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Mother’s Day A Special Publication of
Mother’s Day
2 - Missoulian, Sunday, April 26, 2015
The secret to Mother’s Day gifting success: Give time, not stuff (BPT) - She nursed you through countless cases of childhood sniffles, taught you to tie your shoes and make a mean omelet, and she’s still your go-to source for good advice and your favorite home-baked cookies. Are you really going to just give Mom a pair of socks and some flowers for Mother’s Day? You can do better than that. In the tradition of a current pop-culture meme, here’s a “give this, not that” list of Mother’s Day ideas: Give: Your time. Last year, 44 percent of mothers surveyed by online deal site PriceGrabber said they wanted quality time with their family for Mother’s Day. Whether your family includes adult children who live and work far from their childhood home (and Mom) or a busy family with young children, it can be hard to find time to spend with each other on a regular basis. On Mother’s Day, make a point of devoting the day to Mom. Whatever you choose to do together - dine out, visit a botanical garden or just hang out at home - you’ll be giving her the gift she wants most: time with you. Don’t give: Stuff. There’s a difference between a thoughtful gift that has meaning to the recipient, and something clearly bought out of desperation just so the giver has something to hand over on Mother’s Day. Moms know the difference. Things like cowboy boots, sunglasses and even designer purses were among the items mothers said they didn’t want in a survey by Ebates. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy something she may not want. Put some thought into the gift a week or two before the big day so you can be sure you’re giving her something she really wants, like a piece of unique jewelry, her favorite bath products, or an attractive scarf.
Give: A great meal out. It’s easy to understand why dining out was on the list of most-wanted gifts for mothers in every geographic area surveyed by Ebates. What could make Mom happier than enjoying a great meal with her family? Not having to cook it herself or clean up afterward! Taking Mom out for meal is a time-honored Mother’s Day tradition and restaurants can be busy on the first Sunday of May. In fact, Chris Ciavarra, senior vice president of marketing for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, reports that Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for their restaurant locations across the country. When choosing a place to take Mom, look for a place that will please her palate with familiar flavors, good food and the kind of warm, comforting ambience she creates in her own dining room or kitchen.
Family-style restaurants like Cracker Barrel are a good choice for Mother’s Day because there’s something on the menu for everyone. Plus, when Mom’s done with her meal, she can pick out the perfect gift from the store’s collection of nostalgic items. Don’t give: Practical kitchen items. No matter how much Mom says she wants a new electric can opener or how much she needs a new set of pots and pans, don’t give these items on Mother’s Day. Moms are more than just the sum of the time they spend in the kitchen. If she really needs and wants those things, why not give them to her at some other time of year, for no other reason than she’s a great mother? Or, if you must give something kitchen-related for Mother’s Day, consider something that’s pretty and fun, too, like decorative serving ware.
Mother’s Day
Buy from a store that offers free gift wrapping services - like Cracker Barrel and it’s even easier to give a good-looking gift. Give: Gift cards. A gift card to her favorite store was another popular selection of moms surveyed by Ebates. But don’t think giving her a gift card is all you have to do. Research to find just the right card for her, and then offer to accompany her on a shopping excursion to her favorite store. That way, you’ll be giving her two things she wants most – a gift card and time spent with you. Don’t give: Technology. Do you really want to give Mom a smartphone that will be obsolete by next Mother’s Day? Or a tablet so complicated she’ll never figure out how to use it on her own? If your mother’s digitally inclined, chances are she already has the tech she needs and
“WE BROUGHT ZEYDA HOME. BECAUSE WE
BROUGHT HER TO
COMMUNITY.”
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wants. And if she doesn’t, trying to choose it for her can be like trying to pick a pet for someone else - never a good idea.
Instead, keep gift items simple, personal and nostalgic.
AT ANY OTHER HOSPITAL, BABY ZEYDA MAY NOT HAVE SURVIVED. But over three decades of experience have taught us that not every birth goes as planned. So, we had everything Zeyda needed very close at hand. And rushing her
to our neonatal intensive care unit meant just moving her into the next room.
T O DAY, Z E Y DA A N D H E R FA M I LY A R E T H R I V I N G.
