| We've selected these 10 household gift ideas for mom | | | | out plants, take them home and plant them. If mom isn't |
| with the premise, "it's the thought that counts". These | | | | big on gardens, offer to hang some hanging planters or |
| gifts won't cost you anything, but a little of your time. | | | | fill some containers. |
| Mom will get some jobs done around the house, and | | | | 5. Handy Man Certificate: Now is the time to get after |
| have a chance to enjoy some much needed quality | | | | those little fix it jobs that have been building up all |
| time with her family. | | | | winter. Ease mom's troubled mind by repairing the |
| All of these can be modified depending on whether | | | | leaky faucet, squeaky door, cleaning the furnace filter, |
| mom lives in a house or apartment, and are to be | | | | or even hanging pictures. Be prepared, what may look |
| given in the form of a gift certificate. Hang on to this | | | | like a couple jobs, may turn into a long list. Just keep |
| list, there are enough ideas for 10 years of Mother's | | | | thinking about how happy mom will be when you're |
| Day gifts. | | | | done/ |
| 1. Yard Work Certificate: Spring has sprung and mom | | | | 6. Gutter Maintenance Certificate: Get rid of those |
| probably hasn't gotten around to cleaning up the yard. | | | | streaming waterfalls that occur every time it rains and |
| Spend the day raking leaves, fertilizing and mowing the | | | | clean out mom's gutters and downspouts. Once |
| lawn, pruning trees, tidying up garbage, and pressure | | | | cleared, rinse to flush out any remaining debris. |
| wash the sidewalk and deck. Next haul out the lawn | | | | 7. Window Washing Certificate: Get a squeegee, a |
| furniture, clean it up and you and mom sit back and | | | | sponge and a bucket of hot water with vinegar and |
| enjoy a tall, cool drink. | | | | give mom's windows, sills and screens a good cleaning, |
| 2. Spring Cleaning Certificate: It's time to give the inside | | | | inside and out. |
| of the house a good spring cleaning. This means | | | | 8. Appliance Pick-Me-Up Certificate: Breath some life |
| turning over the mattresses, cleaning curtains, light | | | | into those old appliances by doing some basic |
| fixtures, and removing clutter. Dust the walls and | | | | maintenance and cleaning. Defrost fridge and freezer, |
| ceilings, and spot clean door knobs, switch plates air | | | | check appliances for wear and tear, and clean the |
| vents, pictures or anything else that stands out. | | | | oven. Pull out the fridge and vacuum behind and in the |
| 3. Closet Certificate: It's time to help mom clean out her | | | | front grille. Run vinegar through the dishwasher and |
| closets. Have a bag for garbage and another for | | | | coffee maker and rinse. |
| items slated for a garage sale or donation. Remove | | | | 9. Painting Certificate: If mom has a room or two she |
| and store away anything that screams "winter", and | | | | wants painted, now is her chance. Even if there are no |
| bring out the warm weather items and accessories. If | | | | large jobs, you can always freshen up the paint on the |
| she's anything like my mom, you'll find stuff from | | | | doors and trim, touch up any scratches and paint the |
| decades ago and the two of you will spend more time | | | | front door. |
| reminiscing than cleaning. | | | | 10. Deck Certificate: This could mean a complete |
| 4. Garden Certificate: Clean out mom's gardens, weed | | | | pressure washing and cleaning of the deck and lawn |
| and rototill if necessary. Empty out any containers or | | | | furniture, or a re-staining job. Either way, mom will love |
| hanging planters that may still be full from last season. | | | | sitting out on her nice, clean deck when the work is all |
| Next, the two of you drive to the local nursery to pick | | | | done. |