This Sunday, May 9,  is Mothers Day.

Don’t forget mom. Seven years ago my mom died on the day before Mothers Day. I’ll remember her in my own special way.

If you don’t take mom out to breakfast or dinner, you better cook for her. And, please, don’t make her clean up or go grocery shopping.

Here are some ideas:

Moms appreciate flowers. Almost every store has deals on flowers. Buy them early. Don’t wait until Sunday at 3 p.m. or you’ll go to the store – any store – and leave empty handed.

Maybe your mother has everything; many moms do. You can honor your mom by asking what her favorite non-profit organization is and make a donation in her honor.

If your mom is active, take her on a hike and bring along to picnic lunch that you packed. Leave behind mayonnaise laden foods.

Bring togther your friends’ moms and you and your friends can make brunch or a buffet lunch. The moms can get to know each other and you can surprise them with your culinary talents or penchant for takeout served on pretty dishes. Give each mom a single rose in a rosebud vase.

Check out Tucson’s grocery stores for Mothers Day ideas:

Fry’s
Fry’s has 12 stems of roses for $8.88 (with your VIP card) without a vase; mini roses in a polka dot bag for $8.88; pretty chocolate dipped strawberries for $9.99/pound. What about ham sandwiches on croissants for your hike/picnic? Pick up spiral ham for 99 cents/pound. Let mom know you really do like your veggies when grilling fresh asparagus drizzled with lemon butter, corn on the cob, and portabella mushrooms with BBQ sauce.

Sunflower Market
On Saturday, May 8, mom can enjoy Spa Day at the Speedway, Broadway, and 1st Avenue locations. The details aren’t available but get ready to be pampered and treated. Who doesn’t like that? Here you can buy a bushel of sunflowers for $10.99 or a bursting bouquet for $7.99 or treat mom to surf & turf, ribeye steak & lobster tails. She could get used to that.

Food City
Get creative and decorate a cake for mom (while supplies last) for only $5 or invite the crowd and pick up a beautifully and professionally decorated ¼ sheet cake for $14.99.

Safeway
I love tulips! Safeway has them for  $6.99 (club price) or think more long lasting and pick up elegant orchids in a 4-inch pot ($19.99). You can also decorate a cake her too if you plan early ($4.99). Safeway also has a variety of gift baskets and gift cards.

Albertsons
Is mom a cookie monster? Get her a 12-inch freshly baked cookie decorated with a We HEART Mom. Flowers are here ranging from $4.99 to $39.99. If mom’s a carnivore, consider making a petite sirloin steak where you can buy one and get one free.

Blackberries!
It must be blackberry season because Fry’s sells blackberries for $1/box, Sunflower for 88cents/box,  and Albertson for $3.99/box. The price discrepancy is amazing.

Stamp Out Hunger Day – May 8
While at the grocery store, buy some extra non-perishables like canned fruits & vegetables, pasta & rice, and peanut butter. Put them in a bag and leave by your mailbox. Your mail carrier will pick it up and deliver to the Community Food Bank. Help feed southern Arizona’s hungry.