BECAUSE CHOOSING WHERE YOUR BABY WILL BE BORN IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS CHOOSING YOUR DOCTOR.
Mother’s Day
4 - Missoulian, Sunday, April 26, 2015
Is ‘hockey mom’ the new ‘soccer mom?’ (BPT) - American hockey participation has greatly increased since the early 1990’s, according to USA Hockey, the governing body for organized amateur ice hockey in the U.S. More than just a game, experts say hockey develops skills on the ice that build a foundation for a lifetime. In addition to athletic prowess, the game promotes confidence, pride, focus and responsibility. In a country that already boasts soccer moms, Friday night lights and hoops
madness, why has hockey seen such unique growth? Speed and excitement: Hockey is fast paced, constantly changing and full of excitement. For children who grow up with smartphones, tablets and the instantaneous flow of information on social media, hockey is the sports equivalent of Twitter. Physical activity: Hockey provides great cardiovascular exercise. Just think,
players always get off the rink breathing heavy. It also builds strength, as skating engages muscles in a different way than running. The pros: The National Hockey League (NHL) has experienced considerable growth over the past 30 years, and in 2013, the League averaged more sellout crowds than professional basketball, with 15 markets averaging at least 100 percent capacity at home
Mother’s Day
games. As professional hockey grows, it creates a trickle-down effect that spreads to the college, high school and youth league level. Community support: Across the country, hockey programs are making it easier for kids of all ages and skill levels to join and enjoy the sport. The rink where teams play is often a focal point of community connection, igniting a strong passion, pride and loyalty which the entire community rallies around. “Growing up in Boston, hockey was a way of life for children and families, and it brought together my community in a way that nothing else could,” says NHL legend and NBC Sports analyst, Jeremy Roenick. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without the lessons I learned and the experiences I gained at Pilgrim Arena from coaches like
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my dad, Wally Roenick, Paul Kramer and Arthur Valicenti.” With thousands of hockey rinks across the U.S., some are in need of TLC. To support these community rinks and keep the spirit of hockey alive, Kraft has partnered with NHL, NHLPA, NBC Sports Group and USA Hockey to bring the Canadian-born Kraft Hockeyville program to the U.S. In searching for the country’s most passionate hockey community, Kraft will award a total of $425,000 in prizes to 10 communities to help breathe new life into their rinks, keeping them open for many more years to come while offering a place for young athletes to thrive. The lucky community named “Kraft Hockeyville USA” will get the chance to host an NHL PreSeason game at their rink - televised on
NBCSN - and the grand prize of $150,000 in arena upgrades. “The bonds communities form through local and youth sports make them stronger. Local hockey arenas provide a place for kids to learn, play and compete and communities to gather and rally together,” says Roenick.
to Glacier National Park
Yellowstone National Park
From the Crown of the Continent to Old Faithful’s doorstep. Join us on a journey from Yellowstone to Glacier and back again this summer in our May/June 2015 issue.
Give Mom the perfect Montana gift Subscribe today at MontanaMagazine.com/subscribe or call 1-888-666-8624
Mother’s Day
6 - Missoulian, Sunday, April 26, 2015
Moms in training: 3 sanity-saving tips for new mothers (BPT) - From feeding to diaper changing, new moms and dads are flooded with information to learn and decisions to make for their new bundles of joy. A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that nearly 75 percent of moms plan to return to work post-maternity leave. What many new moms may not yet fully realize is that becoming a mother is a full time job in and of itself. Like any profession, new moms deserve training, breaks and lots of support! Tammy Gold, parenting expert and author of the new book Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer, shares some easy tips mothers can use to help ease the transition into their new parenting role: Fill yourself up “No mother can give 100 percent of herself, 100 percent of the time, to her children or her partner,” Gold says. “Mom needs to remember what makes her who she is and what she needs emotionally and physically to live a complete life.” Filling yourself up can come from work, volunteering, taking classes, joining online groups, being in a book club, reading, hiking, walking or working out. Do whatever it takes to “fill you up” emotionally, mentally and physically
– apart from your children and family. Remember: happy mommy equals a happy baby! Crack the crying code When your baby cries, it can frustrate you, prevent you from sleeping, or even make you feel like crying yourself. Figuring out why your newborn is crying can ease a lot of stress. The main causes for infant crying typically include a dirty diaper, hunger, fatigue or being too hot. However, if these are not the issues, your baby could be suffering from gas, colic or reflux. Switching to the right baby formula or modifying your own diet if breastfeeding can fix all these issues. If you’re formula feeding, try switching your baby’s formula to a “sensitive” or “gentle” type formula. These formulas have less lactose and can help to reduce gas and colic. Remember: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly regulates infant formula to keep all babies safe. So, Store Brand
Formulas like Wal-Mart’s Parent’s Choice and Target’s Up & Up are nutritionally equivalent to name brands like Enfamil and Similac. By switching to store brands, families can save up to 50 percent, or up to $600 dollars a year, which can certainly help with mom’s stress level. Don’t compare “You are the best mother to your children,” Gold says. “It does not matter which moms work full time or which moms stay at home to run the ‘perfect’ home. Your children do not care what ‘other moms’ can manage or complete; they only care about you.” Believe in yourself and know that you are the best mother to your children. Be aware of the advice of others, but always trust your own gut, because you know what is best for your own children.
