Gifts for Moms and Grads
Picture jewels, skin care, stories and the right time
By Robyn Spizman Gerson
It’s almost Mother’s Day, and graduations are right around the corner. From gift cards for your graduates’ favorite places to gifts that are useful, practical and purposeful, there are endless choices. Match your gift recipient with something she or he values and you’ll have a can’t-miss gift.
Here are some ideas to get your started.
Picture this — For a picture-perfect gift, bring your personal snapshots to Chuck Wolf’s Photo Design Bar (www.photodesignbar.com) and transform them into works of art, from beautiful canvases to restored family treasures. Photo Bar designers are also ready to help you in a flash. Buy a frame and get a print free or select from the many photo options to create gifts on the run. It’s a perfect way to say I love you to Mom and to create lasting keepsakes that will preserve lifelong memories. It’s also an ideal way to celebrate your graduate and design gifts that will remind your graduate of home sweet home.
For a jewel of a mom — I have the pleasure of working with ESBE Designs (www.esbedesigns.com). ESBE presents an on-trend, absolutely gorgeous collection of jewels. For fabulous selections for Mother’s Day, visit the virtual catalog at www.esbejewelry.com. ESBE is perfect for any age, and its signature piece is something every mom will love. Featured in the Baroque Collection, the handmade endless-faceted hematite necklace is perfect for day or evening and will give any mom that special sparkle she deserves. Just layer it up and have fun.
Like a fox — If your mom is a fashionista but doesn’t want you to spend too much, check out Fox’s (www.foxs.com) Designer Off-Price Boutique in Buckhead on Roswell Road. Find fabulous, in-style fashions, shoes, handbags and more at savings that will put a smile on any mom’s face and yours, too. Gift cards are available and give the gift of choice.
For the on-the-go new mom — New moms will appreciate stylish diaper bags that double as handbags (www.twelvelittle.com).
Let’s face it — Visit Julian’s Cosmetics + Skincare (www.julianscosmetics.com) at Town Brookhaven. It offers a unique shopping experience in a boutique environment with high-quality cosmetics and skin care products, as well as professional spa and makeup application services. Check out cosmetics brands such as Obagi, Smashbox, Revison and Bliss.
For the beach-loving mom — Dive into Vikki Australia (www.vikkiaustralia.com) for fabulous and fashionable tops and wraps from pool side to beach side.
For the new mom — Give the new mom the gift of special bonding time with her little tot. Prince Lionheart’s (www.princelionheart.com) DevelopMat, Everywhere playMAT and Back to Sleep Bear will ensure that Mom and her bundle of joy spend plenty of quality time together engaging in creative, imaginative play and outdoor activities.
Ready to label — Mom will love get-organized personalized gifts for the entire family as featured on “The View” and “Today” and in InStyle magazine. Mabel’s Labels (www.mabelslabels.com) is the award-winning creator of durable labels by four moms and is a celebrity-loved phenomenon, with its line expanding to include child safety products, household labels and clever solutions moms love. These reusable stickers and assorted personalized name stickers and luggage tags make it easy to identify belongings, household goods and even baked goodies customized for Mom with her signature style.
Carry on — For the traveling mom, check out Olympia Luggage (www.luggageamerica.com). This brand is the luggage to the stars, as seen in many award show gift bags. It’s durable and stylish. Looking for a deal? Olympia is offering 75 percent off when you use the code “jjolympia22.”
Indulge Mom — For the mom who loves an array of skin care lotions and products that soothe the skin and make a difference, check out RX Clinical Cosmeceuticals (www.rxclinical.net). This highly popular line is hot in Hollywood. Mention the Mother’s Day gifting article for a courtesy price.
Here’s a hug from Grandma — Frecklebox (www.frecklebox.com) is a fabulous site where you can purchase one-of-a-kind personalized gifts for children. Check out my new Frecklebox personalized storybook, “The Hug Book,” which is a personalized story about grandparents sending hugs to a special grandchild. This personalized book includes the child’s name and yours (Bubbe, Mimi, Grandma, you name it) and is completed within 48 hours. You select the shipping. All manufacturing is done in the good old USA.
For the bargain-loving mom — The Krazy Coupon Lady (www.thekrazycouponlady.com) is the leading online destination for up-to-the-minute coupons, deals and money-saving shopping 
strategies. Founders Heather Wheeler and Joanie Demer are also co-authors of a great gift for Mom, the best-selling book “Pick Another Check Out Lane, Honey,” which is available in print and ebook versions.
B.D. Jeffries (www.bdjeffries.com) — This fabulous Buckhead store is filled with a treasure-trove of beautiful gifts from A to Z that moms will enjoy. Favorites include gorgeous décor and entertaining items, Longchamp bags, an array of beautiful books, home accessories, antiques and exquisite décor statements.
Write away — No need for a paper chase. How about ordering custom stationery for Mom by Sweet Jane Paperie (www.sweetjanepaperie.com)? You’ll love the stationery with its flair online, or check out Atlanta’s supersources, such as Swoozies (www.swoozies.com) and Paces Paper’s gifts galore right in store. Be sure to add a thank-you note and show an attitude of gratitude for Mom.
A gift that’s a real find — Check out www.thetileapp.com. Mom or your graduate will never lose anything again with the help of this handy tile. Do you know where your keys are? Tile does. For $25, attach a tile to anything, and with the help of this app, you’ll be able to locate it with your phone. It’s a great gift for the grad on the go or anyone who is memory-challenged.
Timeout for the graduate — For a cool gift, look into the latest Bedol water watches (www.bedolwhatsnext.com). There’s no need for batteries: These watches and clocks run on water. You have a choice of many fashionable colors, as seen on many high-profile, fashion-forward celebrities. Grads will love this smart way to tell time.
Perfect personalization — Your grad will love the assortment of personalized T-shirts and hoodies with the grad’s name, initials, hometown or even ZIP code on them from Just Jen (www.justjen.com), a creative way to personalize something special. Just name it. Just Jen even can do it in sparkling crystals.
Robyn Spizman Gerson (www.robynspizman.com) is the New York Times best-selling author of “When Words Matter Most” and “Make It Memorable.” She is also a communications professional and a well-known media personality, having appeared often on “Atlanta and Company” and on NBC’s “Today” show.
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