Making Mother’s Day Special from a Distance – Tips for a Memorable Celebration

Inside: Wondering how can I make mother’s day special from far away? Read on to learn how to you celebrate mother’s day from a distance.

Whether due to distance, health, or for other reasons, if you’re going to be spending this Mother’s Day apart from Mom, you still want the day to be special for her. While we know that an in-person visit is the best Mother’s Day gift of all, life sometimes has other plans.

Of course you’ll send flowers and a card, and perhaps even an extra-special gift like a cozy cashmere cardigan or a classic pearl bracelet. Luckily, technology allows us to overcome many logistical issues. Keep reading to get some great tips on how to make Mother’s Day special no matter how far apart you are.

How to make Mother’s Day special from a distance

 

Organize a Video Chat

If you can’t be there in person, this Mother’s Day, give Mom the next best thing: one-on-one time. Free video call apps abound. The trick is finding the one that works with everyone’s devices, and one that Mom is comfortable using. Zoom is familiar to many nowadays, and Skype is a common option that only requires a (free) Microsoft account to use. For Apple products (iPhone, iPad, MacBook, etc.), FaceTime is built-in and you can have 30 people on the same call.

In addition, any smartphone can be used as a webcam, and you can even use a digital camera for video-chatting. Be sure to organize with your siblings and other family members ahead of time to plan something extra-special for the call. For example, you could all dress up in matching t-shirts and recite a poem or sing a song. Or perhaps you can plan a trip you’ll take together in the future. Whatever you decide, make it a conversation to remember.

Craft a Homemade Gift

Ask any mom, she’ll take a gift from the heart over an impersonal store-bought present any day. When you make something with your own hands, you show her that you’ve invested your time, care, and attention on her. As for what gift you should make, consider both your talents and her preferences. Maybe it’s a batch of heart-shaped cookies. Maybe it’s a crocheted shawl. If you’ve got a special knack for things like leather working, stained glass, or sewing, make something with those. Not feeling up to the challenge? You can also half-DIY it by creating a photo album online and having it sent to her. No mom ever says no to more pix of her kids and grandkids!

 

Travel Virtually Together

If the pandemic did one good thing, it was bringing the wider world to us through a screen. Distance is no longer an issue when it comes to having an adventure. You can tour a museum, garden, national park, zoo, and even go to a foreign country without leaving your respective couches. Visit all sorts of monuments, stately homes, notable sites, and natural wonders for free or a small fee. Ask Mom about some of her dream destinations, or surprise her. Anyone up for a visit to the far end of the solar system? Head over to NASA’s site to see the latest images and videos from the James Webb telescope. Through the magic of the internet, you can go just about anywhere.

 

Assemble a Care Package

Brainstorm about all the things Mom loves to eat, drink, and do, and make up a super deluxe box of goodies to send. This doesn’t have to be fancy; it just needs to be stuff she will appreciate. If you yourself have kids, be sure to include some pix of them, along with homemade cards, crafts, and other personal touches. Alternatively, opt for a self-care-themed pampering gift basket mom will love.

Dine Together

Just because you’re separated by distance doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a lovely meal together. Place a delivery order from Mom’s favorite restaurant, get something similar for yourself, and hold a virtual picnic. A variation on this theme is to have a few bottles of wine sent to Mom and yourself (and other sibs too), and do a group wine-tasting over a video call.

 

Cozy In for a Movie

Mom is a movie buff? Schedule a time to watch an oldie but goodie film together. Keep the phone on speaker so you can chat about your favorite moments. Plan ahead to send an assortment of snacks, popcorn, and maybe even a cozy blanket so all Mom has to do is tune in!

 

Play Together Online

Yet another option to connect over the internet is to play games together. Plenty of moms are avid gamers, but even if yours isn’t, have her check out Jackbox which has easy-to-play options that are accessed with any smartphone or device that has web browsing. Steam is another platform that allows for multiplayer gaming.

 

Subscriptions: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

If you live far away from your mother and will not be able to see her in person for some time, consider giving her a subscription service. A recurring gift will remind her that you care and are thinking of her even though you’re apart. You can find subscriptions for just about any interest: flowers, beauty products, books, coffee, tea, cheese and wine, specialty foods, and so on. You can definitely find something that suits your mom’s unique tastes.

Sometimes being apart is just the way things go. Accept it, and use it as an opportunity to get flex those brain cells. Make Mom proud of the smart and creative child she raised!