This post was in partnership with Shoott but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"Mother’s Day is right around the corner and I’m just going to come out and say it: I deserve a really nice gift. And I think I speak for all mothers because motherhood is hard—perhaps the hardest yet most rewarding job on the planet. And while the snuggle of my toddler or “mama” from my baby is a reward in itself, a little something special is appreciated too.
But what do you actually ask for? Perhaps you have a partner who can read your mind or just knows the perfect thing you’ll love. For those of you in those partnerships, I’m happy for you. I really am. But my husband and I aren’t huge gift givers, and though we are both thoughtful and creative, after 10+ years of being together, our gift-giving ideas can get a little stale.
I’m not afraid to ask for what I want, but sometimes, I truly have no idea what to ask for. I’ve already received an adorable “mama” necklace as well as traditional flowers, chocolates, homemade meals, and the like. This year, though, I’m trying to think outside the box when brainstorming Mother’s Day gifts.
If you’re like me and you want something special and different but can’t quite put your finger on it, here are some ideas to get you excited to celebrate you this Mother’s Day.
1. A Professional Photoshoot for You and Your Kids
You know that meme, “raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by the pictures your husband takes of you?” Well, that’s me. I’ll admit that I’ve gotten in a few fights with my husband when I want a really adorable, not overly staged yet Instagram-worthy photo with my kids and it doesn’t happen. And far too often, I’m the one snapping away to capture the perfect photos of my family—which also means I’m not in them.
Moms deserve to have special photos with their children and this might mean scheduling and booking a professional to get the job done. This is the perfect gift to ask for this Mother’s Day. And I have a secret to share: Finding a photographer and booking your session is really simple with the help of Shoott. And we’re giving away four, 30-minute Shoott photo shoots below—keep scrolling for the details!
What is Shoott?
Shoott is a service offering free, 30-minute photo sessions with a professional photographer. After your session, you’ll receive a digital gallery of 40+ photos, and then you only pay for the photos you love. You read that right: You don’t have to pay for the sitting fee.
Source: Shoott
How does it work?
With photographers available in over 60 cities nationwide, booking a Shoott session is easy:
- Choose your date/location
- Enjoy a customized 30-minute photoshoot
- Only pay for the photos you want
Why I loved it
As someone who has booked family photoshoots in the past, there is always the element of worry and anxiety going into the session, like what if my toddler is throwing a tantrum and I’ve wasted hundreds of dollars? Shoott’s free photoshoot eliminates that worry.
I’ve used Shoott in the past, and just knowing I am not on the line for several hundred dollars takes the pressure off. If mom is feeling less stressed, this trickles down to other family members and the photos turn out just that much better. Seriously.
What’s extra special about Shoott is that they truly do all the work. They offer slots every weekend from 9 a.m. until sunset in hand-selected locations (meaning you don’t have to worry about the logistics of finding the perfect spot). All you need to do is show up with your family, and the photographer will meet you there and snap your photos. The only thing you need to worry about is getting your family dressed, out the door, and ready to smile.
2. A Closet Refresh
Motherhood often means a change in our bodies and our lifestyle. If you’re in need of a closet refresh, ask for it for Mother’s Day! Consider booking a personal stylist who can advise you in person or virtually. Many offer closet cleanses, styling consultations to help you identify your personal style, guidance to help you create a capsule collection, and more. Even reader-favorite retailers like Nordstrom offer in-person or virtual style sessions you can book online.
3. A Week of Delicious Lunches (That You Don’t Have to Cook)
As hard as I try, my lunch sometimes consists of the sandwich crusts my daughter doesn’t want—sad but true. When I think back to my pre-kid life, I fondly remember walking out of my New York City office and spending money on an overpriced salad. Ah, the good old days.
While my work-from-home setup is far from my NYC 20-something life, I do truly miss those salads! A lovely gift for myself and fellow moms is a food delivery of delicious lunches that you don’t have to prepare. My personal pick for this comes from Farmer’s Fridge for fresh salads and wraps.
Source: ColorJoy Stock
4. A Solo Staycation
I love my family, and family vacations (or “trips with kids,” as they are more accurately known) are lovely. But how amazing does a night in a hotel alone sound? The dream, right? A night at a local hotel won’t break the bank but will give you some solo time to recharge. It will likely allow you to come back to your family well-rested with renewed energy and patience. Even if it’s just one night, it will do wonders for you.
Some mothers joke that all they want for Mother’s Day is to be left alone. I personally want to spend the special day with my kids. However, the weekend following Mother’s Day sounds like a great time to be alone. It’s not so far away that you’ll forget about it and push it off but you’ll still get to spend actual Mother’s Day with your family.
Don’t care for the idea of being alone? Ask your best mom friend to join you. Since you won’t have to deal with the logistics of traveling far, consider booking through Hotel Tonight to grab last-minute deals.
5. A Foodie Experience From Home
If a trip (with or without your family) isn’t in the stars right now, make your home feel like an adventure with a unique meal experience. Consider whether there’s a city on your wish list you’d love to visit or a spot you visited years ago and want to return to. There are little ways to bring this experience home. Check out companies like Seabear (offering flavors of the Pacific Northwest), The Lobster Guy (for lobster and seafood dinners direct from Maine), or Goldbelly, which offers everything from New York bagels to Chicago deep dish pizza and beyond.
To all the moms out there: I hope you get to celebrate and enjoy this special day. You deserve it!
This post was in partnership with Shoott but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.