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24 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 7, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Great ways to tell your home you love her! In North America Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May (and this special occasion is actually the most popular one after Christmas and Valentine's Day). While cards and fresh cut flowers are tradition, here's a checklist of other great gift ideas. · Buy annuals or perennials and plant them for your mom in her garden. · For mom's who love to cook, buy a collection of potted organic herbs including basil, rosemary, sage and thyme and make her an herb garden. · Homemade art gifts are cherished especially when children are young. But anything creative ­ a picture, poem or photo ­ is a lovely personalized gift. · Photos are always a hit. Portrait packages are available at a range of prices ­ hire a professional, have a portrait package done in a discount store or ask a friend who has a good eye, to take pictures. Cut and paste photos (or copies of the photos to preserve the original) onto a half-sized poster board, fill a memory photo album or box or load a digital picture frame with family pictures. Of course, a single framed picture is a lovely gift too. · Have photos put on a t-shirt, calendar, mouse pad or coffee cup. Check photo departments and stores for these specialized photo finishing services. · Package up a homemade treat such as her Mother's Day your mom's favourite coffee cake, cookies or even a fresh fruit flan. · Help your mom clean her house. Hire her a week of cleaning services or offer to do the housework yourself. · Offer to help with home repair or updating projects such as painting or wall papering or hire someone to help. · Treat your mom to a pedicure or manicure. The gift will be even nicer if you have your own nails painted right alongside your mom's. · Plan a special outing to a museum or live play and be sure to include lunch in the invitation whether you pack a scrumptious picnic or take her to a restaurant. · At the end of the day, remember that spending time with the people she cares about is a great way to spend Mother's Day too.(NC) SURVEY for her's Day HER to Mom We asked numerous Oakville moms `What was your favourite Mother's Day gift?' "a framed picture of my boys on one side and a poem of what a mother means to them on the other side." " photo of kids in crystal frame." "Always a phone call "A hand-made from my card from my children! daughter when Best gift she was little and ever!" breakfast in bed!" Gift ertificates Available Have Our Consultant Fit ou From Head To Toe. Size 2-18 Watch Us Fashions 1131 Nottinghill Gate (Glen Abbey) 905-827-2271 Interiors & Clothing 126 Trafalgar Road, Downtown Oakville | 905.815.0561 www.hermasinteriors.ca "My kids took me for a picnic one year, it was a great way to spend the day together!