5 stand-out Mother’s Day gift ideas

From laundry to dishes—an IOU ticket to take care of the chores she would usually handle will give Mom an opportunity to take more time for herself to read a book or go out with friends.
■ Statepoint
Need a Mother’s Day gift that truly shines? Take these fun and practical ideas into consideration.
1. A clean house. Let Mom take a load off now and again. Hire a cleaning service once a month for a year, or if you’re on a budget, do it yourself. From laundry to dishes—an IOU ticket to take care of the chores she would usually handle will give Mom an opportunity to take more time for herself to read a book or go out with friends.
2. A classic accessory. If you’re looking for something classic, give Mom an accessory that combines function and fashion, such as the Vintage Collection timepieces from Casio. Offered in a range of styles that complement fashion palates from simple and classic to retro glam, each timepiece comes equipped with an LED-lit display face, a countdown timer and a 1/10th second stopwatch. They also feature a daily alarm, hourly time signal and an auto-calendar, making them a necessity for anyone looking for fashion flare that keeps her organized, on-time and up-to-date with appointments.
3. Some rest and relaxation. Send Mom for a spa day, where she can select the treatments and services she wants best. Or, help her to create a spa-like environment at home, with face masks, a foot spa and bath bombs for the tub.
4. A hobby. Has Mom always wanted to learn to play piano? Consider gifting portable technology to help her achieve this dream. One modestly priced option is Casio’s CT-X700 portable keyboard, which features a rich sound with a powerful AiX Sound Service. Designed for casual players and beginners, it has a Lesson System that displays the proper fingering and notation, helping you learn its library of 100 built-in songs, as well as a six-track recorder.
5. Time together. Spend some quality time with Mom. Take a cooking class or comedy workshop together, or look for sip and paint options, where you learn painting skills while enjoying a glass of wine or beer. Local cafes and bars often host such events; however, you may want to check out the community center or community college for class options, too.