Mom’s the word As her special day approaches, find distinctive gifts that smother your mother with love

Is there anyone cooler than mom? I mean, really. Who taught you how to find bargains? Who showed you how to coordinate? Who told you not to wear white before Memorial Day? Who introduced you to T.J. Maxx and Renys?

Now, as Mother’s Day looms, it’s time to return the favor. Since moms generally know everything, I’m not talking about giving her pointers. I’m talking about showering her with gifts. And this means grandmothers and mothers-in-law as well (I’m lucky, because I adore mine, but even if you don’t, ask yourself this: How did your hubby turn out so great? Chances are she had something to do with it).

You could just grab a bouquet of carnations on your way to brunch. But after all the fretting she’s done on your behalf, would a little thoughtfulness kill you?

I think not.

It doesn’t take much to turn an ordinary gift into something extraordinary. Instead of flowers, why not buy her a beautiful orchid or, better yet, plant a tree or a few perennials in her garden. Is it fragrance she’s after? Skip the flowers and try a superluxurious Pacifica candle ($19.95 at The Store-Ampersand in Orono) – the intoxicating scents, such as Blue Chamomile and Lavender, or Blood Orange – will last much longer than a bouquet.

Does she have a green thumb? Why not pamper her with supple garden gloves (check out your local hardware store, garden shop or nursery), a gardeners’ soap (I love the softly scented French soaps available at Fabrics de France in Camden), and a soothing hand cream – Hope in a Jar by Philosophy is meant for the face, but it works wonders on dry, cracked hands. It’s worth every penny of the $35 price tag (and I’m cheap). Find it at www.philosophy.com. If that’s a little rich for your blood, check out the great selection of toiletries at T.J. Maxx ‘n More, or try Crabtree & Evelyn’s Gardeners Hand Cream, (see www.crabtreeandevelyn.com for stores near you).

Want a gift that’s for the birds? How about a beautiful handblown glass bird feeder (I got one at Kmart for $25) and a bird identification book? You could throw in a packet of bird and butterfly wildflower seeds to make it even more special.

Unlike the message from Forrest Gump, life isn’t just like a box of chocolates for my mom. Life IS a box of chocolates. Buying her sweet stuff is a no-brainer. But why not kick it up a little with a decadent chocolate cookbook. I like “Pure Chocolate,” by Fran Bigelow, available at Ingrid’s German Shop.

For my flavorful friends and family, I always love giving cookbooks as gifts. My current favorite is “Harvest” by Stonewall Kitchen founders Jonathan King and Jim Stott and their friend Kathy Gunst. But giving a book on its own seems a little blah, so I suggest pairing it with fun kitchen gadgets – the options are endless at Bed, Bath & Beyond or World Over Imports in Bangor, but I also love Rooster Brother in Ellsworth and The Good Table in Belfast. The Store-Ampersand in Orono has cute stainless colanders that you can fill to make a great “gift basket.”

Say cooking isn’t her thing. Then what? Well, shoes, of course. For fashion-savvy moms, I can’t think of a better gift – you won’t offend her if you get the wrong size, and there are so many options from which to choose this spring, you really can’t go wrong. I’m drawn to the sequined mules at The Grasshopper Shop (employee Stefanie Lewis bought a pair in Vegas at Christmastime, and the crew liked them so much, they started carrying them). If you hurry, you can still get them for 25 percent off their $28 price tag. Throw in a gift certificate for a pedicure, or a pumice stone, foot soak and bright nail polish, and you’ve got a gift that will sweep her off her feet.

Jewelry is always a safe option, but it’s usually a bit expensive. Why not try the Murano glass necklaces and bracelets at Ingrid’s German Shop in Bangor. Your mom won’t see herself coming and going, something that can’t be said for a Tiffany’s bracelet.

It’s my belief that pregnant women deserve the royal treatment, especially on Mother’s Day. Show your favorite mom-to-be how much you care by treating her to a prenatal massage, sending her to a prenatal yoga class (Full Circle Yoga in Orono offers classes), or just buying her a sassy T-shirt – I like Fortune Tees, which come in a Chinese food take-out box and have cute sayings such as, “Sleepless nights are in my near future,” or “A baby boy is in my near future.” They cost $24 for cap sleeve, $25 for long sleeve, and are available at www.fortuneteeshirts.com.

Whether you’re buying for a mom-to-be or your 80-year-old grandma, try to tailor your gift to her interests, not yours. Today’s the day to spoil her – she’d do the same for you, after all.

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. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.

Hed: Mom’s the word

Drophed: As her special day approaches, find distinctive gifts that smother your mother with love

Venetian glass jewelry, $22.50 for heart pendant on velvet ribbon, $24.95 for beaded necklace, at Ingrid’s German Shop in Bangor

Restricted shoes, $28 at The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor; pumice brush, $3.99, Aura Cacia Organics sea salt soak, $3.59, both at The Store/Ampersand in Orono; L’Oreal nail polish, $4.29 at Kmart

Handblown glass bird feeder, $24.95 at Kmart

“Harvest” cookbook, $30 at bookstores; stainless steel colander, $24, whisk and peeler, all at The Store/Ampersand in Orono