Mother's Day is something that husbands and anyone with a mom, dreads. WHY? Its finding that perfect gift. For me, gone are the elementary school days where it was just fine to give my mom a homemade, hand-printed plate, with fork-pukas on the outsides, and kalakoa tie-dyed looking art on the front. Or tissue paper-hearts on paper plates with an "I love you mom" hanging from pipe cleaners. I'm sure my mom appreciated those gifts, but as time goes by, I realize its not that the gifts need to get more expensive, its that I have a harder time each year expressing my love to a woman who has made me who I am today.

Here's my mom and I in a recent picture. I wouldn't be where I am today without her.

As I get older (and hopefully, as she would remind me, wiser), I come to the realization that her sacrifice, hard work, and example, as a mother, has made me into the strong-minded, generous, and hard-working mom that I find myself to be, today. So each year, when Mother's Day rolls around, I groan, and wonder how in the WORLD I'll top a gift given a year before and/or get something that my mom, a woman with EVERYTHING, doesn't already have.

Mother's Day is a great time of year to express your love and gratitude to the mom in your life. Here, pictured with my mom and dad, mom was probably rare, an executive with five children, but she did it. HOW? I have no idea.

A little background on my mom, because its fitting for this special occasion. Many who do not know her, would not realize that half of what they see on television, or take part in, in the community, is, in a large or indirect part, because of her efforts, Without going into detail, my mom has done more for the communities in Hawaii, than I can even begin to mention. From the inception and coordination of the televising of high school football, almost 20 years ago (which has now spread to all high school sports) to becoming the key to making her company become involved with community-type functions, for the past several decades, my mom has always been a working mom; tough-skinned, and as many who know her know, although she's petite in stature, as some who have told me, "you don't want to mess with your mom." She garners respect wherever she goes and no matter where I am or who I'm speaking to, the first question is usually, "Are you related to Mitzi Lehano?" The answer, proudly, is yes. Yet, with all of her successes in her career, I knew mom, was always, MOM. She baked the best homemade cinnamon rolls with homemade gooey frosting. The most mouth-watering mochi, and oh, I can't forget, these bags, pillows and blankets, that people would go nuts over. Not many people who know her, as a business woman, would know that as we grew up, she was a great mother and influential in the sense of always making sure that we knew or her priorities-us. So as an ode to my mom, I thought, I'd help some of you out, on this occasion that comes once a year, for gift ideas, in case you're still trying to figure out what to get for that special woman in your life.

Here's mom with one of my nieces. Whether it's a grandmother role or a mother role, she is always there for us kids.

If your mother, grandmother, or aunty, or whomever was that special woman in your life, has passed, it's a great time to bring out photo albums, old videos, and gather the family round for laughs, stories, and keeping their memories alive through sharing what you remembered about what she did for all of you in your lives.

My mom, pictured with dad here, shows that maybe it just takes a little bit of humor to last through five children and a successful career. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, Mom!

The tried, and true, but always appreciated gift .... The gift of relaxation

Most moms, whether working, or stay-at-home, don't get to pamper themselves. From dropping off kids, to homework, to housework, cooking and cleaning, and then work and school duties, sporting events and playing chauffeur and banker to us all, moms don't get a chance to relax; without an exasperated, yelling, or crying phrase of "Mom?" here and there. As a mother now myself, I know how caught up we can get, without realizing it, which usually leaves us putting ourselves last. As parents, we think of our kids first, and at the end of the day/month/year, we realize that we aren't taking care of ourselves! So my first gift suggestion is something that most moms wouldn't do for themselves. Spa Luana over at Turtle Bay Resort on the beautiful North Shore of Oahu, is the PERFECT place to treat mom to, and its way from the busy city, where us moms really don't want to spend our time driving to, especially on our way to and from relaxing.

Spa Luana, a perfect Mother's Day escape, located in the Turtle Bay Resort.

The recently renovated spa is gorgeous; stunning and relaxing, you are given a variety of treatment options for any mom and mom-to-be. What I liked best is their options of Hawaiian treatments. Indigenous treatments such as "Pineapple Pedicure, "Hawaii Coffee & Macadamia Nut Scrub," or "Hawaiian Ti Leaf Body Wrap." Some services allow you to sit "ocean side" in a large comfortable area overlooking crashing waves and clear blue sky.

This is the view you'll get while seated getting some services done in their outdoor area.

Another view of the beautiful ocean, from your pampered bliss, whether getting a manicure, or pedicure, even a massage from their outside cabana!

