Entering: Fun. Mom. Season!!
And, Mother's Day Things!
Ladies and Gentlemen (if there are gentlemen here!) I am happy to report that WE HAVE MADE IT. Spring is in the air (for real!). The sun is rising early enough to not want to cry every time my morning alarm goes off. It’s warm enough to eat meals outside. We can be outside of our house after meals without gearing up. It’s scooter/bike ride season. It’s walk after dinner season. It’s picnic at the park season. I have to shut the blinds when I put my kids to bed because the sun is still shining and it’s going to stay dark even later for the next almost two months. I have left my jacket in my car most days when I’ve headed into work. My yard is showing more and more signs of life every day. The leaves are budding and there is something new to see bloom every single day. I’m a fall girl forever and ever but I will never argue with the dopamine boost, depression-lifting, new beginnings and fresh start feelings, we’re having good weather for the NEXT SIX MONTH uplifting feeling of spring.
You know what it also is? It’s the start of FUN MOM SEASON.
What’s fun mom season, you ask? It’s only just the time of year when things get just a little bit easier because of the beautiful weather and I just want to say yes to everything.
Pizza takeout at the playground with friends on a random weeknight? Yes. Bike races around the parking lot near our house? Yes. Quick trip to grab ice cream before everyone needs to run inside and have a bath? Yes. Worm tag (a made-up game that we play where I chase my kids around with a giant play tunnel and throw it at them to catch them inside the “worm” 100 times after we finish dinner? Yes. Stay late at the park for 5 more minutes 25 times over and everyone gets into bed way later than usual? Yes.
It won’t last forever. Work and life and activities and the schedule will eventually make it harder to do all of these things, and I will have to say no, or I’ll just want to say no because I don’t feel like it, or I’m tired, or for whatever reason - but right now — Right now — I just want to say yes to everything. I want to suggest things that everyone will think is fun and be excited about. I want to yell — let’s go swing on the swings and have all three of my kids yell “SWINGS” (my youngest just started saying “swing” and it’s so unbelievable cute it hurts) in unison. It’s giving me energy and I’m going to keep holding on to it for as long as I possibly can!
I know your inbox is probably overflowing with Mother’s Day things at this point in the game. I am sending this about two weeks later that I planned that I would in my head.
So, maybe you don’t need another post about Mother’s Day in your inbox (okay, you probably don’t), but, it is the next holiday on the calendar (besides cinco de mayo & derby day for those who are dedicated observers of those two very very important days) and mom’s really are the best, so I’ll throw a little more inspiration in the ring.
And while I have a natural inclination to ignore/roll my eyes at holidays that are mostly hallmark-driven, as the subject of celebration on said holiday I am willing to take pause and reconsider. (Plus I have a partner who is celebrated on Father’s Day and even though we are ABSOLUTELY NOT KEEPING SCORE WE WOULD LITERALLY NEVER DO THAT, OKAY!) I do believe it’s quite important to ensure equal opportunity of celebrations for both of us! And, ya know, it is actually really quite important to celebrate and recognize the work of mothering.
In general, this is a round up you could forward along to your partner (or kids, or whomever is shopping for you!) with a few things highlighted and a brief message of “Would love x or y this year!” Or, maybe you’re shopping for a mom or mom-like figure in you’re life and it might give you an idea or two!
But before you do that- remember that, in addition to being an opportunity receive a gift of (if you exchange gifts for Mother’s Day!) or to give yourself a special little treat (just as good, maybe better, honestly!), Mother’s Day is an opportunity to get to have a day that unfolds exactly the way you’d like it to.
The thing about having the kind of day that you want - it means you have you think about what you want and articulate it to your partner, or to whoever it is that is coordinating the celebrating. What it is looks different to each of us!! But, if you will be celebrated this Mother’s Day holiday (or if you’re responsible for celebrating someone!!!) now is the time to articulate exactly the type of day you want to have, so that no one has to guess, and os there is actually enough time for them to pull it through for you!
