Mother's Day Shopping Guide – What Type of Mom Are You Shopping For?

By RedFlagDeals.com Staff

The Mother's Day shopping crunch is on – so what do you give the woman who gave you life? Of course, she'll love whatever you pick, so you really can't lose…but how many macaroni and glitter portraits does one woman really need? We feel the best approach is to figure out what kind of mom you're dealing with, and work from there, so we've compiled this list of Mom archetypes with corresponding gift suggestions – happy shopping!

Soccer Mom (Or Hockey Mom, or Basketball Mom, or Lacrosse Mom…):

Is your mom your biggest fan? Pay her back for all the time she's logged watching you from the sidelines by highlighting some of your greatest sporting moments on a photo mug or in a Kodak Gallery photobook. She'll be the envy of all your teammate's moms, and you'll be the MVP of the family!

Or, if your playing days are long over, you can always enjoy a game as a spectator with mom. Pick up some tickets to a sporting event you know she'll enjoy and accompany her in the cheering section. If she asks you to paint your face and wear a giant foam finger, be a good sport – after all, she did give birth to you.

And of course, all good hockey moms need a good hockey jersey; you can save $10 on one with this Mother's Day deal from IceJerseys.com.

Gadget Mom:

Dads certainly don't have the market cornered when it comes to gadgetry, so if you've got a tech-loving mom on your shopping list you may want to rethink that crochet kit you've been eyeing for her. One hot gift idea for Gadget Moms are eReaders – whether you spring for the popular Kindle from Amazon (they retail from $259 US), or the more affordable Kobo from Chapters.Indigo.ca (retails at $149) is up to you.

If your mom prefers tunes to tomes, an iPod may be the way to go. Purchase one from the Apple Store and you can personalize it with free engraving and even have it shipped for free when you shop from their Mother's Day gift guide. We suggest showing up your siblings by taking your gift to the next level and loading up mom's new iPod with all her favourite songs!

Our final choice for your Gadget Mom will not only satisfy her love of gadgets, but will give her a hand around the house as well (so you don't have to!). Give mom an iRobot Roomba and she'll be able to spend less time vacuuming and more time on the important things – like you. Go, Go, Gadget Moms!

Classic Mom:

Your mother doesn't have to be a June Cleaver clone to appreciate the value in good old-fashioned Mother's Day gift items. Jewellery, flowers, perfumes, there's a reason these items are given so often – moms love them! If you're shopping for a Classic Mom we've got some tips for you.

Let mom know how sweet you think she is with sweet-smelling perfumes from Sears.ca, Lancome.ca, or StrawberryNet.com – they're all featuring special Mother's Day selections this year. Or, if your mom prefers her scents in a vase rather than on her wrists, send her a floral arrangement instead. Flowers are one classic gift choice that never disappoints.

And while we know you'll always be her best child, if diamonds are her best friend you can't go wrong with jewellery.

New Mom:

The New Mom is a special case, mostly because New Mom's children haven't developed their shopping skills yet. That means the Mother's Day gift giving is probably going to be left up to dad. And remember dads, this is New Mom's first Mother's Day, a day she'll remember forever – so no pressure!

One sure-fire option for a New Mom is something heartfelt to commemorate her first year with her baby, we think these footprint kits from Pressions will do the trick nicely. We also feel that while most new moms love getting child-rearing advice from every well-meaning bystander they meet in the street, it can't hurt to offer her something more official to peruse. Luckily, there are a wide variety of books on parenting newborns that will inform, reassure, and entertain your New Mom.

Still not sure if you've hit the mark with your first Mother's Day gift? Here's a tip that can't lose – a sterling silver, heart-shaped, locket charm with “Mom” engraved on it from Tiffany & Co. That little blue box is the second bundle of joy your New Mom won't be able to resist this year.

Adventure Mom:

Is your mom the kind of lady who leaps before she looks and cheers when Thelma & Louise make their cliff-diving exit? Then you're probably shopping for an Adventure Mom. Adventure moms may say they enjoyed the tea cozy you bought them last year, but they're secretly wishing you had sprung for skydiving lessons instead.

Ever wanted to tell your mom to take a hike? It's okay – Adventure Moms won't take offence. Treat your mom to some new hiking wear from Mountain Equipment Co-Op this Mother's Day and then go the extra mile by hitting the trails with her for some Adventure-Mom bonding time.

Another great way to share in Adventure Mom's adventures is to take her on a vacation. Surprise her with a whirlwind weekend in Vegas or a backpacking tour of Italy. For pre-packaged vacation ideas, you can visit travel sites like Expedia.ca, or, if you're building your own adventure, you can save on accommodations and vehicle rentals through sites like Orbitz.com or Priceline.com.

If your mom doesn't fit into one of the above categories, don't worry – there are plenty of great gift options out there for moms of all kinds. From spa gift certificates, to gardening tools, to craft supplies, and beyond. As long as it's from the heart, whichever gift you choose will be the right one for your mom!