Top 10 Mother's Day gifts to surprise your mom

Don't settle for pictures of the grand kids or everyday flowers - really wow mom this year!

Are you tired of giving your mother the same old Mother's Day gifts? How many more pictures does mom really need? Perhaps it's time to stop ordering the same old flowers and move on to something a little more exciting.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Moms are not only women who happened to give birth to us - they're cherished women in our lives who helped raise us to be the people we are today.

They've been patient with our temper tantrums, cleaned poopy diapers, stood by our sides when we faced the world and moms tend to be our pillars of strength - so how can we show her how much she truly  means to us?

Let's face it. Nothing we can purchase will ever hold a candle to the deep love and respect we have for our mothers but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try!

Here are ten out-of-the-box Mother's Day gift ideas to inspire you to make mom's day the best she's ever had:

Time

Maybe you live across the country from dear old mom, or maybe you live down the hall. Either way, it isn't often mom gets all of our attention for more than a few minutes a day.

An excellent Mother's Day gift idea is to clear your schedule and show up at her place. Announce the day is hers to enjoy and ask what she wants to do.

Mom might say she wants something modest like a lunch downtown or a quick trip to the mall for a shirt she's had her eye on, or she may surprise you and say she wants you to make her breakfast, then clean the dishes, then mow the lawn, then take her to a movie, then treat her to lunch, then window shop at the mall, so on and so forth.

The point is commit.

Whether mom wants a fancy meal or to switch places with you for a day, simply smile, let her know you're here for her, and let her decide how the day is spent - within reason.

Personalize

Every mom is different so why gift the same old cards and flowers?

If your mom likes to dance, enroll her in a 4-week class. If she's always wanted to go somewhere, take her!

Most moms love to try new things. With a little research, you can uncover fun activities in your home town. Take good ol' mom out to an underground cooking demo that requires audience participation. Treat her to a city theater performance or a meal at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

No matter what interests your mother has, your city - or a nearby city - will have something fun and unexpected to offer.

A pot

Sounds boring, right?

Wrong!

You can purchase a self-watering trough planter or personalized flower pot and all you have to do is fill it with soil and plant her favorite flowers!

Rather than spending $80 on a beautiful bouquet that will die within the week, a living plant will provide mom with a beautiful reminder of how you feel all year round!

Living flowers are longer-lasting gifts that brighten any living space - and a self-watering planter or bulb will keep maintenance down to a minimum!

Bath Bombs

Whether your mother admits it or not, all women would appreciate a nice bath bomb.

They're all the rage these days - and for good reason.

Bath bombs release lovely aromas and oils. Some bath bombs contain flower petals, moisturizers, hold jewelry inside and more.

Who wouldn't love a nice hot bath with a relaxing aroma for their special day?

Just keep in mind - dermotologists warn against bath bombs containing linonene, linalool and alpha-isomethly ionone.

Side note: Refrain from getting mom a bath bomb with glitter. She doesn't need a glittery mess, unless she's planning on recreated "Twilight" afterward.

Thanks, Mom!

Want to take a different direction and be a little funny this Mother's Day?

Try these personalized wall hangings found at etsy.

There are also mugs, cards and T-shirts bearing the same message to dear ol' mom! After all, what greater gift can a mom receive after having you?

Catholic jewelry

Mom loves dressing up - so why not pair two of her passions?

God and jewelry.

Does mom love to pray the Rosary but they often break or have dulled with age? Try Catholic Online's Pink Swarovski Crystal Faceted Cube Sterling Bracelet.

Mom would love to wear a beautiful sterling silver Miraculous ring featuring the Virgin Mary or a beautiful cross pendant.

Whether she likes rings, necklaces, earrings or bracelets - Catholic Online has several options to choose from.

Blessings and prayer books

Mom loves the Lord, so why not get her some educational, prayer or Biblical materials?

Mom would love a gift basket of prayer cards, a book on the Lives of the Saints, a Prayer Book and a Blessed Trinity book.

Each of these gifts will speak to her heart and her soul.

They are the gifts that keep giving as she revisits them again and again. What better to get mom than a means for her to draw closer to God?

Rosaries

Catholic Online offers a free PDF of how to pray the Rosary. This is an excellent gift for mom if she is a new Catholic and wants to learn more.

For those moms who are already well-versed on the Rosary, other options include sterling silver rosary rings and Rosary Bracelets.

Mom would love a Peridot Swarovski Crystal Butterfly Rosary for Mother's Day! The beautiful green butterflies make the Rosary more personal and will remind mom of how much she is loved every time she uses it!

Rosaries are also available with birthstones.

Virgin Mary

Who can mom look up to more than the Mother of God?

Mom had to give birth to us, had to deal with all of our shenanigans growing up and may be continuing to do so! Give mom something she can find comfort in. Give mom the gift of the Virgin Mary.

There are illustrated books, plaques from Italy, keychains and beautiful gold medals available for mom.

Tea

Different teas are aromatic and delicious!

Mom can relax with a simple little Tea Drop in a glass of hot water. No flimsy packets for mom! She deserves to live the good life - so pick her up some tea from around the world, some flavorful sachets of tea, or you can even enroll in some fun online cooking classes to experience together while sipping on your new tea.

No matter what you choose to bless mom with this year, you are her child and she will love you regardless. Just remember - you only get one mom, so treat her right this year!

Thank you for reading our list. Check out our other lists on Top 10 mothers from the Bible, Top 12 Bible Verses for Mom, 5 tips for Catholics to stay positive, 4 things God wants for your life, 5 things Catholics should NEVER do in their marriage, Top 10 hilarious dog memes, 6 inspirational Bible verses to bring you God when life is falling apart, 8 thought-provoking Easter quotes to inspire, How to combat the 7 deadly sins, 3 beautiful Holy Islands you MUST visit soon, How people celebrate St. Patrick's Day around the world!, 10 important things to consider during Lent, The top 10 places Christians are persecuted, Classic movies every Catholic teen should watch, 5 New Year's resolutions all Catholics should aspire to, Christmas Trees Around the World, sex, lifting your spirits, dealing with anger, love, common misquotes, how to give, healing and 10 very interesting facts about the Catholic Church you probably didn't know.

---

The California Network is the Next Wave in delivery of information and entertainment on pop culture, social trends, lifestyle, entertainment, news, politics and economics. We are hyper-focused on one audience, YOU, the connected generation. JOIN US AS WE REDEFINE AND REVOLUTIONIZE THE EVER-CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE.