For your mom

I usually forgo gift recommendations based on specific relationships or holidays in favor of suggestions based on personalities and recurring social events. But with Mother's Day right around the corner (May 8 - don't forget!), I am making an exception. You can't go wrong giving a gift based on your mom's personality, but there are several gifts to consider that are better suited to moms than other recipients on your list (like a house cleaning or laundry service). 

Although most people associate Mother's Day strictly with mothers and grandmothers (not surprising, given the day's name), don't forget about those other women who have been influential in your life and helped guide you to become the person you are today. Consider surprising an aunt, friend, mentor, or any other woman who has impacted your life with a little token of your affection. I guarantee that, regardless of what you give her, the fact that you thought of her on Mother's Day will mean the world.

Here are some suggestions that are sure to delight your mom or mother figure:

Flowers: It's hard to go wrong with flowers. Whether you send them alone or along with another gift, flowers are a visual reminder that Mom is brings light and beauty to your life. Send her favorite kind if you know it; otherwise, choose something bright and cheery like daisies (regular or gerbera), lilies, or sunflowers. Also consider giving her a plant for her garden or a potted plant in a fun container so she can enjoy the gift even longer.

Time: Ask any mother what her perfect gift would be and she will probably answer "spending time with my family." Make her wish come true with the gift of quality time or a visit home. Schedule a family outing, a lazy day by the pool, or even a nice meal together for a gift she will never want to exchange.

Chore Service: Moms of any age have those "maternal" responsibilities like laundry, cooking, and cleaning (if dad takes care of these duties in your family, just ignore this recommendation until Father's Day). Give her a day or two off by outsourcing these tasks to someone in her area, either by giving her a gift certificate for the service or making arrangements with the vendor directly.

Spa Treatment: Moms seem to have an ingrained work ethic that is second to none, and most of them find it hard to take a break and relax. Pamper her with a spa treatment, such as a massage, manicure/pedicure, or facial. For extra points, schedule a spa day for the two of you, or for her and Dad together.

Portrait: I've never met a mother who doesn't love pictures of her family. If it's been awhile since your last family portrait, this would be a great gift for Mother's Day. You could have a portrait of the kids and grandkids made in advance, or schedule a session for the entire family (plan it for after Mother's Day if you want it to be a surprise). For a less formal gift, consider a photo book from Shutterfly - they look polished and allow you to customize the whole thing. You could memorialize your (or your child's) childhood, a special family trip, or visits to Grandma's house.

Jewelry: Jewelry is a great gift for some moms but a horrible one for others. If you know your mom likes jewelry, feel free to give her a new piece. However, if she wears the same thing every day and you don't have a clue what kind of jewelry she would appreciate, steer clear. If you decide to go with jewelry, remember to choose a classic piece and stay away from anything cheesy.

Coffee/Tea: If there's one thing most moms need, it's caffeine. Get Mom her favorite blend of liquid energy or pick up a gift card to Starbucks or another coffee shop. If she prefers tea, treat her to a gourmet blend from Teavana or Harney & Sons. Another great choice is a coffee or tea of the month club subscription, like the Kona Hawaiian Organic Coffee Club, Caribou Coffee of the Month Club, or Teavana Tea of the Month Club (12 Months). Also consider an accessory like a new tea or coffee pot, mug, or storage canister.

Tickets: Treat mom to a night on the town with tickets to a movie or show you know she'll enjoy. If you live close enough or can schedule it, go with her for a double gift of the outing and quality time together! 

Gift Basket: If you can't decide on a single gift, give mom a gift basket full of her favorite goodies. You could include lotion, muffins, coffee, tea, perfume, popcorn and a movie or rental voucher, her favorite candy, a restaurant gift certificate, body wash, candle, or bottle of wine. Put the items in a nice basket she can reuse and finish it off with a colorful spring bow. If you need a ready-made basket, Gourmet Gift Baskets offers a wide selection that's sure to please even the pickiest mom.

What are you giving your Mom this Mother's Day?

For the administrative professional

No matter where you work or who you work with, you encounter support staff on a regular basis. If you work as a support staffer, you know that your priority of supporting your boss can lead to a whole new level of crazy each day. If you work with administrative professionals, you know how important they are to keeping your business and affairs flowing smoothly and running interference between you and everyone who is demanding your time and attention. You also know, better than anyone, how much they deserve recognition and appreciation.

Administrative Professionals Day is April 27 and provides the perfect opportunity to say a big 'thank you' to the people who make your life easier (some people celebrate the week of April 24-29 rather than only on one day). Not only is recognizing your support staff a nice gesture, but it will also keep peace in your workplace (trust me, you do NOT want to be the person who doesn't participate in Administrative Professionals Day while everyone else in the office is showering gifts and praise upon their staff).

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) recommends giving "observances that recognize and provide opportunities for learning and growth," such as registration for business skills training programs or seminars, membership in professional organizations, or new office products like an ergonomic chair or software upgrade. See their website for more suggestions and information about Administrative Professionals Day. However, you know (or should know) your staff's preferences well enough to decide whether such a gift would be appreciated or viewed as self-serving. If you're afraid the IAAP's gift recommendations would be less-than-well received, keep reading for more personal gift ideas. Regardless of what you decide to give, be sure to include a nice card with a heartfelt message thanking your assistant and telling them just how much you appreciate all they do for you. And whether or not you have your own support staff, be sure to always say please and thank you to any assistants you encounter (especially this week, but really you should do it all the time).

