This is the month to honor the special woman in your life. The one who sacrificed for your benefit. The unsung heroine of the world ... Mom.

 

Breakfast in bed has been done. She's probably gotten her share of blouses or floral bouquets. This year you may want to do something different. But what will that be?

Consider these ideas to say thank you to your mother, stepmother, aunt, mentor, or any other woman you'd like to recognize this holiday.

 

Spa retreat: What woman doesn't enjoy a little pampering from time to time? Investigate the spas and salons in your area. Many full-service spas have treatments ranging from facials to hour-long body massages. They may even offer packages that enable you to group services together, allowing Mom to start her day with a relaxing massage and finish up with a new haircut and style.

 

Dream vacation: Is there a place Mom has always wanted to visit? Maybe finances were tight and she put her needs aside for a family trip instead? Giving back may mean giving her a special time away. Cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts offer a host of activities all for one price. This could be an option for gifters looking to book a vacation that does not require a lot of itinerary planning or coordination. Just make sure Mom has her passport or other necessary travel documents and you're set.

 

Catch a concert: You may or may not have the same taste in music as your mother, but surprising her with concert tickets can be an ideal way to show you care about her hobbies and interests. Many bands and singers that experienced their heyday when Mom was spinning her vinyl records or popping a tape in the cassette deck are still pumping out hits today. And chances are they're performing at venues around the country, too. Maybe she likes the adult-contemporary sounds of Michael Buble. Or she's a country gal interested in seeing Brad Paisley. Mom may love the hard rock of the 1980s, and scoring tickets to a Bon Jovi concert will knock her socks off.

 

On to the theater: Perhaps your mother would be interested in seeing a play or musical. You don't need to travel to Broadway these days to see top stars in the shows you love. Traveling troupes and even local venues host popular stage shows. If you want to seek out the bright lights of Broadway, shows Mom may enjoy include "Wicked," "Come Fly Away," the enduring "Phantom of the Opera," or "South Pacific." Just be sure to book early if you desire weekend tickets. They tend to go fast.

 

Girls' day out: Maybe Mom just desires spending a day out with her friends, other female companions or you. Give her a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant and allow her to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

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