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?

March Sales and Discounts!

Happy March! In my part of the country, the sun is shining and flip-flips are starting to emerge from the back of closets. I hope you are enjoying equally wonderful weather! Before you head outside and soak up some rays, check out these great deals and stock up on gifts for the coming months (remember that St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day are just around the corner!).

Weddings

• Save big at the Wedding Channel Store's 3 day sale, running until Wednesday, March 2. Take up to 75% off site-wide plus 15% off your total with code WC3D15.
• The Knot is offering 25% off a year subscription to Wedding Tracker, which helps you build the ultimate wedding website! Use code AFF25.
• The Knot is also having a sale (up to 65% off!) on wedding favors this week, as well as offering $10 off purchases of $50+ with code TKMAR10.
• Save 15% off $125+ at Exclusively Weddings with code TAFSPRNG through March 31.

Personalized Gifts

• Get free standard shipping when you spend $25+ (through March 31) and save 10% on your entire purchase (through March 15) at Personal Creations. Spend $49+ and save 25% on your whole order (through March 15).
• Save $30 on orders of $135+ at Red Envelope and get free shipping when you spend $70+, both through March 31. Also take 20% off all jewelry orders.
• Take 12% off at Canvas on Demand (code: CODGAN0311) and Great Big Canvas (code GBCGAN0311) through March 31. Both sites transform your pictures into art, which would be a great gift for photographers (among others)!

Television

• Get free shipping when you spend $49+ at The History Channel, A&E, and Bio with code AFFSHIP49, and take 20% off women's history titles.
• Take 15% off The Office from NBC with code NBC15CJ (through March 31) and get free shipping when you spend $100+ with code FREESHIP.
• Save 15% on any purchase from CBS through March 7 with code 15OFFCBS.
• Get $5 off your order of $30+ and free shipping on all orders at Shop the Shows with code 5OFF30.

Miscellaneous

• Spend $99+ and get free shipping from Hammacher Schlemmer with code HSMRCHFS.
• Get free shipping and a gift worth $25 (hand therapy + lip butter) when you spend $75+ at Crabtree & Evelyn, plus buy one lip butter get one 50% off and get 2 select hand care products for $25, all through March 7.
• Take an extra 15% off and get free shipping on all orders at Samsonite with code WINTER15 (through March 7).
• Take 20% off and get free shipping from Linens 'N Things through March 8 with code MARCH20.
• Mac Connection is having their biggest Apple sale of the season - check out their lowest prices of the year!
• Get an extra 20% off and free shipping on orders of $100+ at eBags.
• Get free shipping with code FREESHIP30 when you spend $30+ at Melissa & Doug through March 3, and save 35% anytime.

Don't forget to follow Gift Giving Guru on Twitter (@scgiftguru) for more deals and product recommendations!

For a wedding shower

Thanksgiving is long gone, Christmas has come and passed, and Valentine's Day is just around the corner. That can only mean one thing . . . wedding season is imminent. Invest in Bed Bath & Beyond stock, make The Knot your home page, and block out every Saturday between February and August for a wedding or wedding-related event.

Wedding season brings its own unique gift challenges, but the Gift Guru is here to ensure that you enter this year's season of love prepared for any wedding, shower, or party your engaged recipients may throw at you. My brother, B, is getting married at the end of April to K, and I am very much looking forward to their wedding and all of the events preceding it. Rest assured that I will be taking much of my own advice when it comes to gift giving in the coming months.

Today, we will focus on the wedding shower (wedding gifts will be covered soon). Wedding showers used to be known exclusively as "bridal showers," presumably because they were only for the bride. You knew exactly what to expect (at least in the South) - a Sunday afternoon gathering in the church parlor with butter mints, Sprite-based punch, lots of lace, and gifts of towels, china, and linens. Nowadays, wedding showers know no bounds. There are couples showers, which both the bride and groom attend, in addition to the traditional bride-only showers (I'm sure that someone has thrown a groom-only shower, but I only know these gatherings in the form of bachelor parties, so I am omitting them here). There are linen showers, stock-the-bar showers, around-the-clock showers, entertainment showers, lawn and garden showers, gift card showers, book showers, lingerie showers, travel showers, culinary showers, spa/pampering showers - the sky is truly the limit. Regardless of the type of shower you are attending, here are some basic etiquette tips and gift suggestions to get you started.

According to The Knot, it is proper etiquette to give a gift both at the shower and at the wedding (see their full explanation here). You may choose to give a smaller gift at the shower and save a larger gift for the wedding, but the choice is yours. If you happen to be invited to multiple showers (which you shouldn't be), WedNet says that you need not give a gift at all of them, or even attend them all. Feel free to choose a gift for one shower and simply attend the others or bring a nice card with a warm message inside. You might also decide to bring smaller gifts to multiple showers rather than a larger gift to a single shower. One exception to the one-shower-gift rule is if you are a close relative of the bride or groom, such as a mother or aunt, in which case you may wish to give gifts at each shower. In this situation, you might want to buy a set or the entire quantity of a requested item (like plates or place settings) and give one or two pieces at each shower.

Most couples these days have registries at one or more stores, and these can greatly simplify your gift choices. But remember that registries are actually just "suggestions" for gifts, and you are not bound to them when choosing a present. If the shower invitation doesn't include registry information, search for it  at The Knot or Bed Bath & Beyond, or ask someone close to the couple where they are registered. Personally, I prefer to err on the side of caution by choosing something from the registry unless I am very close to the couple, know of something specific they would like that's not on their registry, have access to a gift they would like but can't get, or find a great gift that I just can't pass up. I try to avoid cutesy items, gifts that are only relevant to the wedding (such as a bag that says "Bride"), and items that are too personal (like sheets). My rule of thumb is that unless I know the recipient(s) well enough that we exchange gifts on other occasions like birthdays and holidays, I usually just stick to the registries.