I don’t know why or how it became so tricky for many of us to be able to identify what it is that we want and also be afraid or self-conscious about or unable to articulate it, but we gotta work on stopping it! Maybe you have a mind reader of a partner, or maybe you are so go-with-the-flow that you don’t actually have a vision at all for what your day looks like - in which case — send a little of that go-with-the-flow my way, okay? But, as someone who has tried the - “they will figure out what I want” approach, and had it not work out so great, I wouldn’t recommend it!
If, off the top of your head, you don’t know what your ideal mother’s day looks like — some ideas to get your creativity flowing…
What do you love to do with your kids? (And what don’t you love?) what fills your cup, what drains it? Love to read books but not have to serve lunch and clean it up? Maybe you have a couple hours of morning time with your kiddos and then head out to get a pedicure and read your book and have lunch with friends!
What do you like to do for yourself? Or what is something you never have quite enough time to be able to do as you’d like to? Read a book? Workout? Do a project around the house? Get a manicure or pedicure? Go for a hike? Play tennis? Have lunch at a favorite restaurant? Go to a workout class? Make a plan to go do those things!
Do you want to be alone? Or with others? If you want to be with others, ask other women in your life if they want to do something with you! Last year I went on a hike with some friends and it was so nice, I’m remembering that we should coordinate that again this year!
Do you want a treatment or spa day? Find a spa or salon where you could go & get a treatment & send it to your partner. Bring a book, download an audiobook + go for a nice long walk afterward.
Is there something specific and special you want to do or do you want to be able to stay at home (alone? Sounds dreamy!)? If you want time at home alone, ask your partner to plan a way to be out of the house with the kids for the day (or part of the day!)
My tip is to be clear on this, make sure it’s realistic, and then tell your partner (kindly!) what you’d like to do to celebrate the day! Be specific (eg: you want to be at home alone for several hours, not for 30 minutes!) Don’t leave anything unaddressed unless you want to be surprised! Let them figure out for you how to make it happen!
I also saw a really great piece of advice that I loved - I think it was from TIBAL — I think it was in response to a question about how to balance getting what you want on Mother’s Day and also being responsible for celebrating your mom or mother-in-law, or any other mom-figure in your life. The gist — if you are in the thick of parenting a kid who lives in your home - Mother’s Day is about you — you get a break. It’s on your partner to help coordinate a celebration with the other’s Mother’s (if that’s what you guys do), and it’s on those women to recognize that you deserve a break, and shouldn’t be responsible for turning up with a big show for them. She mentioned that her partner takes their kids to go celebrate the grandmother’s and she gets time to herself, and I really loved that suggestion!
Yes, of course, all the generations of mother’s deserve to be celebrated on Mother’s Day, and also, let the mom’s of younger kids get to really luxuriate in the celebration. We’ll pay it forward in the future, I promise!
If, beyond having a beautiful day, you are in the market for a physical gift (or you’re treating yourself to one)…look no further!
Beauty Things
I am not sure exactly how I stumbled upon this brand, but I did, and I took a major gamble and ordered a “quickdraw” (aka a little roller tube) of Jordan’s Perfume, and I’d obsessed. I took a long hiatus of perfume until a few years ago when I randomly bought Glossier You when at Sephora with a girlfriend, and now I really love it. This scent is subtle and not too sweet, but I love it! A perfume discovery set would also make a fun little treat.
I appear to be in my perfume era, because I’ve also tried Lake & Skye (gifted!) 11:11 perfume, and it’s also super lovely and very wearable. I know a gifted perfume is not for everyone, but I am finding being able to try different scents very fun, and the practice of putting on perfume as part of my getting ready routine feels just a teensy bit luxurious! If you’ve never tried before, or are very picky, I’d go for the purse spray! You can use code 15CHRISTINA!