Mother’s Day
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Springtime in a vase: Creating the perfect floral arrangement By EARL HORLYK, Sioux City Journal Arranging a bouquet of purple boronia, Gail Pieper voiced regret that the evergreen shrub will only be in season until late May. “We only have them from now until around Mother’s Day,” the Gordon Drive Hy-Vee floral manager said, shaking her head. “It’s a shame since I love working with them. “I find working with flowers to be very soothing,” the self-taught floral arranger said. “It’s also a great way to express your creativity.” A gardener with multiple gardens, Pieper said she has always had a preference for working with springtime flowers like Easter lilies and Gerber daisies. “Brightly colored flowers always put me in the mood for spring,” she said. “Nothing lifts your spirit like a gorgeous floral display.” Still, Pieper said flower arranging is something anyone can do at home with everyday tools like scissors, knives and a wire cutter. Variety is the spice of life “Use a variety of flowers in an arrangement,” Pieper said. “They can be different types of flowers as well as different colors.”
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Keep things balanced Do you have a droopy, top-heavy flower? Pieper recommended investing in some wire decorations to prop up troublesome posies. “You can prop your flowers by wrapping them with wiring,” she said. “It can also add some extra shine to your arrangements.” Look in your veggie bin “For additional visual pop, I sometimes add a leafy vegetable like a brightly colored asparagus as a base,” Pieper said. “It gives an unusual look that really make your flowers stand out.” Think outside of the (cake) box “One of my favorite things to do is create a bouquet in the shape of a cake,” she noted. “It makes for a wonderful and eye-catching Easter centerpiece.” The Internet can be a creative tool “I’ve been doing this for so long that I sometimes dream about certain floral arrangements. My advice is to do a bit of research, put your own personal spin and create something totally original.”
According to Pieper, an unusual vase can be a great way to set your arrangement apart. “Instead of using a traditional vase, display your flowers in an antique bottle,” she suggested. Add a bit of bling A perfect finishing touch to a flower arrangement is add to add a little glitter to your bouquet. “Young girls, especially, like a little shimmer on flowers,” Pieper said, dusting a bouquet with shiny glitter from a jar. “This will allow your arrangement to have more pizzazz.” Extending the life of an arrangement Pieper said you can extend the beauty a bit by adding fresh water on a daily basis and keeping the bouquet out of direct sunlight. “After a long winter, flowers can be a terrific reminder that spring is finally here.”
Spoil your mom,
she deserves it!
the unusual
OPeN 7 DaYs a WeeK theimportmarket.com
201 W W. BROADWAY • MISSOULA, MT 406-728-2175
406-542-0309 bitterrootflowershop.com
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Living excellence every day. Missoula’s Village Health Care Center received 5 stars, the highest overall rating, from U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Nursing Homes.”
Celebrating Mom today and everyday at the Village Health Care Center
Located next to Community Medical Center. Call for a tour today!
www.villagehealthcare.com On same campus as Village Senior Residence
406-728-9162 A Platinum Service® network of providers
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2651 South Avenue West, Missoula