Creative Ideas to Celebrate Your First Mother’s Day

Get someone else to plan the entire thing

First and foremost, it’s not going to feel like your day at all if guests are arriving at your home, or you’re the one hosting the party. Do your best, this time around, to get someone else to take over the planning duties, so you can truly relax and enjoy every single minute of a day that is wholly meant to honor YOU!

If that’s not an option, keep the festivities as simple as possible by hiring a caterer or having pre-made party platters and desserts from a favorite deli or baker. This makes the setting up – and clean up –easier for your helpers.

Honor yourself and your baby with a photo album or canvas

As a newborn photographer, I’m partial to this one. However, I trust the heartfelt testimonials of dozens upon dozens of clients who treasure their newborn photo albums and stunning wall canvases for years after they were purchased.

The idea that “someday” you’ll finally order those photos, or have a canvas printed, is wonderful in theory. However, life has a way of rushing ahead without allowing time to attend to that “to do” items that don’t affect day-to-day life.

If you missed the ideal window for a newborn photography session (one- to four-weeks-old), read, How Old is Too Old…” to plan for other, “optimal windows” for capturing stunning images. Then schedule your session with a professional photographer and tell yourself, “Happy Mother’s Day!”

Don’t have the budget for professional newborn or baby photos? Read, DIY Baby Photography Tips for Pro-Quality Photos at Home.

Head outside into nature

We’re fortunate that Mother’s Day in the Bay Area typically yields gorgeous weather. Rather than opting for traditional, reservation-based lunches or brunches, I recommend heading outside with a picnic basket and blanket. In addition to enjoying some fresh air, sunshine and natural beauty, you won’t have to worry about a baby who is fussy or who needs to squirm, breastfeed repeatedly, crawl (or toddle) around.

When you’re outside, there’s no need to shush or contain; rather, you both get to be relaxed and at ease. Ironically, babies outside are typically much happier than babies who are cooped up indoors, so the simple act of spending a day outside works wonders for keeping babies engaged and occupied by the world around them.

Ask for gift certificates

Odds are you don’t need more things, or the things you do need are on the more specific side. Ask family, friends or co-workers to gift you with gift certificates, rather than gifts, so you can get exactly what you need.

From massage therapists and nail salons to professional photographers and baby boutiques, most service providers are happy to provide gift certificates in varying increments so recipients can tailor them to her wish list.

Pamper yourself…

…and don’t feel guilty if that means having a lovely “Happy Mother’s Day!” hug and kiss with your wee one before heading out for some much-needed, and much deserved, pampering time. Let’s face it, every day is Mother’s Day for your baby because you are the ultimate source of…pretty much everything for him/her right now.

It’s perfectly fine if the best way you can think of to celebrate your first Mother’s Day is to leave your sweet baby in the loving arms of your spouse, partner, grandma and grandpa, etc., so you can enjoy a day to yourself. Perhaps this means all day; maybe it means attending a function with family and then leaving to escape for a few hours. Alternatively, you might simply desire a long bubble bath with some tasty snacks, or you may prefer enjoying Mother’s Day with the baby but calendaring a nice chunk of time within the following few days to have some time to yourself.

Do the opposite of the norm

If you typically spend your days cooped up in the house, spread those wings and make plans in a baby-friendly spot that you can explore and enjoy together. If you work outside the home, or you’re always on the go, enjoy a staycation at home and delight in being present with your little one – even if it means skipping out on the extended family traditions this year.

My name is Marcela Limon and I’m the owner of Lemonshoots. I spend my life celebrating mothers-to-be and their newborn babies. I wish you and your family a wonderful first (or many-times-over) Mother’s Day, and I urge you to find just the right way to celebrate this special milestone in a way that fills you with joy. And make sure to document those happy moments too!