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Let’s hear it for mom -- the wonderful woman who gave you life, bandaged your hurt knees and feelings and has just plain listened to you for all these years! What better way to show your gratitude than with a thoughtful gift that she would really appreciate from her daughter, the lawyer or her son, the dot-commer. So, go ahead and give your mom the best Mother's Day she's ever had!

Need help finding a gift? Talk to us. We’ve got a motherlode of ideas for you.

Janet Bennett, shopping producer for washingtonpost.com, talks about gift ideas for Mother's Day.

Need more ideas on what to do for Mother's Day? Check out the Entertainment Guide's Mother's Day Guide.

Below the transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Janet Bennett: Though the lady may protest that she doesn't want or need a thing, we know better. So, with only a few more shopping days to search for a small token of your appreciation, let's talk about what to get Mom and where to find it.

Somewhere, USA: Non-gardener: My mother is an avid gardener and it seems like she has all the usual things, planting stool, potting bench, kneeling pad, rubber shoes, tools, etc. Anything unusual that might perk her interest?

Janet Bennett: Hmm. I love going to Smith & Hawken to poke around. I don't know how expensive it is, but they have the cutest yellow wheelbarrow that your mom could use for gardening chores or as a fun planter. At any rate, there's always something in that store that will appeal to the heart of a gardener. So, a gift certificate could work, too!

Bethesda, Md.: We are going to tell my parents on Sunday that we're expecting their first grandchild. What are some cute gift ideas to tie into the theme?

Janet Bennett: Congratulations, Bethesda. Does your mother know how to knit? Would she like to learn? If so, how about knitting needles and some yarn and if she doesn't know how to knit, how about a course? Try Fiberworks.

Alexandria, Va.: I'm looking for jade earrings/pendant and not sure where to look. Also hoping to keep the price reasonable. I was thinking the Silver Parrot in Old Town but they tend to be on the expensive side. . . any suggestions?

Janet Bennett: I'm a fan of the Sundance Catalog (that's sundancecatalog.com), which offers a nice selection of jewelry. You could check that out. An alternative would be to try Arise in Takoma Park, which specializes in Asian arts.

Manchester, N.H.: Do you think Mother's Day is just a commercial rip off?

Janet Bennett: No, I don't think so and the reason why is because it's so important to many mothers, mine included.

Somewhere, USA: 48-Year-Old-Man: If I merely send my mother a card for Mother's day is that enough?

I always provide her with gifts on her birthday and Chanuka, and she is quite wealthy and doesn't need anything from her kids except love.

Janet Bennett: Hi, Somewhere, USA,

I'd say it depends on your mother. I think a card is perfectly wonderful and would be delighted to get one.

Arlington, Va.: Its my wife's first Mother's day as an honoree. I am joining a group of fathers who are taking their respective little ones out of moms' way for half the day. I would like to also give my wife a gift certificate to a spa. Can you recommend any in the Arlington/Alexandria/Fairfax area that would offer massages, manicures, facials, etc.?

Thanks in advance! I know I'm a little late in the planning!!

Janet Bennett: Nice going, Dad.

Serenity Day Spa, which has locations in the District, Alexandria and Herndon, has some pretty fabulous packages just for Mother's Day. There's the Breakfast In Bed package that includes an oatmeal mask and a massage and a Mother Nature package that offers a manicure and a body wrap and other services as well. They also have a great peppermint pedicure.

Washington, D.C.: What is a good gift idea for a Mother who travels for work a lot? I am trying to think of something functional and compact. Either something that would make travelling less of a hassle or to make the barren hotel rooms more homey.

Thanks!

Janet Bennett: What about one of those fancy candles with some luscious fragrance for her to light in one of those unglamorous hotel rooms? Bluemercury in Georgetown carries a brand called Diptyque, which comes in scents like freesia and sandalwood.
Origins has one called Clean Sheets.

Fairfax, Va.: Have you heard about these "gel socks" things? Supposedly they're the Big Thing this year for Mother's Day ... what are they, what do they do, and where might one find them? Oh, and are they REALLY a good thing to get, or just a fad that won't really do much?

Janet Bennett: They are socks with a gel lining that has built-in
blend of mineral and jojoba oils for moisturizing dry and cracked feet. I hear you can find them at Linens & Things. Sounds like a good thing to me.

Suggestions for Bethesda, Md.: The big bookstores around in the area (Borders, Barnes & Noble) all have cute books on grandparenting, the importance of grandparenting, scrapbooks and other keepsakes for grandparents, calendars for grandparents, etc. She could get a few things like that to make the announcement special!