I love a lip product (I am a horder of them!), and always think a little lip product is a fun treat, and pretty safe (other makeup categories can be hard to gift!! These lip treatments are new from the Outset (gifted!) and I love them. I’m addicted to this from Eadem (also gifted!), and I wear this lip stain to work most days (with the Eadem or Outset gloss on top!. Finally - the Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm is one of my favorite things to gift - so luxe and the color (I recommend rosewood) looks good on everyone!
An amazing everyday hairclip - for pulling your hair back, or for doing the brand’s signature airdry - is something she might never buy herself, but then go on to use everyday. Or, a sartorial clip is fun too!
You might not know the type of shampoo and conditioner that someone prefers, but you could gift just about any hair type this detox shampoo and they would love it! It gives the CLEANEST results (I use every few shampoos and it lasts a super long time!)
Two other skin things that are great for everyone — this moisturizer (I think I just bought my 5th bottle), and this peptide serum (just purchased my 3rd refill!)
Home things
I personally think that a beautiful thing for someone’s home is always a great gift — especially if you love to entertain, have dinner parties, or just want little ways to add some oomph into the everyday routine of family meals. This pitcher is as good for water on a picnic table dinner and also works for fresh flowers! I have a few of these tap lights and I love them — they are great for dinners outside, look beautiful as decor, and they set a fun mood on a dining table. My kids move them around and use them in forts or various other play things!
It’s porch plant season — so a pot to feature some spring flowers is always a great choice!
I am a pouch girl, I have many and am always filling things with them, using them for travel and just day-to-day. Weezie, a very favorite brand (this is one of my favorite things they make, my kids live in these is the summertime!) gifted me one of their fabulous toiletry pouches and it’s so great. It’s flexible, holds everything i need for a trip (including enough room for some full-size things because I don’t have everything in travel size!) and wipes easy. A great gift! This is another really cute pouch!
Furbish Studio is a go-to gift & home spot for me, and I really love this little lacquer tray as a little treat. HA!
My husband got himself this cute little speaker for a golf trip this winter, and we use it SO MUCH. My kids will take it into their room to listen to music, we bring it into the bathroom during bathtime, and bring it outside with us. It’s the perfect easy, unbreakable speaker! Also you can personalize it with your own image - so, have the kids create a cute picture and VOILA!
In Kind Magazine is so unique and incredibly curated and edited, I look forward to receiving mine, and both devour and savor it. Plus, the magazines themselves are a work of art - I stack my copies in our living room! (PS the authors/editors have a great newsletter on here
)!Are you a gardener? An aspiring one? Just really love vibing in your outdoor space? I’m obsessed with this!
Fashion Things
I love Rooni’s beaded necklaces and have two of my own that I wear on heavy rotation - I think they make an amazing gift! How insane is this??
A fun handbag that makes a sartorial statement is another fun gift — something to make her smile when she uses it! I am so obsessed with these (the colors!!) and this is also a very fun little bag to have on hand for any special events!
This is one of the best sun hats I own - I wore it basically daily last summer and look forward to wearing it again. If she might love a statement hat, then this is the pick for her! I am also finding this to be VERY chic.
And just a little note…if mother’s day is quite hard for you, for whatever the reason may be, I’m sending you a huge hug. Parts of the day are quite hard for me - you’re not alone.
Finally, if you’re looking for more Mother’s Day Inspo, some friends and writers I read voraciously have put together great ideas…
- Phillip’s - Mother’s Day Gift Guide is incredible!
- of Brands & Bobs serving up more experiential ideas (and gratitudes), plus she has the best brand and product recommendations!
- pulled a great round-up of ideas for moms!
- always has killer product recommendations and included her take on some good things (several of which I’ve added to my personal wishlist!)
ICYMI
Getting Dressed Postpartum (or anytime after your body has changed)
Two Recent Motherhood Moments that Made My Heart Explode with Joy
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Fun Mom Season!! You've coined another term I will definitely be using (the OG being Chaos Dinner)! Love this roundup
Last summer, I did a post all about “making a case for breaking routine” and it’s exactly this type of weather (and a desperate need for vacation) that inspired it. Love the positivity you’re radiating and will be clicking around on alllll these links!