Every year around Mother's Day I am reminded of the hassle my siblings and I used to give my mother. Although unintentional, we were a rowdy bunch. How could we be anything but wild and rambunctious? With six of us, I'm sure my mother had her hands full. There were days when she couldn't get our names right, and I suspect we were the cause of every grey hair on her head.

I am also reminded of the gifts we used to give her on Mother's day. We didn't have much money - at lease we kids didn't. We weren't poor, but money was something we had to earn on our own. So, as a result of lack of funds, we had to improvise on our gifts to our mother.

The ever-popular gift in my family was the coupon booklet. This never went out of style, and our mother must have received at least four of them each Mother's Day. With our creative thinking caps on, we would create coupons that mom could redeem at any time of the year. Such coupons consisted of chores we promised to do at her request, specified quiet time, and the every day expectations of children. We thought these coupons were a real treat to mom. Looking back, the coupons consisted of what is naturally expected of children. What did we know?

Now that I am grown, these memories really do tug at my heart. Do kids do the coupon booklets any more? Or are they caught-up in the ever evolving material world of gift giving? I guess the outcome of Mother's Day depends on many circumstances. We all know moms are unselfish and when asked what they want for Mother's Day, the reply is "nothing", or "a nice quiet day..." But this is her special day, and a special person deserves a little something from the heart.

After speaking with several moms, I compiled a list of Mother's Day gift ideas for the child asking him or herself "what do I give mom for Mother's Day?". Not only is this list for children, but husband's of moms-to-be can find inspiration here too.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas:

1. Don't forget about the coupon booklet!
2. Buy mom a journal so she can write down her thoughts, ideas, and memories.
3. Women love handbags. Why not get her a special Animal Print Handbag?
4. Hire a cleaning service or cook for one week of service. I know this is something I would love.
5. Give mom a memory book. Create a scrapbook of her children's first haircuts, photos of the first day of school, a hand written article of how she and dad met...
6. Women love flowers, but how about a complete pre-planned flower garden - with little work required of her?
7. Does mom need a new computer? Laptops are very inexpensive these days.
8. Is mom considering going back to school for a better career? Help her with her education choice
9. What mom would't enjoy a day at a spa?
10. Give mom a gift card to her favorite store.
11. A gift basket under $50.00 for the budget-minded child...as I was.
12. Give mom a day at the beauty salon: Haircut, eyebrow waxing...two often over-looked luxuries.
13. Does your mom love gourmet coffee or tea?
14. Slippers and Pajamas...my mom always seemed to need these items.
15. Does your mom need new make-up, nail polish or perfume?
16. How about new bed linens...you know, the ones that are very comfy and cozy so she can sleep better.
17. How about a new cell phone?
18. For the moms-to-be, how about a diaper bag that doesn't look like a diaper bag?
19. Does mom need transportation to and from appointments? Why not be her personal chauffer?
20. Give mom the best gift of all: be yourself, be considerate, be the best person you can be. Mom will truly appreciate this gift and she will know she did right with you.