Celebrate Mom with two of the most meaningful gifts (for $0.00)

What makes your mom special? Is it her infectious laughter or her unwavering support? Perhaps it’s the way she always knows just what to say to make you feel better. Whatever it is, your mom deserves to be celebrated and appreciated for all that she is, right?

Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, her birthday, or just because, there are two gifts that stand out as the most meaningful and personal (and they don't have to cost anything!).

The first gift is a love letter. Sitting down to put pen to paper and express all the things you love and appreciate about your mom is a gift that she will cherish for a lifetime.

The second gift is a list of all the reasons why you (and other family members and friends) love her. This is a way to highlight all the qualities that make her so special and to remind her of all the ways she has touched the lives of those around her. It’s a gift that will make her feel seen and appreciated, and will serve as a source of comfort and encouragement whenever she needs it.

(If your Mom has passed away, I’m so sorry, and I would still recommend either of these exercises to feel closer to her. I also wrote a blog post with ways to connect to a deceased loved one.)

Write a love letter to Mom

There are countless ways to express your love and appreciation for your mom, but there is one gift that will feel the most heartfelt: a love letter.

Letters are such a personal, unique, and memorable way of capturing loving thoughts and transferring them onto paper so your mom can read it again and again. This is exactly why I added a love letter listing to my shop where you can have your letter printed on beautiful handmade paper so it can become a keepsake to be cherished forever.

If you don’t want to spend any money, you could simply handwrite your love letter on a sheet of paper. There is no right or wrong way to write it. Just be genuine and heartfelt, and it will be perfect.

For my mom’s 65^th birthday this year, I wrote her this love letter.

4/19/2023

Dear Momma Bear,

The universe became a more joyful, loving, and beautiful place the day you were born. You have touched countless lives with your warmth and kindness and I hope you take a few moments today to acknowledge what a gift you are to this world.

You have this wonderful ability to make others feel safe and cared for. Do you know how rare and special that is? It never ceases to amaze me just how generous and selfless you are—from someone you don’t know experiencing homelessness to your own mother at the end of her life—you would never let someone lose their dignity on your watch.

You are the inspiration for everything I do. You have shown me what it means to be a compassionate human being and to spread love and light so others will feel appreciated and comforted. If someone ever says, “you are just like your mother,” it would be the highest compliment I could ever receive.

You are more than my mom; you are my very best friend. Your unwavering love and support have carried me through the most challenging and painful times in my life. And you’ve been there for the best times of my life too—from laying in comfy beds and watching movies in the Bahamas, to drinking champagne in the south of France, to riding horses in Aruba, to eating the most delicious food at a bed and breakfast in Maine… I’ll carry these memories and our never-ending laughter in my heart for the rest of my life. Thank you for every single thing you do to make my life so beautiful.

I hope on this special day, you feel all the love and appreciation you deserve. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we all feel so blessed to have you in our lives. Happy 65th birthday, Momma! Here's to many more years of love, laughter, and annoying the shit out of each other.

All my admiration,

Ali

Write a list of reasons Mom is loved

If you want to get a bunch of people involved in your gift, another idea is to make a list of all the reasons she’s loved. For my Mom’s 60^th birthday, I reached out to 60+ of her closest friends and family members to hear what they love most about her.

This is one of the most fun gifts I’ve ever made or given to someone. Hearing stories and reading the lines I received made me laugh and cry. It reminded me how special my mom is to so many people.

Once I gathered all of the reasons, I put them into a 16” x 20” template and titled it “60 Reasons Why We Love You.” I then had it printed at Staples and framed it. Here she is reading it (and it’s now hanging up in her bedroom!).

If you're on a budget, you could simply list all the reasons on a sheet of paper or in a small journal. It's the thought that counts.

Take some time to reflect on your favorite memories with your mom, the qualities you admire about her, and the things she has taught you over the years. Use these insights to write a love letter or a list of reasons why she is loved. And whether you present it to her in person or mail it as a surprise, know that you are giving her a gift that is truly one-of-a-kind and will mean the world to her.

With love,

Alison Rose

Social media: @alisonrosevintage

Shop: alisonrosevintage.com