Time to Celebrate Moms

After 9 months of morning sickness, swollen fingers, and bizarre food cravings, followed by 42 hours of labor without the assistance of drugs, your mom gave one final push to get you the hell out of her. She gave you life. And how did you repay her? By keeping her awake through the night with your incessant crying, making her change diaper after diaper, forcing her to chase you around the mall during your terrible-twos phase, begging her to buy you twenty new outfits for your first day of middle school, screaming at her over school and friends, resenting her for giving you an early curfew or forbidding you to get a tattoo, and leaving her behind as you jetted off to college. Ok, that's a little dramatic. But the truth is, our moms have been there for us through it all, and no matter how we treat them, they still love us unconditionally. And if you weren't already aware of it, Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 9. So what will you do to show your mom how much you appreciate everything she did for you?

How about a vacation? Now, I don't celebrate Mother's Day because my mom doesn't believe in it. But if she did, I think of all the gifts I could get her, she would enjoy a trip more than anything. So I went searching for some Mother's Day travel deals, and I found some pretty good ideas.

For mothers with smaller children, a fun vacation to Disney World will fit the bill. Right now the Flower and Garden Festival is going on, with fresh buds blooming every day. Not only that, but a Mother's Day Brunch is being offered at Epcot in the Living Seas Salon. It's kid friendly and mother approved--wow, how cheesy was that? For another fun vacation idea, Mohonk Mountain House 90 miles north of NYC. The Victorian-style castle sits lakeside, with thousands of acres for guests to enjoy. Moms stay free in the month of May, including 3 meals, activities, and afternoon tea and cookies.

On her special day, mom deserves a little R & R. And what mother doesn't love a trip to the spa? Mexico is the perfect place to get in some serious spa time. Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta offers a luxury spa package that includes sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries, a 50-minute massage, and a 4-course dinner on the beach. The Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya has the Mayan Majesty Spa Package, which includes a daily breakfast buffet, $119 spa credit, and one complimentary visit to the spa for one day. To celebrate the mother-to-be in your life--and a lot of my friends are gonna be at this point soon--why not give her the "babymoon" package from Westin Resort & Spas in Los Cabos. The package includes chocolate-covered strawberries, sparkling cider, daily breakfast in bed, and in-room movie and dessert delivered every night. What a way to prepare her for the rest of her life as a mom.

There is a sacred bond between mother and daughter, so why not celebrate that with a mother/daughter trip. the Ixtapan Spa Hotel & Golf Resort has the mother/daughter spa classic package, including all meals, organic spa treatments, fitness and yoga classes, golf and tennis lessons, and early morning guided walking tours. This is a trip I would definitely book for my mom, except she isn't the biggest fan of Mexico. So better opt for some retail therapy. Head to NYC for a mother/daughter shopping trip. But instead of having her buy everything for you, spoil her by taking her to dinner at a nice restaurant, or buying her that gorgeous outfit she would never buy for herself. (Of course this is only do-able if you have the means, which hopefully someday I will.) 

These are just some ideas, but try looking into airline deals and travel websites for special Mother's Day offers. I'm sure you'll find something that suites your mother perfectly. After all, you do owe her one.