

The night before, we need to head to the store and get everything she likes. The usual suspects are: orange juice, bacon, toast, eggs, coffee, perhaps some champagne or sparkling wine to make a mimosa if you’re feeling fancy.

Flowers

A sad bunch from the gas station won’t cut it. The supermarket will have some pretty nice ones to mark the occasion, but get them early, the good ones sell out.

Pro-tip: To keep them looking fresh for longer, cut off the bottom two inches from the stem and put them in cold water, or wrap a wet paper towel around the bottom and secure it with a zip-lock bag or cling-wrap and a rubber band. (Remove before presenting it!)

A card

Just as important as the flowers, this has to be a nice one, with a message that you really thought about. Start with why she’s a great mother, wife, and friend. If you are feeling crafty, make one and get the kids to help. Another option is to print out one of these cute ones from WomansDay.com

Again, the best ones can sell-out so plan ahead.

The gift

Oh sure, she’ll say that she doesn’t want a gift and that a nice card more than enough. This is a trap.

Exercise and Sporting theme

Tread incredibly carefully here, boys. Unless she has either made an expressed interest in owning a fitness tracker, or is out running every evening, this may be perceived as a hint, thus ruining the whole day.

That being said, the Fitbit Alta HR Monitor comes in black, coral (orange), rose gold, fuscia, and gunmetal.

Books and Bags

Your local bookstore has a massive variety of options for you. I always ask for help as I never have any clues. Don’t give her self-help books. She will definitely see this as a ‘message’ and you’ll be in a world of trouble. Offer some fiction or books about strong-minded women, because she is one and you love her for it.

A couple of recommendations are Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, now a movie with Reese Witherspoon. Or Michelle Obama’s biography, which is bound to be full of inspiring stories from the former First Lady.

The Day

Ask her what she’d like to do and have a selection of plans up your sleeve. If she’d like to have a leisurely day in bed, offer to take the kids out so she can rest and watch TV. If she’d like to go on a family day, have a couple of options already planned out. Bonus points if you’ve already packed a picnic lunch, just in case!

How about a dinner date? The daytime could be spent as a family, but perhaps you could arrange for a babysitter and book a table at her favourite restaurant?

While practical gifts, like something for the house, or soft shoe inserts, may (to you) show that you care, it’s probably not what she’d like for a gift. Those things can be picked up and given for a random surprise. Mother’s Day is all about making her feel special. Book a spa treatment, some champagne, or take a day off work so she can spend some free time doing whatever makes her happy.

Right, I’ve got some prep to do.

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