For many of us, Mother’s Day is a complicated holiday; participants are often filled with both appreciation and anxiety leading up to the special day. Finding the perfect way to celebrate one of the most important women in our lives is a daunting task, and it can be hard to feel as though our plans measure up to expectations. However, it’s important to remember that we don’t need to overcomplicate things; a thoughtful gesture or gift is usually enough to show our maternal figures how much we care. To help you decide how you’re going to thank your mom for everything she does throughout the year, I’ve compiled a list of 10 ways to show her your appreciation this Mother’s Day. 

Cook a Meal

Oftentimes, the responsibility of cooking for the household falls on mothers. Three meals a day can be overwhelming and time-consuming, so giving her a break for Mother’s Day is an excellent way to show your mom that you appreciate her hard work. Whether you make breakfast in bed, a mouthwatering dinner, or a decadent dessert, cooking for your mother is something she’ll be sure to enjoy. Besides, it’s not a bad idea to take on more responsibility in the kitchen even when it isn’t Mother’s Day. 

Take a Hike 

Gallatin Valley is the perfect place for mountain activities all year long, but springtime hikes are always some of the most rewarding. If your mom loves the outdoors, take her and the family on a rejuvenating hike through Bozeman’s beautiful mountains. The “M,” Hyalite Creek Trail, and Grotto Falls are some of the many beautiful hikes with moderate intensity in the area, perfect for a gratifying bonding experience for the whole family. 

Pack a Picnic 

If the weather allows, there are plenty of stunning spots ideal for a relaxing picnic in the outdoors. Whether you take a hike and have lunch at the end, bring some food to one of the valley’s open plains, or even lay a blanket down in your backyard, a picnic can be a creative way to spend time together. A fun activity for the whole family, this is an easy way to get outside and enjoy this spring holiday. Your mom will likely appreciate your taking responsibility for cooking, and the opportunity to soak in beautiful Montana springtime.

Deliver  Flowers

There’s a reason flowers are a classic Mother’s Day gift; they’re the perfect pop of color for springtime and something your mom can admire for days. Besides that, the bouquet options are endless, giving you room to select the flowers and colors that your mom will enjoy the most. Roses, tulips, and lilies are the most common choices, representing messages of respect and care. Although it would be ideal to give your mom these flowers in person, sometimes distance or scheduling makes a personal delivery impossible. In these cases, companies such as local Wild Blume, Labellum, and Bouquets and More can deliver stunning bouquets right to your mom’s front door. 

Go Out to Eat

Bozeman is full of diverse and delicious restaurants perfect for treating your mom this Mother’s Day. If nobody has time to cook this year, you can still ensure that your mom doesn’t have to worry about planning yet another home-cooked meal. There are options for every price range around town, from a fancy Italian meal at Blackbird to the various options available at the Bozeman Food Truck Park on West Babcock Street. It’s always fun to get out of the house and try some new foods, and your mom is sure to enjoy the excuse to get away from cooking and spend some time with the family.

Book a Spa Appointment 

If your mom struggles to carve time out of her busy schedule to pamper herself, help her relax by booking her a spa appointment. Services from massages to mani-pedis are available in various locations around Bozeman, and can make for a calming Mother’s Day afternoon. You can even book a dual appointment for you and your mom to attend together for some extra bonding time. 

Visit the Museum of the Rockies

Sure to provide engaging, educational experiences throughout the year, a Mother’s Day trip to Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies can be a fun way to learn something new. This season’s rotating exhibit is currently housing “Sue: The T. rex Experience,” in which a cast of the world’s most complete T. rex specimen dazzles patrons. This once-in-a-lifetime exhibit is only available until early fall, so make sure you and your mom take advantage of the opportunity while it’s still here.   

Go Shopping

It can seem like our moms go shopping a lot, but their shopping sprees tend to be exclusively focused on household necessities and items for the family, almost never concentrating on themselves. Give your mom the opportunity to get a few things just for her this Mother’s Day by taking her shopping — your treat. Downtown Bozeman is full of unique shops perfect for picking up some fun trinkets, fashionable clothes, and everything in between. You can even make a day of it and grab something to eat while you’re out. Your mom will love being able to take some time to think about herself, and exploring Bozeman’s numerous stores makes for an enjoyable day for everyone. 

Create a Gift Basket

For the ultimate custom gift, put together a unique gift basket filled with your mom’s favorite goodies, self-care products, florals, and more. With endless room to find the items your mom loves the most, she’ll be sure to appreciate all the thought that goes into crafting the perfect basket. Pick up some chocolate, spa essentials, small trinkets, and demonstrate how well you know your mom this Mother’s Day. 

Just Ask! 

Nobody knows what your mom would like for Mother’s Day better than the woman herself, so it’s worth asking if she has in mind any specific ways she’d like to be celebrated. Maybe there’s a task she’d like to have done, a certain meal she’d like to eat, or an activity she wants to do (or something she’d like to avoid). It’s likely that your mom would like to see you take the initiative to plan something special for her yourself, but asking about what she’d like can show her how much you value her opinions. As long as your plans are thoughtful, your mom will cherish any effort you put in to making her feel special not only on Mother’s Day, but all year long.