Taking the Kids: Let's hear it for Moms

Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on May 6, 2021

Movie lovers would certainly like a subscription to a premium movie channel or PBS with its terrific offerings.

If she’s a spa goer, a gift certificate for her favorite spa would be a thoughtful gift. Alternatively, an IOU for a treatment the next time you are at a resort with a spa. (And they all have initiated wide-ranging COVID-19 Health and Safety initiatives.) There are lots of treatments for moms-to-be too!

Scottsdale is famous for its 50+ spas that have fitness activities. treatments inspired by the Sonoran Desert, private spa pools and cafes. How about aerial hammock yoga at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess or a Phoenix Rising Scrub & Massage to foster better sleep at the three-story Phoenician Spa.

For the tennis player, an IOU for a lesson, perhaps next time you are visiting a resort with a tennis center. Ditto for a golf lover.

How about a new water bottle in a pretty color — like those from YETI that come in Prickly Pear Pink and Seafoam blue, among other colors. If Mom is a baseball fan, customize with her team: Another idea is to personalize the bottle with stickers from favorite trips or one you hope to take. And if she’s always complaining her water bottle is too small, try a Hydrojug that holds a half-gallon. You can get a decorative sleeve with a strap.

Is the mom in your life a runner? Nathan has some great new gear, including the adjustable-fit Zipster belt that comfortably fits a phone and money.

If mom loves hiking, how about new women-specific hiking poles and a new pair of moisture-wicking hiking socks in a fun color. (You will find both at REI.) Another good bet: a shirt that not only wicks moisture but protects from the sun, like those from REI or Royal Robbins. I’m also a fan of active gear from Mountain Hardwear.

Foodie moms would love a travel-oriented cookbook with recipes from a place they’ve visited or would like to go — or a gift certificate for a future online cooking class from one of mom’s favorite places, including Italy and New Orleans from Cuiline (starting at $95, including home delivery of pre-measured ingredients sent in advance with a shopping list for fresh ingredients). La Buvette, by Camille Fourmont and Kate Leahy, for example is part cookbook and part insider guide to Paris; “Ripe Figs: Recipes and Stories from Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus” by Yasmin Khan is inspired by Khan’s travels through the region and the people she met.

Happy Mother’s Day!

========

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia, the 13th in the kid’s guide series, was published in 2020, with The Kid’s Guide to Camping coming in 2021.)