Mother’s Day Gifts to Ask For Now

If you are like me, Mother’s Day gifts are the last things on your mind right now.  After all, we just finished Easter, we’re in the middle of school testing, and we’re starting to plan for summer camps and vacations.  But ladies, the best gifts for Mother’s Day take some planning – because they are personalized.   So pass this post on to your significant other and let them know they should get clicking now to meet the Mother’s Day gift ordering deadlines.

1)  Photo Jewelry

Diamonds?  Pearls?  Pandora bracelets?  While I would never argue about getting such an expensive gift, what I really want is a piece of photo jewelry.  None of us have enough ways to show off the most important people in our lives – our family.  And I personally love all the different styles that are coming out that give you even more options for showcasing great photos of your beautiful children.

Clay tile photo jewelry:

Lockitz (http://www.lockitz.com) – The clay tile photo  tile jewelry created by the two women behind Lockitz is truly beautiful.  I have a friend who has one of these pieces (the Harper Page, which is shown here; runs around $125 but call for prices) and it is stunning.  It also garners many compliments any time she wears it.  There are several other styles on their site, so browse around.  They like to offer individual attention and even suggest you call them to order so they can better understand exactly how you want your piece to look.  Talk about customer service!

Another great option to consider for clay tile photo jewelry is Elemental Memories (http://www.em-jewelry.com/).  She has several different options you can select from online, generally around $100.  Order deadlines for Mother’s Day 2010 are April 23 for normal shipping and April 30 for rush.

Photo Charm Jewelry:

For a more bargain alternative to clay tile photo jewelry, several companies online offer simple photo charms.  Instead of a photo tile where the picture is adhered to a wood tile, they appear to use “charms” where the picture is slid between glass.   Kimbra Studios (http://www.kimbrastudios.com) has many design options and is getting a lot of great press about their products.  Their prices are lower, too; you can get a necklace with pendant charm plus chain for $80 and up.

2)  Custom Photo Purse or Bag

Who needs Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, or Hermes when you can slap a picture of your own beautiful children on a bag and tote it around town?  I’ll take Jack, Luke, and Kate over an expensive handbag any day.

My go-to company here is Gina Alexander (http://www.ginaalexander.com/).  Every photo handbag is handmade and they are high quality.  You can read about mine (and see it!) in a post I did a few weeks ago, called My 5 Compliments a Day Purse.  Unfortunately, her Mother’s Day 2010 deadline for ordering has already passed….but there’s always Christmas!  (Or your birthday or anniversary!)

There is another alternative that a photographer friend tipped me off to, called Bagettes (http://www.photogiftsbybagettes.com/).  She was carrying their very cute “hipster” bag the day I saw her ($40 online, shown above), which is a mini-shoulder purse.  Prices are generally lower than Gina Alexander, and a few items are still available to order for Mother’s Day 2010 through April 15.  Check the website for the full line up and order deadlines.

3)  Sterling Silver Stamped Jewelry

A friend of mine (a mother of 3 kids) has a triple band stamped ring that always used to make me envious.  Until I got my own!  Now, I wear my Jack, Luke, and Kate ring everyday with pride.  My husband ordered it from Nelle & Lizzy (website: www.nelleandlizzy.com), which is also where my friend got hers (Triple Band rings are $98 online).  It came in a cute box with a ribbon, stuffed with lavendar seeds.  How nice!!

Their line up of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and charms are, as they describe it, “understated yet meaningful.”  I love them.  Order deadlines for Mother’s Day 2010 is April 29th  with no rush charges.

4)  Personalized stationary

Even in this age of email, Facebook, iPhones, blackberries, and online social networking, nothing is nicer than getting a hand-written note from someone you care about.  As someone who writes (a lot), I am a sucker for personalized stationary, even though the majority of my writing is on the web or email.  (I aspire to spend more time on handwritten notes – really!!) But as a Mom on a budget, I don’t splurge on this as often as I’d like for myself, so these products are always a great gift for me.  My favorite source is Expressionery.com (http://www.expressionery.com).

Some of my favorite products that they carry are the customized stamps (PSA Essentials, $45), Paper People by Laura Kelly designs (folded card image show – $31 for 25 cards), and various personalized note cards, memo sheets, etc.  Right now through May 31, Expressionery.com is offering 40% off their entire site with the code:  MOM2010.  This is a dangerous for stationary junkies like me, and I can’t wait to take a few moments to browse the site for some deals!!