Homemade Artwork
Why buy expensive flowers or jewelry when a self-portrait made of macaroni, construction paper, and rubber cement will make Mom just as happy? Not only does handcrafted art say "I love you" in the most heartfelt way, but it's also potentially lucrative. Say your ballpoint-and-crayon sketch of the family cat becomes a cultural icon, like the pieces brilliantly exhibited in The American Century. Next thing, you and Mom will be jetting off to foreign capitals for banquets and awards ceremonies. And you were just going to get her a bunch of carnations. For shame...
Book of Poetry
Moms love poetry! You can't miss with a collection of Keats or Frost or maybe even some Dylan Thomas. Just steer clear of poetry by aliens (or Charles Bukowski). Seems there's a particularly odiferous alien race called Vogons who write some of the worst poetry in the universe. We learned this in Douglas Adams's landmark 1979 novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Ever since, we've been looking forward to more handy tidbits of advice from Adams and, as luck would have it, fact is now nipping at the heels of fiction with the launch of the online Hitchhiker's Guide.
Old Movies
Casablanca. Gone with the Wind. West Side Story. Very few mothers can resist curling up on the couch with a mug of instant gourmet coffee and a classic film in the VCR. Smart sons and daughters will go one better, however, and spring for some really old movies. Check out the Smithsonian's Origins of American Animation for clips and commentary on shorts from 1900-1921. Mom will love the herky-jerky hilarity of these early historical films!
Makeover
Say Mom is a big Mozart aficionado. Sure, you could give her a recording of one of his operas, or spring for some concert tickets. You could even go wild and buy Mom a grand piano. But why not be creative this Mother's Day and give the ultimate Mozartian gift--a goodie bag containing pancake makeup, rouge, and an exceedingly large powdered wig! You'll beam with pride as Mom strolls down the boulevard dolled up like an 18th-century courtesan.
Skateboard
Does your mother complain that she needs to "be more active"? Just because she's a mom doesn't mean she can't turn it up a notch. How about a giving her a new skateboard? Imagine the fun mom will have performing backside ollies and nose grinds. The folks at Shred Betty appreciate chicks who thrash--Mom can stop by the site to learn the latest slang and get hip to the dopest fashions. Who knows? Mom might rip so hard that she'll be compelled to drain the pool and join M.A.P.S (Mothers Against Poser Skaters).
Ideal Husband
Who exactly is the "ideal husband?" Someone who listens and understands? A man who cooks and cleans? A guy with humble intelligence and a wonderful sense of humor? Well, for our purposes, An Ideal Husband is simply the latest Oliver Parker film being screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival. After giving your mom an ideal husband, why not treat her to a fabulous hairstyling by The Barber of Siberia?
Valentino Dress
If you think a $1,000 Valentino dress is out of your price range, think again. Aspiring fashion plates have learned that Manhattan's "off-price" clothing stores can save you a pretty penny. And learning when and where to find designer garments at Old Navy prices is as easy as reading The New York Observer, a weekly publication that covers the ins and outs of the Big Apple with engaging articles and insightful opinions.
Sunglasses and Fake Mustache
Moms are notoriously duplicitous--one minute they're talking to grandma on the phone, the next minute they're rifling through your closet looking for their Mother's Day gift. If this sounds like someone you know, check out Spy Letters of the American Revolution, a site that chronicles the techniques and methods used by operatives during the American Revolution. Happy Mother's Day, Benedict Arnold!
If you know of any timely, informative, or wacky web sites, please drop us a note. Also, feel free to send any general thoughts or comments about Picks.