If you have lots of events to attend for multiple people, you might want to choose a staple gift to make your life easier. If you go this route, make sure that the gift is something that almost everyone would appreciate and probably didn't register for. My mother regularly gives quesadilla makers as wedding gifts, and they seem to be a big hit - they are easy to use, work for people of all taste preferences, and most people haven't thought of registering for them (and probably didn't realize that they existed). Other gifts that might be appropriate staples are Nap blankets from Brookstone (which are buy one get one 50% off right now), a set of nice towels in a neutral color (getting them monogrammed is a nice touch), or candlesticks with candles. If you find them on sale, stock up and make your life easier the next time you need a wedding gift.
*A Gift Guru word of warning: always make sure that your recipient will enjoy the gift. If you usually give an engraved cocktail shaker and top-shelf liquor, for example, choose another gift for the teetotaler couple.

No matter what marital gathering you need a gift for, several websites are a great place to start.

• The Knot is wholly devoted to all things weddings. It is primarily a resource for brides, but also offers some great gift ideas and etiquette tips for guests. It allows couples to create their own wedding webpage with information about the ceremony, reception, and their registries, making it the most likely location for finding wedding registries for your recipients.
• The Wedding Channel Store is geared more toward those throwing the wedding, but also has some gift suggestions for guests.
• Bridal Shower Etc. offers tips for planning showers and giving thoughtful gifts.

In addition to the registries, here are some ideas for all of your wedding event needs:

• Anything with her/their new monogram: this could include a scarf/pashmina, towels or linens, doormat, coasters, ice bucket, serving tray, or placemats. Be sure that the bride is changing her name before you give this kind of gift. If not, consider using the couple's first names or initials instead.
• Stationery: in the same vein as monograms, every bride loves personalized items to take her into married life. You could give notecards, personalized stamps and stamp pads, notepads, or traditional stationery sheets, either with her new monogram or both their names. Choose something age appropriate that can be used for formal correspondence or a quick note to a friend.
• Drinkware: everyone needs nice glasses for special occasions or formal dinners. You can't go wrong with traditional wine or highball glasses. If the couple has registered for these items, you might choose something more specific, like martini or margarita glasses.
• Beverages: a nice bottle of wine/champagne or spirits is a thoughtful gift, especially for first-time homeowners or the newly independent couple. Combine with glasses or coasters for a sure hit.
• A massage or spa gift certificate: every bride (and non-bride, for that matter) could use a time of relaxation and pampering to have her stress lifted and energy renewed. If their honeymoon would accommodate it, you might even want to give them a couples massage for when they arrive.
• Group Gifts: if you can't afford the gift you want on your own, ask other attendees who you are close to if they want to go in with you to get a more expensive gift, such as fine china, expensive cookware, or a nice appliance.
• Gift Baskets: if you can't think of one big gift or narrow down your gift ideas, consider making a gift basket. Start with a nice basket the couple can use later, line it with fabric or tissue paper, and start filling. You might pick a theme (such as honeymoon, kitchen, or laundry) or just assemble various items you find interesting or helpful. You could also choose a favorite recipe and give the dishes and utensils used to make it, along with the recipe itself.
• Services: if you are especially good at something, give the gift of your talent. This might include calligraphy, sewing, drawing, painting, pet or house sitting, or gardening. If you can do it well, consider gifting it to the newlyweds. But remember: only give a gift that you think they will really appreciate, and not one that will potentially cause problems or hurt feelings (i.e. don't offer to take their wedding photos if they already have the perfect photographer booked).
• Books: a first edition of their favorite book, a book about their honeymoon destination or wedding location, or a quick and simple cookbook for a new chef can make a great present. Consider giving a bundle of books if you feel like one isn't enough, or choose one book and combine it with another gift (like a basket of goodies).
• Games: for a fun-loving couple or frequent entertainers, a game could be the perfect gift. Fun items are often overlooked as wedding gifts but are much-appreciated by couples. Consider games like Cranium, Apples to Apples, Jenga, or Banana Grams, or a card set with chips. Pair with a card table for an all-around gift of fun!
• Gift Cards: If everything left on the registry is out of your price range, you don't see anything you want to give, or you are simply at a loss, you can't go wrong with a gift card. They are less personal than a traditional gift but much more appreciated than a random present that is destined to gather dust. Pick up a gift card from a store where they are registered, a favorite restaurant or unique experience, or a home outfitter like Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Pottery Barn, or Crate & Barrel.

As a special treat for Gift Giving Guru readers, here are some wedding-related discounts:

• Save 10% site-wide, 15% on orders of $80+, and 20% when you spend $125+ with this offer from Red Envelope, which offers unique and personalized products perfect for a wedding shower. Enter REDTIER at checkout.
• Take 20% off your order at Linens 'N Things through January 18 with the code WHITE20.
• Save 25% when you spend $250+ at Exclusively Weddings through March 31.
• Bed Bath & Beyond, where most couples seem to register, routinely sends coupons for 20% a single item to members of their mailing list. I often use these coupons to purchase wedding and shower gifts, and most cashiers will let you use them even if they have expired. Sign up here.

UPDATE: No matter what you decide to give, make sure you include a gift receipt in case the couple gets multiples of the item or there is a problem with the product. Thanks to Caitlin for the reminder!

What are your favorite shower gifts to give or receive?