Top 5 Pampering Ideas for Mom (That Don’t Involve a Lot of Stuff)

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you’ll likely be getting some appreciation and gifts from your loved ones. However, sometimes those flowers or jewelry aren’t what you really crave. Often the things moms need don’t even involve things. It’s time or space or pampering we yearn for.

Here’s five ideas on how to treat yourself or your mom like the amazing person she is.

Photo by dMap Travel Guide/Flickr

1. Quiet Time

   Carve out a whole day where nothing is scheduled. Arrange ahead of time to have Dad, family, friends or a babysitter take the kids… for at least 6 hours —you deserve some serious alone time. Get out in nature: lie on the beach, stroll through the woods, go surfing.

   At home, you might read a book, soak in the tub, or stay in bed all day. Just be sure household chores are done earlier in the week so that you aren’t tempted to “get a few things done” during your precious alone time. This is not the time for to-do lists or special projects, unless that special project is a favorite hobby that you’ve neglected for months or years due to lack of time. This is your time for doing things with joy, not obligation.

2. Queen for a Day

   Obviously, you need buy-in from the kids and partner on this one. But wouldn’t it be great to have others serving you for a whole day? They pamper you with breakfast in bed and they clean up the kitchen afterwards. They drive you to go shopping, to a lunch date, to that guitar lesson you’ve always wanted to take. Make sure to fit an afternoon nap in between lunch and your favorite dinner—you provide the menu, they cook and clean and provide the after-dinner entertainment.

3. Reflexology

   Everybody always includes massage into gift ideas for Mom. Don’t get me wrong, massages are great, and I’ll take one any day of the week. However, some women aren’t comfortable with full-body touch from strangers.

   Last year I discovered the often overlooked joys and benefits of reflexology. It’s more than just a massage for your feet. It’s “body mapping” wherein pressure applied to specific parts of your feet affects connected body areas. Like acupuncture without the needles. Our feet are overworked and underappreciated; a little attention serves the whole body. When you find someone who does it well, reflexology is an hour of pure bliss.

4. Hired Help

   Sort of the like the Queen for a Day, except you hire a professional service for a week. Pick your most contentious household chore. Do you hate nonstop meal preparation? Get yourself a cook. Wish someone would scrub the grout in the bathroom shower and get to the bottom of that smell in the garage? Hire a maid. Or how about a chauffeur to haul the kids around to their activities while you spend time on your own projects? Sounds enticing, doesn’t it? Luxurious, some might say. But who deserves such luxury more than a mom?

5. Girlfriend Getaway

   Extended time with girlfriends is typical of single life. However, once you have kids, it diminishes greatly. Your girlfriends are often mothers themselves, and scheduling a simple lunch becomes more of a hassle than it’s worth. Don’t let those friendships falter though. Make time for a weekend or even a week-long retreat. Nothing but you and the gals doing whatever floats your boat. Here are a few things on my list: Swim with dolphins while doing yoga in the Bahamas. Tour California wine country. Ride horses and explore rainforests in Costa Rica. Dine al fresco in Italy.

Experiences—alone or with others—often rejuvenate more than things do. They also offer connection. And what could be better than relaxation, rejuvenation and connection?