Mother's Day gifts that honor her meaningfully

I’ve always cherished Mother’s Day. When I was a child, I would browse multiple stationery stores until I found the just-right card for my mom, and I’d strive each year to come up with a present she would find meaningful. As a mom myself, the holiday means more to me than even my birthday—I feel the love oozing from my son’s handmade cards, and am more proud of being a mom than just about any other aspect of my personhood. And while the holiday holds a tinge of sadness for me since my mother passed away, I still take the time to remember her and hold my memories of her dear on this day, even if it is hard.

With so many of us housebound, it is the perfect opportunity to embark on a Mother’s Day project that may take a little more time than a jaunt to the Hallmark store, but that will deliver boatloads more meaning, for both you and your loved one.

I’ve included ideas from our signature products as well as a couple of new offerings that allow you to honor your family’s legacy both from a distance and at a lower price point.

Kids’ Kit:
Grandparent-Interview-in-a-Box

digital DOWNLOAD: $15

I’m willing to bet there are plenty of questions you’ve never asked your own parents about their childhoods, their travels, their ups and downs—am I right? Trust me when I say that I hear all too often how much folks regret waiting until it’s too late to ask for their parents’ stories; it breaks my heart. Imagine if your own kids did the asking?

This interview kit is designed especially for kids aged 8 and up, and will help them get to know their grandparent in a whole new way (plus, you’ll get answers to some of those questions you might have wondered about!).

The family history kit for kids includes:

• list of questions for grandparent

• tips for recording and transcribing interview, scanning photos, and more

• a photo scavenger hunt and other fun activities

• resources for learning more about the eras in which their grandparents have lived

• ideas for what to do with the interview once it’s done

Download the kit, then let your child be the boss of the whole project—calling Grandma, Nonna, Yaya, Nana, Savta, or whatever they call your mom, asking the questions, and making something meaningful your family will cherish for years to come.

Good news: Your child can re-use the kit to conduct multiple interviews, so they can capture stories from all of their living grandparents. Even better? This is an undertaking your kids will love—maybe as much as their grandparents will (though that’ll be a close contest!).

A Taste of the Past Recipe Cards

$30

This one-of-a-kind set of recipe cards has room for recording not only the ingredients and how-to of your family recipes, but the stories behind them! There are bonus cards with tips for preserving your special food memories, how to get the family involved, and more.

Buy a set for any mom in your life to use herself, or consider distributing cards to a bunch of family members to fill out, then present to mom as a finished set.

These unique recipe cards also make a lovely housewarming or hostess gift (looking ahead to times when we can visit in person again!!). They’re also a better alternative to the email chains proliferating right now (wouldn’t you rather get a handwritten recipe for a FOOD you love from a PERSON you love, rather than some random recipe forwarded to you by a stranger?!).

For a limited time, use discount code RECIPEEXCHANGE for 15 percent off your purchase.

Tribute Heirloom Wall Hanging

$250

Tell your mother how much she is loved—and then let her display it on the wall for all to see!

We’ll conduct a 30-minute phone interview to help you articulate all that you love about your mom, then typeset it along with one special photo. If you prefer to write your tribute, we recommend one to two paragraphs or a few bullet points that hone in on favorite memories, traits, or reasons you love her (maximum 200 words).

We’ll create an ultra-thick signature print of your tribute that will hang from a sleek wood cleat handcrafted with reclaimed beetle pine.

Imagine a page from one of our heirloom books enlarged to hang on your mom’s wall—a tribute worthy of your gratitude and love for her!

Production time: 2 weeks

Gift Certificate for a Book of Mom’s Stories

$1,500

Our One-Hour Heirloom book is the perfect fit for a Mother’s Day gift, and lets your mom know that you value her stories and want to preserve them!

The gist: We provide you with a beautiful gift certificate that promises to capture her stories via one 90-minute interview (conducted virtually or over the phone, or in person if preferred once we’re beyond social distancing restrictions). In addition to the story capturing session, we’ll guide you on gathering photographs and mementos for inclusion in the book.

Once edited and designed, your mother will be presented with a family heirloom unlike any other: a silk- or leather-covered book that showcases her memories beautifully.

A few ideas to focus on in a One-Hour Heirloom:

• Food Memories & Family Recipes

• Memories of Becoming a Mother: Anecdotes, Emotions & Wisdom

• The Most Meaningful Moments of my Life

• Memories of Growing Up in…

• Lessons from my Life

We can schedule your mother’s interview any time after Mother’s Day, but I would urge you not to wait: Sharing stories is healing, and helps seniors feel connected, which is even more necessary during this time of separation!

Giving your loved one the sacred space and platform to talk about their past is a priceless and timely gift.