Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Ok children- young and grown - only one day until Mom's big day.

Time to start thinking about what to buy THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE for Mother's Day.

And husbands, she may not be YOUR mother, but she's the mother of your children, which requires your direct participation in this gift-giving venture.

Statistically, 65 percent of Mother's Day shoppers buy for their mom or stepmom; 22.4 percent buy for their wife; 10.5 percent buy for their daughter; 8.2 percent  for grandma; 8.4 percent for sister; 7.6 percent for a friend; and 2.1 percent for godmothers. Yes, I know, the numbers don't add up - there most be some overlapping.

If you watched "The Middle" on ABC-7 this week, you know poor Frankie got stuck with a pair of bright yellow jeans adorned with orange flowers because her husband and three children did not pick up on the obvious clues - err, direct requests - of what she wanted.

Let's get down to business. Here are some ideas. You don't have to wait until late Saturday to start shopping, either. Keep in mind Father's Day is right around the corner-  so dads if you expect any type of royal treatment on your day, you better get Mom's day right!

Eat out...

...so Mom doesn't have to shop, cook and clean:

• Check out the Crystal Lake-Cary Patch directory for local restaurant ideas and options

Get out...

...to a movie, park, or ice cream: 

• Regal Showplace 16 in Crystal Lake.

• McHenry County Conservation District: Go for a long hike with mom at an area conservation site. 

• Three Oaks Recreation Area: Hop on the Prairie Trail and swing by the Three Oaks Recreation Area. You can rent a kayak, sailboat, rowboat and even do a little fishing- if mom's into that.

• Swing by an area yogurt or ice cream shop, such as The Freeze, Yumz, Baskin Robbins, KaleidoScoops and Colonial Cafe in Crystal Lake.

• Buy a night out on the town. Take mom to the Raue Center for the Arts for a show.

Flowers reign:

If you have a gardener for a mom/ wife, you know she's going to be dropping a lot of green on geraniums, impatiens, pentunias, tomatos, peppers, etc. anyway.

Buying a gardening mom flowers - or better yet a gift card so mom can select them herself - is like giving candy to a baby. It's like fertilizer to dandelions, coffee to decaf drinkers. You know what I mean....here's where to go:

• 8109 S. Route 31, Cary/ Crystal Lake.
• 5301 E. Route 176, Crystal Lake
• 7645 Route 14, Crystal Lake.
• Jewel Osco in Crystal Lake, 6140 Route 14, or Cary, 696 Route 14, always brings in a good selection of flowers priced right for spring.  

Buy bling, fun or chic:

Small boutiques and shops offer unique items that will make anyone feel special. Here are some ideas: 

• Dalzell Jeweler's in Crystal Lake
• Nelson's Jewelers in Crystal Lake
• Out of the Box in Crystal Lake
• Crystal Lake.
• Downtown Crystal Lake listing of stores.