How to Make Your Mom or Mum Super Happy with 10 "What a great gift" Ideas

That's right. Mom's are people too. Despite popular beliefs, moms do have a life of their own. It might be an imaginary one, but it's a life none the less. It's a life that they cherish, a life they dream about, a life of excitement, a life of peace and quiet.

You may not want to think about it, but moms are more than just, well, moms. They love you to death, don't get me wrong, but before your mom had you, she was a hot gal with a future. But, only a part of that future was you. Life may be short, but it's a long one. Mom knew that in order to be a good mom, she had to make sacrifices, and she did. She also had to daydream. And when you were old enough, or when she could find a good sitter, or while you were sleeping, mom had... hobbies. Mom had... desires. Mom wanted... things.

When my friends and I get together, we talk about stuff like this. We talk about who we are, when we were, and that one day we will be. We start off depressed. We end up empowered, with picket signs that say, "MOM'S ARE PEOPLE TOO!"

In honor of my friends, I've compiled a list that I'm sure they would appreciate. Hopefully it will inspire you to think about your mom, who she is, what she gets into, what she wants to get into, and hopefully this year, she won't say, "You shouldn't have" or, "I would have been just as happy with a phone call." Cause quite frankly, we all know what that means.

Here's to you, Mom.

Suzie loves to pamper her pooch. With her kids off to college, this divorcee has been oooing and cooing over her special little girl. Nothing is too good for fifi. Fifi has a special collar and leash. She has some lovely toys. She has beautiful outfits, for winter. But what about spring? Some pretty dresses for baby Fifi would be just the thing. Or perhaps some pretty bows. Or a precious baby bed for the sitting room. Just remember nothing's too good, but that doesn't mean it has to cost you an arm and a leg. The Ritzy Rover is one of the best places to shop for pet items at affordable prices. They answer your calls and e-mails, they mail asap, and they offer gift certificates. Shopping is always a pleasure at The Ritzy Rover Pet Boutique. Suzie will love you for it! (And so will Fifi, of course.)

Tracey doesn't ask for much. She enjoys her life, and she enjoys bitching about it, immensely.

Just like everyone else, however, she does enjoy her "me" time, away from her boys, Matt, Brett, and her husband, Jim. This is what she requires:

1. $35 for a one hour manicure pedicure, complete with a relaxing foot soak, a good heel scraping,hand and foot massages, acrylic nails, bright colored nail polish, gems if she's feeling fancy,
2. $20 or so for bingo cards (she likes a 3-5 spread for better chances and a good challenge), and pull off tabs (if you can't win at bingo, you can always try your chances with these).
3. $5 dollars for a fountain drink, snacks, and a shot at a stuffed animal at the claw machine.

What she desperately needs is some more ink daubers (multi colored please) and perhaps a new bag for all her bingo supplies, including her good luck charm - a framed photo of Steven Tyler (a girl can dream, can't she?).

Jane's robe is old and grey, and not very cozy. As a matter of fact, it's not even hers, it's her husband's. It was a Father's day present. She borrows it.

Today, she wants to feel special. She wants a crisp, fresh, cozy, new, spa robe. And she wants it monogrammed. There will be no borrowing this bathrobe.

It's going to be hers. All hers. And so will the time she spends in it.

Jennifer just wants to go wild.

She loves music.

She listens to the radio, her mp3s, and cd's like, all the time.

When the kids are away, she turns the volume up way high.

She has her own dance routines.

She loves to dance.

She loves to sing.

She wants to feel like a hot sexy mama.

She wants front row seats.

She wants to throw her panties on stage, just once.

Yes, she has some backstage fantasies. Shhh.

I think concert tickets would make a fantastic gift! Be sure to buy two so she can take her girlfriend! Please don't forget a sexy pair of panties for her to throw. Oh, and a fiver for some beer and a disposable camera.

Sally wants her own Wii. Yes, she does. She wants to play

• tennis,
• golf,
• air guitar,
• yoga fitness,
• boxing,
• everything.

Kids aren't the only ones who want a wii.

And she wants one of her own. No sharing for this mom!

Claire wants a laptop. Of her very own. One she can take with her anywhere she wants to be.

She wants to shop online. She wants to surf the net. She wants to write on HubPages. But she's tired of being stuck in one spot at a desktop that everyone fights over or does homework on. She doesn't want to have to share.

She longs to lay out on the loungchair, typing away in nature.

She wants to cozy up on her favorite chair with her favorite drink and tap her ideas into her very own laptop. And wouldn't it be lovely to lay in bed, writing away?

She's been taking photos with her digital camera and she wants to download those and make movies.

Claire's also been working on a novel that no one knows about. She wants to keep it safe, sound, and accessible. She wants to be able to work on it anywhere she feels inspired. So she doesn't want to have to share or hand over inspiration times.

Yes, a laptop is the way to go if you're trying to really please Claire.

The best gift you could give to Sonja is a donation to favorite charity in her name. She's taken care of her children, and now she's ready to take care of the rest of the world.

Some ideas are:

Breast Cancer Society

Humane Society (or other animal shelter)

Shriner's Hospital

Environmental issues

Political activism

Animal rights

Woman's issues

She's probably talked about charities and organizations that she stands for, so start there. It's probably easy to get her talking about the subject.

Check out this link from The Nature Concervatory for top 3 green gift ideas for Mother's Day, gifts that Mom will love and will help Mother Nature too!

Who doesn't?!

All joking aside, Lynn really could use a wonderful one to two hour massage. She has 5 children ages 2-15 and she has been taking care of her elderly father for two years now. She is on call 24/7, and life never seems to let up. How she does it, I'll never know. But I do know she could use a great day at the spa, with no worries.

Here are some of the types of massages you can probably choose from. Click on the links for detailed information, so that you can make the best choice for Lynn. Each link will open in a new window:

• Trigger Point
• Swedish
• Deep Tissue
• Sports
• Reflexology
• Cranial Sacral
• my personal favorite: Hot Stone Envy

Most massage therapy spas offer gift certificates as well as gift memberships. You will want to make sure you understand the rules, for example:

• can the receiver of the certificate, or membership, upgrade or exchange their gift for other gifts or services.
• Do they have to be used by a certain date.
• How far in advanced do appointments need to be made.
• Can an appointment be rescheduled without penalty. Etc.

Lynn is going to be so happy she's going to start crying. She may tell you that you shouldn't have. She'll even make excuses as to why she can't go. So keep track of her. Make sure you set it all up. Get a sitter or take over for her while she gets some well deserved five star treatment.

Need I say more. Diane can't get enough of books. She loves them. She wants to live in a book store. Her bed would go there. Her desk would go there. She'd entertain over here.... You know where to find her when she goes missing, so pop in one day and grab a gift certificate.

However, I wouldn't offer to follow her around carrying her book basket unless you've been working out.

A weekend with the grandkids would suit her just fine.

Yes, grandmothers are mom's too and Bernice is a grandmother that just can't get enough of her grandbabies. She'd love some one on one time with them while you go do your own thing and enjoy yourself for a change.

I'd take her up on her offer before she changes her mind. Besides, children could always use some time with grandma; makes for good memories. Some time away from you, and you away from them, isn't such a bad idea either.

Hope you enjoyed. Now go do something about these presents!