How to Get the Mother’s Day Gift you Want

There’s nothing sweeter than the homemade gifts your kids make for you every year. The flower with the petals shaped like hearts filled with words describing your child’s love for you. Or the homemade frames they decorate with a picture of them inside of it. These presents are truly precious beyond words and ultimately priceless. Nothing compares with the treasures they make. But what about the other gifts we receive?

For whatever reason I find myself picky when it comes to the gifts given to me by my spouse. Let me first say, Luke does an incredible job trying to pick my brain. It seems like he stays confused, attempting to figure out what it is I truly want. He remembers things I don’t even remember saying and he follows through. I confess that I haven’t always been the best recipient of his gifts whether for Mother’s Day, Christmas or any other gift-giving holiday.  Normally, I would assume that because he didn’t know what I wanted (and the degree to which I liked it), it meant he didn’t care about me nor did he know me that well. For a long time, this felt true but wasn’t true. It was revealed how particular I’d become with him compared to how over the moon I would be with the kiddos.I’ve come to admit that the problem with gift season has mostly been with me and the interpretations I’ve made.

If you’re like me, I have a few beneficial tips to help you and your significant other (or family or friends) during holidays. Feel free to mix ‘n’ match these as you see fit. 

1. Accept the gift. Sometimes the gift has already been purchased, the receipt lost and you get something you weren’t expecting. But showing gratitude even for the gesture will make room for us to experience more happiness in our lives. If your spouse gave you a present, that’s something. At times, I’d respond with frustration as if I hadn’t received anything at all. Also, I became far grumpier and more difficult to please when I didn’t value the gifts I received. In addition, think about your kids and how you want them to respond when they get a gift. How might your example be affecting them? Side note: if you find yourself extending compassion for those distant friends and relatives who give you the most bizarre gifts, provide the same charity for the ones closest to you. 
2. Buy yourself the gift you want. Who said we have to wait around for someone else to get what we want (when we have the means to get it ourselves)? Also it doesn’t have to be a holiday either! Treat yo’ self and go out and get it! Just make sure to let everyone know so you don’t get duplicate gifts. 
3. Ask specifically for what you want. Be very clear in your communication on what you want. DON’T LEAVE OUT ANY DETAILS! Heck, send a link if that helps. (I’ve even included info regarding how long an item would be on sale for). If there’s something you truly want, don’t waste time leaving hints that might be lost in the mix. Be bold and say it. Also, if you change your mind, let them know before it’s too late. This could avoid unwanted disappointment for everyone involved. And the gift giver won’t walk on eggshells because they can feel confident giving their gift.

I hope these tips can help simplify the gift-giving process for many holidays to come. After all, special occasions have no problem getting pretty wild all on their own! 

Happy soon-to-be Mother’s Day, all my beautiful queens! 

*If considering buying a coaching package for a mom you know, please make sure they are interested, available and willing to participate in coaching prior to purchasing.