Also, Hallmark has Mother's Day cards that say "For your first Mother's Day as a Grandmother" - give her one of those and watch her face as she opens it up and makes the connection!

Janet Bennett: Good suggestions for you, Bethesda.

Alexandria, Va.: Where is Fiberworks, and do they have a website? I'm interested in taking knitting classes myself.

Janet Bennett: It's in Ashton, MD, and their phone number is 301.774.9031.
Website: http://www.fiberworks4yarn.com/

Washington, D.C.: I have a friend who's pregnant with her second child. Where can I find the hippest maternity clothes in town?

Janet Bennett: The suggestions here are gap.com and pea in the pod.

Herndon, Va.: My wife requested a picnic lunch, any ideas where I can get a premade picnic lunch?

Janet Bennett: Herndon,

What a nice idea! Fresh Fields does picnics for Wolf Trap, so there's an option. Or do you have a local deli/ethnic food store that your wife likes? Hummus and middle eastern delicacies would be yummy.

Baltimore, Md.: Hi, my mother has just lost a son and I lost a brother. I am the only child she has now. I would like to make sure she feels really really special this Mother's day, since it will just be me this time. My mom is in her fifties, no hobbies. I know it's a broad question, but any suggestions to uplift her spirit? Thanks.

Janet Bennett: That's a tough one because time is going to be the best solution. Spend time with her and not only on Mother's Day. Sorry about your loss.

Washington, D.C.: Any ideas for something nice for a mom who has problems with arthritis - something that could help ease the pain (those gel socks sounded interesting)

Janet Bennett: I wonder if you could treat her to some yoga classes. Have you by any chance looked at the Arthritis Foundation site?
http://www.arthritis.org/

Takoma Park, Md.: I was thinking of picking up some flowers for mom and dropping them by her work to surprise her this week...but am not sure what kinds are good. Any nice blooms in season that will last a few days?

Janet Bennett: Peonies are fabulous. Take a look for yourself on the first page of the Washington Post Home section for tomorrow.

Suggestion For Hip Maternity Clothes: OldNavy.com also has maternity clothes, some of which are quite affordable -- and if they don't fit of your friend doesn't like them, she can return them to an Old Navy store, which is really convenient.

Janet Bennett: More ideas for the person in search of hip maternity clothes

Landover, Md.: My boyfriend's 88 year old grandmother had surgery on her leg a week ago and is now in a rehabilitory facility. She lives with his parents, but they left for the Philippines (it's been planned since last Fall) and will be gone for another three weeks. We visit her daily, but yesterday she expressed how lonely and scared she was staying there. Once she's discharged early next week, she'll be off to stay with one of her other children out of state, and we probably won't see her except for weekends. We'd really like to make this Mother's Day particularly special for her. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Janet Bennett: How about getting her a great-looking picture frame (Pottery Barn is chockablock with them) and putting a photo of the two of you in it.

Washington, D.C.: I was struck by the Food section article on one woman's recipe collection. I inherited my grandmother and great-grandmother's recipe boxes (dating back to the 1890s). Where can I find a pretty recipe box as a gift? I'm thinking of cataloging my other grandmother's recipes for her as a Mother's Day gift.

Janet Bennett: What a great idea! I would check out what Sur La Table has in the way of recipe boxes. You might also look for one in an antique store.

Washington, D.C.: Where are good places to get jewelry or pottery made by local artists? My mother has everything and I want to ensure that she does not already have what I give her.

Janet Bennett: Have you been to the Eastern Market? Also, Sansar in Bethesda has a nice selection of jewelry and pottery, but it's not necessarily by local artists. Kaur in Adams-Morgan has some jewelry that I'm fairly sure is made by local artists.

Washington, D.C.: Completely Stumped in D.C.: PLEASE help!

My mother is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to buy for. If you can come up with an idea for her for Mother's Day, my husband and I would be eternally grateful!

Mom is a beautiful, stylish, very busy, 53-year old professional in NY/NJ. (So things like gift certificates for spa services or restaurants don't usually work, since we live 250 miles apart - and she usually doesn't have enough time to enjoy them anyway.)

She travels for business quite a bit, but I've already given her several travel-related things like an engraved dual-time zone clock, an embroidered silk jewelry roll, etc.

She is most decidedly NOT into collectibles, figurines, or sentimental knick-knacks (which, incidentally, my mother-in-law adores, so that makes her much easier!)

Se's very picky in terms of perfumes, makeup, and the like, so I usually don't go there.