Here are some suggestions for showing your administrative professional just how much you appreciate them:

Cash: Some people still shy away from giving money, but many staff members would rather receive the gift of cash than anything else. In these economic times, giving cash allows your staff member complete freedom and discretion in how to use your gift. It also makes your job as the gift-giver much easier because it eliminates all the guesswork and most of the effort. There are no hard and fast rules on how much is appropriate to give, but a little Internet searching indicates that the amounts vary between $10 and $100, with most gifts seeming to fall in the $25-$50 range. When deciding on an amount, don't feel like you have to give until it hurts, but do choose an amount that reflects how much you value your staffer's contribution to your workplace.

Gift Card: In the same vein as giving cash, gift cards essentially allow your recipient to choose his own gift. They are also a nice alternative for those who want to give money without actually having to give cash or a check. If you give a gift card, be sure to choose one from a store you're sure your staff member likes or one that can be used in multiple places. You can't go wrong with a voucher for a nice local restaurant, local mall (that can be used in all shops), Amazon.com, or a prepaid debit card from Visa or American Express.

Flowers: On their own, flowers are a nice gesture to show your appreciation to your staff. But for Administrative Professionals Day, they also serve as a physical statement that you have recognized your staffer's contributions. My advice is to give a small flower arrangement or plant in addition to another (more private) gift. For male staff, go with a plant or more masculine flower arrangement.

Time Off: Another popular gift is to reward your assistant with extra time off. Depending on your position, you may be authorized to award extra paid vacation time, or you might need to get clearance from your human resources department. If the company is uncooperative, you could discuss letting your staffer take an unpaid absence and paying that day's salary yourself.

Lunch: Taking your staff out for a nice lunch is a great way to show your appreciation. Let them pick the place and spend time getting to know each other outside the office.

Cake: Like flowers, but tastier, bringing a cake or cupcakes for your staff is a nice public gift that the whole office can enjoy. But before you bring in 10,000 calories on a plate, make sure your recipient isn't on a diet or allergic to any of the ingredients. A delicious-looking cake loses its luster if you find out too late that your staffer is lactose intolerant or gluten-free.

Office Products: One of the IAAP's gift recommendations is to upgrade your staff's office supplies and/or furniture. Consider giving ergonomically correct furniture, computer or software upgrades, or premium quality products. You might also want to give fun items like a personalized notepad or stationery or a few items from Knock Knock (makers of humorous office supplies like Do - Ponder - File file folders, Information Central Paper Mousepad, and Blah Blah Blah sticky notes).

Event Tickets: Everyone needs a break from the office, so why not give your staff tickets to a special event in town? Give tickets to a show, concert, or sporting event your assistant would enjoy so he can have a night out on the town with friends or a significant other.

Spa Services: If you are especially close to your staff, consider giving the gift of pampering that only a trip to the spa can accomplish. A massage, manicure/pedicure, facial, or body wrap is a great way to say 'thank you' and rejuvenate your assistant. But be careful: something personal like a spa gift should only be given if you have a close relationship with your recipient and you are the same gender. A massage gift certificate from a male boss to a female staffer might not send the message you're aiming for, and might get you a message of your own from HR.

What are your favorite gifts to give or receive for Administrative Professionals Day?

For the host(ess)

The Christmas season brings unique challenges for gift-givers, like buying for the teenager who is never satisfied and making conversation with the odd and distant relative who insists on coming to dinner this year. There is also the recurring issue of host(ess)* gifts, which are certainly not limited to the holiday season but seem to arise more frequently during this time.

*I will use the female form in this post, for simplicity's sake, but I readily acknowledge that men can and do make great hosts who deserve an equally special gift. If you are giving to a couple, choose a less feminine gift that both hosts will enjoy.

Hostess gifts show your appreciation for being invited to the event (and ensure that you will be at the top of the guest list next year). Although they are not required for every event you attend, a gift is always a nice way to say thank you. A good rule of thumb is to use the event's length and degree of formality to guide you in what to bring. Gifts are required for overnight visits and formal dinner parties and optional for cocktail parties and casual meals.

Remember, gift giving is not about you, and this applies doubly to hostess gifts. Feel free to bring a gift of food or drink, but don't expect that it will be served at the event. If your hostess chooses to do so, that is perfectly fine, but realize that the menu was set before your gift arrived and may not accommodate your nonetheless appreciated present. Your gift is first and foremost for the hostess, and once it is received she is free to do with it as she likes.

Here are some ideas to help you find the perfect gift for your hostess, regardless of the event you are attending:

• Food: desserts are always a hit, but breads or your specialty dish will also do the trick. Try to make the dish something that is easy to transport and fuss-free.
• Drink: wine, spirits, or a non-alcoholic beverage (like sweet tea or lemonade) is a nice treat for the hostess to enjoy later, or serve at the event if she chooses
• Restaurant gift certificate: say "thank you" for your hostess's hospitality by giving her a meal that she doesn't have to prepare
• Flowers: have them delivered if possible; if not, be sure to bring them in a vase so your hostess doesn't have to find a container while welcoming guests
• Ornament: an appropriate choice for holiday parties
• Token from home: if you are gifting to a person in a different geographic locale, think about bringing an item that represents your home area, such as a local delicacy or craft

Monogrammed tray from The Stationery Studio ($46); they also have Lucite versions for $98

Games are a great choice for frequent entertainers. I am a big fan of Would You Rather?, Electronic Catch Phrase, and Apples to Apples.

Custom House monogrammed coasters ($15.95 for 50)

State dish towels ($20) from Uncommon Goods, also available in city, region, and country styles

Mingle plates from Pottery Barn ($24 for 4)

Wine preserver from Brookstone ($29.95)

Monogrammed pillar candle ($24.99) from Simply Southern

Wine cork place card holders ($15 for 8) from Uncommon Goods

No matter what gift you choose, be sure to send a thank you note promptly after the event. I love this Lilly Pulitzer set ($60 for 25 cards) from The Stationery Studio.

What are some of your favorite hostess gifts to give or receive?