In 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for a Mother’s Day proclamation in response to the Civil War. She saw this as a way to celebrate peace and motherhood. After his death, his daughter Anna took up the cause to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday. In 1908 he asked his church to celebrate the day and his request was honored so that on May 10, 1908 the first official celebration of Mother’s Day was held. She arranged for carnations to be given to each mother who attended, as this was her mother’s favorite flower. Interestingly, many companies still maintain this tradition. Today we celebrate this holiday by giving our Mother all kinds of gifts, from flowers to jewelry. Here is a list of some of my favorite gifts to give my mother.

Live plants are a great way to show how much you care. Better than cutting flowers, as with proper care they will live forever. The blooming type of plant is much more desirable than the leafy green type, as it will bring a bit of color to any room.

If your mom isn’t the plant type, why not a spa gift certificate? a great way to show her that you love her with a little pampering. She has also cared for you all her life and she deserves a little time for her. Pick a spa that is close to your home and maybe even join it for a special day. You can even make a day and surprise her with a healthy lunch.

Personalized gifts are also a great way to show your love. Personalized keychains that hold a picture are a great way for your mom to remember when you were little. Before giving this gift, have it engraved with a special message and be sure to include a photograph of a special memory. Keychains aren’t the only gift that can be personalized, a personalized compact makes a great gift for a mom and a great reminder of how beautiful she is.

There are many ways to show your mom that you love and appreciate everything she does for you. A gift doesn’t have to cost a fortune and it doesn’t have to be made of gold. It can be something as simple as making him dinner or making him a special card. Moms love that kind of thing.