Mother’s Day is coming up, and we all know how important it is to show our moms some love on their special day. Unfortunately, not everyone can be with their mom in person. Luckily, technology has made it easier than ever to stay in touch with loved ones, no matter where they are in the world. In this article, we will discuss several ways to stay connected with your mother on Mother’s Day, whether you’re celebrating in person or from a distance.
Whether it’s a virtual game night, a celebratory FaceTime, or sending Mom special family memories, here are 14 ways you can express your gratitude and love this Mother’s Day.
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1. FaceTime Mom
It may sound simple, but FaceTime is one of the best and most efficient ways to replicate Mother’s Day celebrations of yesteryear. To make your FaceTime extra special, surprise mom with some balloons in the background of your screen, or — even better — send her a cake or cookies from a local bakery, then FaceTime her once they’ve arrived. You can even bake mom’s favorite pie and leave it out on her front porch if you live close enough. Set up your laptop, get your webcam setup ready, and spend the day with mom, virtually.
2. Recreate Family Memories
Break out the family albums and put together a slideshow or a photo book for mom that highlights all of the major family memories through the years. Better yet, recreate some childhood photos right at home and bring on the hilarity. Share the slideshow or book with mom over video chat for the real-time reactions.
3. Relive Old Vacations
For travel-loving moms, schedule a time to focus on favorite family trips. Gather photos from your top vacations (bonus points if you have to scan old images onto your computer), then throw them in a slideshow and share with mom. You can talk about each memory together, reliving the magic of family travel — while inevitably plotting adventures for the future. Then program it all into a digital photo frame that mom can display to watch all of your favorite memories.
4. Schedule a Virtual Family Photoshoot
You can reach out to your favorite photographer — or one you’ve used before for special family moments — and ask to schedule a photoshoot! If family members live far away, ask if the photographer can do a virtual shoot. If they can, have everyone get ready in their respective homes, and get their portrait taken. You’ll have a new special “family portrait” for the next holiday card.
5. Take a Cooking Class
If you and mom bond in the kitchen, surprise her with a ooking class. These one-on-one or group Zoom cooking classes are sprouting up left and right to help chefs retain work while teaching others their favorite recipes. The Happy Cook offers a variety of live May classes. Or, you and your family can all chip in and buy a private cooking class through The Happy Cook for your mother (up to 30 Zoom accounts are allowed to join).
6. Take a Yoga Class
To help mom kick off the day right, gear her up with a new smart watch, and sign up for a yoga class. Try a service like Yogaia with your mom using free trial passes. You can take the class together then, if Mom likes it, sign her up for a monthly membership as her Mother’s Day gift. If you’d rather go the one-off class route, local studios nationwide are offering live-streamed classes on Zoom or Instagram Live, as well.
7. Schedule a Live Game Night
You, your mom, and up to six other people can use the Houseparty app to host a virtual game night. Game options on Houseparty include Chips and Guac (similar to Apples to Apples) and trivia. This interactive system lets you see everyone you’re playing with, which makes the experience extra special for mom. If these games aren’t up your mom’s alley, try the virtual adaptation of classic board game Ticket to Ride, or get creative with a Zoom or Google Hangouts version of charades. Just split your attendants in teams, use this prompt generator, and institute the honor system for text cheating.
8. Transform Photo Prints into Wall Art
It’s nice to keep family photos in albums, but it is even nicer to have them on display. Choose the most emotional, funny, or memorable family photogs and transform them into wall art. If you want to update the photo yearly, choose a versatile and affordable paper or canvas substrate and a frame that matches mom’s house. But if you want something that will stand the test of time, choose a durable metal or glass substrate and a neutral frame. Wall art is a constant reminder of family bonds. Each time one looks at it, a wave of warmth, love, and joy will flow.
9. Throw a Surprise Party and Film It
Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to surprise Mom with a party. It may be an online or in-person party. Nevertheless, film it and share the video with your family. Mom can watch the video whenever she wants, and you can discuss it and have fun long after Mother’s Day is over. Although a professional camera is nice to have, you can also film the party with a smartphone or tablet. Improvisations, mistakes, and inherent impediments are part of the fun. Invite each person to leave a message for Mom, wishing her a great day their way.
10. Create a Family Group on Social Media
A great way to stay connected with your mom is to create and use a family group on your preferred social media. Instead of having one-on-one conversations, you can have family meetings and discuss the same topics. All she needs is a smartphone, tablet, or laptop and an internet connection. A family group increases the chances of someone seeing and answering a message, which is a great way to stay in touch. It is a multigenerational space where everyone can contribute with photos and videos, fun stuff, or information. Not only that, you keep your mom close to you and up to date with your life, but you can also respond faster to her more practical needs.
11. Support Her Hobbies
If you want to give your mom a gift on Mother’s Day, buy something that supports her hobbies. Consider objects and services as well. For example, you may want to buy her an app that recognizes birds or plants, concert tickets, classes or workshops, a bookstore or library subscription, photo gear, dance classes or shoes, or anything that helps her pursue her passions. Mom’s hobbies are an endless discussion topic, a source of energy and joy, and a way of maintaining her body and mind in shape. They allow you to connect at a different level than the parent-child one and become friends.
12. Share Photo Storage
You always send photos to your mom, whether they are from your travels, of your kids, or snapshots from your everyday life. Why not share photo storage and allow your mom to see your photos as soon as you upload them? She can follow your trips, watch over her grandchildren, and be an active part of your life regardless of the physical distance between you. In return, she can upload her own photos, keeping you updated with her gardening progress, what Dad’s been up to, what she cooks these days, and so on. And with photos being automatically stored in the cloud, having shared photo storage isn’t difficult at all.
13. Send Voice Mail Instead of Texts
Most mothers appreciate messages of all sorts — from standard mail to emails to chats to SMSs. Any word coming from their children is a joy. But voice mail lets them hear your voice, feel your emotion, and read between the words. It’s a better way of staying connected and sometimes an easier one. All you have to do to record your message is press a button. You can do it while cooking, working, or driving. Mom doesn’t need her glasses to read the message. It’s like being in the same room and talking to each other.
14. Share a Streaming Service and Watch the Same Movies and Shows
Are you looking for a discussion topic? Watch the same movies and shows and discuss them the next day with your mom. And to make things simple for both of you, share a streaming service and plan to watch the same thing on a weeknight. It will be ‘your thing’ and bring you closer together. Furthermore, it’s a plan, a commitment, and a way to stay in touch. Doing something together regularly may be difficult, especially when you live far away. But a TV show followed by a phone call is always at hand. You don’t always have to discuss real life and its struggles. You can relax and enjoy a comedy show, knowing the other is doing the same, and you’ll talk tomorrow.
Want more gift ideas?
Here are a few fun tech items that she will adore!
We have you covered. From musical instruments to the latest smart watches, wow her with these top tech gifts for Mother’s Day.
