Mother's Day from a Distance 

Lifestyle 

  Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and while many of us generally take this time to visit and surprise our Mothers with gifts of appreciation, good food, and laughs with the family, the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic still has us practicing social distancing measures, limiting our interactions. While this certainly isn’t how we thought we would be spending Mother’s Day this year, there are still ways we can adapt and celebrate; With accessible technology, plenty of local and online buying options, and a touch of creativity, there are still lots of ways to brighten the day and show some appreciation to our loving Mothers. Here is how you can spread the joy while remaining socially distant for Mother’s Day this year. Make Sure You Stay Connected. On any given day during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the importance of being connected with one another has remained high, and this rings true for Mother’s Day as well. If you do not reside in the same home as your Mother, make sure to give her a phone or video call, an email, or write a card or letter to express your love and gratitude.  With so many platforms to use for video conferencing, it is easier than ever to be together while being apart. If you are celebrating from a distance, try connecting via Video Conferencing and cook a meal together, or play some games to help make this day feel extra special.    Surprise Her! If you want to take this modified Mother’s Day celebration to the next level, plan a parade in front of Mom’s house and make sure she (and her neighbours) see and feel just how loved she is! Hold up signs and balloons and sing or chant about just how awesome Mom really is! If a parade isn’t your style, or if you live in the same house as your Mom, try getting up really early to decorate her car, lawn, driveway, windows, and doors with balloons and pictures! You can draw the pictures on paper and attach them with tape, use sidewalk chalk, or get some Window Markers to create some unique drawings and kind words directly on glass surfaces.   The Perfect Gift Shopping for Mother’s day gifts can be an exciting time, but with the current restrictions on business along with shopping and processing delays, it might be better to seek out alternative ways of gift-giving this year. This is a great time to support local businesses, help small businesses, and give a gift our Mother can treasure always. Many creators have a Facebook page or Website displaying their stock, or make custom orders; with alternative methods of payment and contactless pick-ups, shopping has never been easier. Additionally, many businesses and restaurants are selling gift cards if you can’t find exactly what you're looking for, giving your Mother everything she needs to get that special something once restrictions on businesses are lifted.  If you are a Pinterest connoisseur, there are many DIY projects that could be a lot of fun, and provide Mom with a great hand-made gift. Other unique ideas could include getting her groceries for the week, tending to her lawn and garden, ordering her favourite takeout, or putting thoughtful effort into other essential duties, and letting her kick back and relax for the day.   Stay Safe While the best gift this year might just be continuing to practice social distancing to keep ourselves and loved ones safe, we are sure that if you want to go above and beyond to make your Mother feel special, these ideas will certainly do the trick. No matter what you decide to do to celebrate Mother’s Day, it is important to take appropriate measures to ensure everyone’s health and well-being during these uncertain times; There are many things we can still do, both big and small to show Mom just how loved she is, and even if you feel like you couldn't find the best gift, or have the nicest meal together, know that any effort through these times will be remembered with the fondest memories for many years to come.