My mama told me, “You’d better shop around.”

Obviously, I took her words to heart. But for those of you who have waited till the last minute to buy a Mother’s Day gift, you don’t have time to shop around.

Don’t fret. I’ve done it for you, and I’ve come up with a few fabulous gift ideas that will make you look like you’ve been thinking about this momentous holiday for months. (You have been thinking about it for months, right?) They’re unexpected alternatives to the standard bouquet, box of chocolates or pre-boxed jewelry set – and they’re so good, they may even make you Mom’s favorite. But we’ll leave that matter to Dear Abby.

What mother doesn’t need a little stress relief? Whether she’s a stay-at-home mom or a workplace warrior, she could use a little pampering. Ideally, you would spring for a day at the spa, but I know that’s not in my budget. You could buy her a gift certificate for a massage ($30-$60) – my colleagues and I have had good luck with Renee Rollins, Michelle Slater in Bangor, and Dianne Grandchamp in Brewer, but ask around or check the Yellow Pages, because we certainly aren’t the authority on massage. I would say we’re underpampered.

Say none of these things fits in your budget. That’s OK. You could pack a basket with soothing lotion and body wash, a scrubbie and a soft bathrobe. I like the Blossom blue gardenia and lavender scents ($15-$17) and the kimono-in-a-bag at Ampersand in Orono, but The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor, Molly’s in Winterport, TJ Maxx ‘n More and Bath & Body Works in Bangor all have splendidly scented confections that will wash Mom’s cares away.

Another thing that will make her more relaxed is yoga – pick up a mat (check TJ’s or your local sporting goods store), a deck of yoga cards ($14.95 at Borders) and buy her a gift certificate for a lesson ($3-$15 per session, depending on where you go). She’ll be centered in no time.

If Mom likes to golf, get her the three T’s: a golf T-shirt (I like the $12.99 version at the Gap, but they’re everywhere, including Filene’s, Golf Country and Burlington Coat Factory), golf tees (anywhere sporting goods are sold), and a tee time – get her a gift certificate for 18 at her favorite course. If you’re feeling flush, throw in a cart rental.

This gift is for the birds. If she loves our feathered friends, why not get her a hummingbird feeder (check out the selection at Park’s Hardware in Orono and Blue Seal in Bangor), a packet of bird- and butterfly-attracting wildflower seeds (available at any garden center), and an Audubon bird book.

Is Mom a fashionista? Get her a pair of strappy sandals (I just saw a luscious pair at Filene’s) and gift certificate for a pedicure at her favorite nail salon – because sandals and ungroomed toenails are a dreadful combination. If shoes aren’t her thing, get her a flashy bag, such as the lime-green Anne Klein tote at Burlington Coat Factory, or the supercute jelly bags at J.C. Penney. Fill it with a lipstick and a bottle of her favorite perfume if your budget allows, and she’ll step out in style.

No one cooks like Mom, and if she loves to try new recipes, you could make a gift pack with table linens (try The Grasshopper Shop and World Over Imports in Bangor or Ampersand in Orono), napkin rings and a subscription to Cook’s Illustrated, Gourmet, Saveur or Bon Appetit. Yummy.

You always could pick up a bouquet of roses, but for the same price, you could get her a rosebush basket instead. Bare-root roses start at $4.96 at The Home Depot for a basic variety. For high-quality, more unusual roses, check out Windswept Gardens on outer Broadway in Bangor. Stick the bundle in a bucket (which doubles as a gift basket and a place to soak the roots), add a pair of pruning shears and gloves to protect her hands, and you have a gift that will keep giving for years. Oh, it would be even sweeter if you offered to plant it for her.

This should get you started. I hope this saves you some time – and sanity. Let me know how it goes. Oh, and, as always, happy shopping!

ShopNotes

. Speaking of Mother’s Day, Patty Rock of Franklin deserves an extra-special gift this year. She won the $250 ShopGirl Shopping Spree and spent more than half the money buying her daughter Katie a prom dress. Katie, Patty, her sister Pam Sargent of Otis and I hit the Bangor Mall last Sunday. Patty was on a mission, and she brought coupons.

Our first stop was Deb, where Katie, a junior at Sumner High School, bought a beautiful black-and-pink gown by Zum-Zum.

“We may have royalty in the family,” Patty said, smiling. Katie was nominated for prom queen, and both mother and daughter were very excited.

After we picked up what could be the lucky dress, we headed to Filene’s to get Patty some shirts. Like me, she knows what she likes: golf shirts and V-necks. We bought two sleeveless polo shirts in pink and black and then headed to Burlington Coat Factory, where she cleaned up. There, she found three pairs of socks, two very flattering shirts, a pair of comfortable slides and a summer purse for a total of $62.88 – a true bargain shopper.

Next it was off to The Olive Garden for a delicious lunch. Full and almost out of money, we set our sights on Target, where Patty bought a much-needed golf glove and a wear-everywhere zip-front sweatshirt. It was a successful trip, and we had a blast.

Congratulations, Patty! And happy Mother’s Day!

. Whether you have a passion for fashion or you’re boffo for Broadway, Penobscot Theatre Company’s gala event is the place to be next weekend. “Broadway, Baby” will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at the Bangor Opera House. For style hounds, one of the main attractions will be New York actress Rita Rehn, who will wear one of four original Bob Mackie gowns.

Mackie is best known for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show” – plus, he dresses Cher and Liza Minnelli. Rehn’s friend Joe McFate works for Mackie and secured the loan of the glamorous, beaded dresses.

“This is what’s great about theater,” said Rehn, who recently appeared in PTC’s production of “Dead Certain.” “I think it’s great that you can meet people, we create things fresh, and we hope to bring a little excitement and glamour to the stage. It’s part of the great mix of life.”

Indeed. For information on the gala, call 942-3333.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476.