There's even something called a "Coconut Hair and Scalp Treatment." All of the treatments take you back to the essential Hawaiian ingredients that are found in the islands, that we sometimes take for granted. Treat the mom on your list to a pampering she deserves. The spa of course, includes "normal" spa and salon services, but unique add-ons such as the Hawaiian services I mentioned, as well as a variety of facials, massages and body scrubs.

If mom isn't a "spa" type of person, indulge her to a hair or scalp treatment in their spa, pictured above.

Their salon services top off a mom's relaxing day at the spa, with hair, body, and nail treatments that will leave your mom feeling like a famous celebrity when she walks out of the spa.

Pictured is one of Spa Luana's lavish treatment rooms.

And if you're sold, already, you're in luck. Spa Luana just happens to be running Mother's Day specials as well; running now through May 19th. "Mother's Glow" is $365 and a special Mother and Daughter Tropical Retreat is going for $294. (The prices mentioned are inclusive of their 18% service charge and state tax). I highly recommend getting the indigenous treatments there, I was fortunate enough to be able to get the pineapple pedicure done recently, and let me tell you ... pure heaven. I didn't know whether to fall asleep with the crashing waves in front, or to smack my lips as my senses were invigorated by all the wonderfully smelling tropical concoctions of natural Hawaiian things (coconut, pineapple, etc.). If you can't afford the packages, there's always a gift certificate for spa and/or salon services and something that I thought was also VERY cool for mom to have. If you want mom to have the ultimate "ocean side" experience, there is an outdoor, one windowed-cabana, which is very private, where mom can get a massage and the ocean at her headside.

This is what you'll see as you're getting a massage in Spa Luana's private Oceanside retreat cabana.

Another very neat gift idea: Turtle Bay Resort just RECENTLY launched their Kama`aina club membership program. The neat thing about it is that you receive, upon enrollment, one free night at Turtle Bay. Then, over $1200 in discounts all over the resort; in the spa, golf, tennis, horseback riding, restaurants, and of course, the club-only specials such as free room upgrades, and many more benefits. If your mom is one of those people who "have everything," this just may be the perfect gift. Its on Oahu, for those busy Oahu moms, but far enough away from the busy city, to enjoy the country and clean North Shore air, and kick back, and relax! And again, upon paying the pretty reasonable (compared to other club memberships) membership fee, mom gets one free night at the resort already! Membership is for one full year so mom will get to be treated like royalty until you figure out what to get her NEXT year for Mother's Day!

Loving memories captured in time

A portrait aken last month of yours truly, with photographer John Garcia. His photos capture beautiful stories, and make a great Mother's Day gift.

You know as a mom, I now appreciate pictures more than anything. Kids grow up faster than we can blink, and looking back at photos makes me reminiscent of whatever period of time the photos were taken at. What other better gift to give mom on her special day ... than a photo session?

A candid shot like the one shown above, can easily be captured also; framed and given with love, its something mom or grandma will definitely adore.

Whether its something you book and take, to give mom as a gift, or give the session itself as a gift, photos speak a thousand words, and what better way to show mom you love her, than to get a professional photographer to take pictures of her and your family, or the kids and grandkids. I know for me, its all about pictures. When you look back at photos, you remember almost everything; the sights, sounds, smells, and memories of the moment.

Have John take pics of the kids, if not an entire family portrait, like the one pictured above. Mom will love it!

Pictures take you back to the event, the feelings, the places in time which matter most; with family and friends and those dear to you. I know as a busy mom myself, I take a LOT of candid photos of my son; around the house, out and about; but to have a professional photographer do it, gives you the freedom and pleasure to be who you are; to allow the photographer to capture that special moment in time with you and your loved ones.

Forever captured in time, a family portrait, like the one show above taken by John Garcia, is something that most moms don't ever get around to doing, but deeply treasure having.

A particular photographer I would highly recommend is someone I use personally, and for business. You'll see his shots on my developing webpage, www.kimberlylehano.com. He's taken shots of myself with my son, alone, for television and print ads, as well as glamour and fashion shots for myself. He's well known in the modeling and fashion world, and I've seen his work all over town with various businesses. But for me, since I've worked with various photographers, I like working with John because he's comfortable. I never feel awkward or uncomfortable. That's key when taking a photo of anykind; especially a family portrait with many people needing to get together for a single shot. The part that gets me every time, though. Photographso of his tell a story. He always seems to find a unique way of capturing the "normal" shot, making something as simple as a headshot, so alive and vibrant, so deep and meaningful. Every photo speaks to you yet gives you that extra added air of mystery, to remember that moment forever. Speaking of forever, I think that grabbing the family together for a family picture and/or getting a gift certificate for mom so she can book at her own convenience, is a wonderful and meaningful gift idea. John Garcia's running Mother's Day specials, so make sure to book him before he gets filled up for that perfect Mother's Day gift. Advertised only for my readers here, is a special session rate of $99.00 for an hour shoot at one location of your choice. It will come with an 8"x12" print, and add-ons available at reasonable rates. You can either book online or by calling him at (808) 285-3363. Make sure to mention "Mother's Day Special" for this special discounted rate. Mom will love it and will love YOU for it.