In fact, just about the only thing I ever buy for her is clothing, since we have very similar taste in fashion - but I can't stand the thought of giving her yet ANOTHER blouse, sweater, or scarf as I seem to do for every occasion!

Any ideas for something different? Price range is ideally around $50, but at this point, I'll spend more if I have to! Thank you!

Janet Bennett: Sylene's in Bethesda, which sells mostly lingerie, has some very cute makeup bags in pink canvas. They come in all sizes and they're extremely useful for a multitude of purposes. You can never have too many of them.

For Washington, D.C.: For pottery or jewelry by local artists, go to the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria.

Janet Bennett: For the person in search of pottery and jewelry by local artists ...

Washington, D.C.: My Mom lives in Pittsburgh, PA in a small apartment. I would like to get her a gift certificate for maid service -- preferrably one that does ironing and cooking, but not necessarily. Any suggestions?

Janet Bennett: Are you looking for other options, besides maid service? If so, does she like baseball. The new stadium in Pittsburgh is supposed to be terrific; why not get her tickets to a ballgame?

Betheda, Md.: PLEASE HELP ME! I'm stumped for what to get my mom this year, and I really want to do something special since she lost her mom this past fall. She's in her 60's - likes books, jewelry, her children & grandchildren, movies. Does this give you any ideas?

Janet Bennett: There's a book out called "Wise Women" by Joyce Tenneson, which is a book of portraits and interviews of famous and/or remarkable women between the ages of 59 and 101. It's available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Alexandria, Va.: Hi Janet,

Typical dilemma, my mother has absolutely everything and then some. I try to "out-do" myself every year with the mother's day gift. I am thinking a really nice straw hat this year. Any ideas on where to go for something very unique? Thanks.

Janet Bennett: Do you know about Proper Topper, which has locations in Georgetown and Dupont Circle? They have a big selection of all different kinds of hats (lots of straw this spring), and I always can find one I can't live without.

Vienna, Va.: Is it proper to give an expectant mother gifts on Mother's Day or do you have to wait until after the baby arrives?

Janet Bennett: I think I might wait until the baby arrives.

Texas: Book Suggestion for African American mothers: Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats, photos by N. Michael Cunningham with foreword by Maya Angelou. - Nani

Janet Bennett: Thanks, Texas. That's a first-rate suggestion.

Alexandria, Va.: I have a beautiful silver locket for my mom, but I depserately need to know where I can get photos made that are small enough! All the studios around here do wallet size... no smaller. Help! The locket is 1x1.5 inches (oval).

Janet Bennett: I thought places like MotoPhoto could do most anything to manipulate the size of a photo. Hmm. There's a place in Georgetown called Chrome. It's expensive, I know, but it might be worth a call.

Arlington, Va.: Hi! Just a comment! I have found some WONDERFUL gifts through Red Envelope. No - I don't work for them! (catalogue and online (www.redenvelope.com) They have pretty much everything - I'm a big fab of the cute gardening bags with tools included. They also have an awesome 18 piece bbq utensil kit - for mamas who like to grill. Great customer service too!

Janet Bennett: Thanks for your suggestion, Arlington. I'm a fan of Red Envelope, too.

Portland, Ore.: For the person who asked about gifts for a mom with arthritis--

Rice sock -- basically just rice in a fabric bag that you heat in a microwave for a few minutes. Very comforting to wrap around an aching joint. Find instructions on www.arthritisinsight.com/living/ricesock.html
if you'd like to make one

Janet Bennett: For the mom with arthritis, here's an idea:

Annapolis, Md.: Help! Thought I had an extra week for Mother's Day gift to be sent out of state. Am looking for a yellow umbrella specifically. Any ideas? Online or catalog would be especially helpful.
Thanks!

Janet Bennett: A yellow umbrella, eh? The Museum of Modern Art has fun umbrellas, but I don't remember seeing anything in yellow.

Reston, Va.: I'd like ideas for my wife from myself and my kids. The kids (ages 12, 6 & 4) would like to give something that she can unwrap and be especially from them. I would like to get her jewelry. I think she would most like a day off. Can you help?

Janet Bennett: I think anything the kids could make for her would be a delight, and they might have fun doing it, too. As for the day off, why don't you write her an i.o.u. for a day sometime soon and you take the kids and send her to a spa or away for the day to visit friends.

Maryland: Target had cute yellow umbrellas with a duck head at the base of the handle!

Janet Bennett: For the person iso yellow umbrellas..

Janet Bennett: Great discussion, everyone. Thanks for all your good questions. But gotta go now. Need to find something for my mother!

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