Mother’s Day Home & Garden

Natalie Weinstein is President of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, The Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie, a quality consignment outlet. Hear Natalie’s design tips on WALK 97.5 FM, enjoy her Long Island Focus featured in House Magazine or call: 631.862.6198

Mother’s Day is the one designated day a year that folks are really thinking about “Mom”. The perfect gift selection seems to elude a good portion of the population. Then, many men feel only their mothers deserve acknowledgement, not their wives (what a missed opportunity to make brownie points with the gal they made a mom). 
    So here goes – suggestions for celebrating her special day from one humble interior designer:

•    Insert an IOU in her Mother’s Day card with any number of choices from planting that flower garden in the back yard or those colorful flowers on the front porch, to a garage, basement, or closet clean out that’s been long overdue. You might need the smelling salts, but when she recovers, you’ll definitely be on her good side.

•    In a survey of all the moms in my office, I discovered that most wanted the family to join together in starting and finishing a special home project (painting a room, building or installing a closet or cabinet, setting up a mud room, packing up basement toys to give away, etc.)

•    I also discovered that they wanted the family to be home – that’s right, HOME in one room together, no cell phones, no texting, no TV, no big restaurant event, just talking or playing a family game – in a room that was neat, clean, and organized (I know this one sounds impossible).

•    Another great gift that I have given and received is a gallery of family pictures framed and ready to go up on an appropriate wall. Instead of decorating with the big box stores’ version of “art”, family memories can be celebrated and revisited by all who enter and truly personalize a home.

•    “Mom” pillows and throws with her personal interest or sayings can bring a smile and also brighten a room at an affordable price. 

•    Are you up for giving Mom family brunch or dinner where everyone helps to prepare and clean up after?

•    What about taking on simple chores like cleaning your room, making your bed, doing your own laundry, emptying the dishwasher, clearing the table, taking out the trash (Ok – maybe they’re simple but not easy for your family – but giving Mom this breather for a short while might actually turn into really good habits all the time!)

•    And what about starting a family tree project? With all the great websites available and a little help from Mom, the gift of your own family history assembled and displayed in a lovely book can be a great gift for everyone and a treasured addition to your home. 

•    If Mom and Grandma live out of your area, scheduled chat or skype times (not just on Mother’s Day) are always appreciated. 

•    And last but not least – bring out that book filled with IOUs from past Mother’s Days. Maybe this year you’ll really surprise her and pay up!

    So treasure your mom and theirs. Appreciate the home they have made for you and their influence on the home you have or will create for your own family. That’s something we all take with us for the rest of our lives. Happy Mother’s Day!