Food, food, food
One thing I noticed is sometimes we don't think about moms enough. We plan Mother's Day get togethers ... and guess who has to cook? Yup, you got it, the moms. We need to slave over these stoves on the one day that we actually could have the excuse not to, and all because the non-mothers didn't plan well, or far enough in advance, or just don't want to cook. So one thing's for certain; if you are going to do something special for mom, and can't figure out if you're going to eat IN or OUT, make sure you think of mom when you plan that special meal. I know it can get hectic to schedule reservations that go smoothly, with meshing together the family's schedules as well as hearing what most moms end up saying "Don't spend money, something simple is fine." (DO ALL MOMS SAY THAT?) However, meals are something mothers (and those awesome fathers) have to worry about day in and day out, 365 days a year. Why not let mom rest for once, and either cook her favorite meal, or pitch in and pay for mom's meal at her favorite restaurant? I know my mom likes to eat out, but I know for sure that she likes homemade food best, because she gets to stay in the comfort of her own home, and all the kiddies get to run around and be themselves.

If all else fails, homemades and I.O.U.'s
Whether you're short on cash or just DON'T know what else to do, I know that in the past, I.O.U's, say, for a massage or breakfast, or a car wash or two, always worked with mom. Just make sure you leave an expiration date on those suckers, because if not, you'll be working for mom for years to come! I'm just kidding. But those homemade booklets are great; anything from "This coupon entitles you, mom, to a free pedicure," or "This coupon entitles you to me saying, ‘You're right, mom!" at the time of presentation." Anything that you can do for your mom is going to make her happy just to know you thought of her to take the load off of her busy hands.

For Mother's Day ideas in the past, my older brother, Todd, and I, were really creative growing up. We knew we didn't have the money to buy her gifts, so we'd plan, rehearse, and stage mini-shows for her. Those were the days of "Breakin'" and "Flashdance" and a time when Air Supply ruled the world. I look back at the home videos taken of our "performances" and gag, but I know that in our own little way, my older brother and I did all we could with WHAT we could. Nowadays, the "kids" buy moms things like diamond earrings and IPODS ... man, we seriously needed to ask for a raise in allowance! But all kidding aside, I know that things made from the heart, are sometimes and most times, the best gifts to give mom. Flowers are a tried and true nicety to give any woman, but I know that there were times that instead of buying already made bouquets, I made the bouquets myself with flowers I chose myself. Other things I've done are I've made her a silk flower arrangement (when those were the "in" thing) as well as of course the traditional gifts such as clothes, appliances, and little feminine gadgets. I've done the jewelry bit, but I think the most "Oohs" and "Aaahs" came from homemade gifts from the heart. Hand-sewn things, and homemade food; were her favorites. I could be wrong, you can ask her yourself, but I'm pretty sure, her favoritres were things we came up with using our own creativity. I'm sure before I knew how to cook, mom didn't really care for the undercooked pancakes, soggy bacon, and underripe papaya breakfasts in bed, but we never knew!

As we get older, things revolve around her grandchildren, and even more meaningfully, the role she plays as she looks upon the next generation, as they grow and carry on her family legacy of love and happiness. No matter how old you are, you have a mom, or dad, or grandmother, whomever brought you up and taught you the ideals and morals that you live by today. I hope that the ideas I've brought to you, were of some help, and that you are able to think of the most caring and thoughtful gift this Mother's Day.

To all you moms, you work hard, and always have one thing in mind as your number one priority-your children. Take a break, kick your feet up. Let those dishes wait (or better yet, have the kids do them), and take some time for yourself. Spend time with those you love, and those who love you, on this day that comes once a year. Although we shouldn't wait until each Mother's Day or special occasion to express our gratitude, Mother's Day is specifically for you ... so ENJOY IT!

Special note: (Since I can) ... Happy Mother's Day to the greatest mom on earth, I love you!

Here, my mom and I are pictured at my baby shower, exactly one week before I gave birth! Moms are always there for your most important moments of your life, so make sure you don't forget her on Mother's Day!

Add Your Own Comment