More and more often I turn to Etsy.com when I need a special gift but don’t want something too corny.  When Paul and I had our 10-year anniversary, he chose me a pair of earrings from Etsy, because he knew I’d like just about anything he found there—and that he’d be likely to avoid the dreaded heart pendant the stores are always pushing on bewildered guys.

For Mother’s Day, Etsy is a great place to find a gift that doesn’t suggest that the giver chose it at random from the “Mother’s Day Specials!” flier that came from the department store.

Nest and egg themes just SCREAM motherhood to me.  Or maybe that is the children screaming.  These birthstone nest earrings are wonderful.  If that particular listing is sold out, don’t worry:  there may be more in the shop.  I can see so many fun choices to be made here:  MY birthstone?  the May birthstone, for Mother’s Day?  the kids’ birthstones, and I can wear the two earrings of the children currently most in favor?

I love these postcard mugs soooo much.  On one side you can pick from postcardy phrases:  Love You, Thinking of You, Miss You, Wish You Were Here, Hi, or a heart.  On the other side, which looks like the back of a postcard, the artist will write your mom’s address and a message (up to 120 characters) to your mom.  Well, it doesn’t have to be your mom.  It can be to you!  Or to me!  If this particular one is sold, there may be more in the shop.

I am not sure I could bring myself to write in such a pretty journal.  There are more choices and also some gorgeous gift tags in the shop.  (I emailed the seller and she says she’s going to be adding more small journals soon.)

OMGosh, is this SO PRETTY??  Perfect for spring.  And in fact, I see the name of the necklace is Think Spring.  There’s a matching bracelet, too, and other choices in the shop.

I love basically every item in this shop, including jewelry for astrological signs that aren’t even mine (I kind of want the Gemini necklace because it makes me think of my twins), but these rubber ducky earrings seem particularly Mother’s Dayish.

And how about a heartfelt card to go with your gift?  This one thanks mom for not eating you as many mothers in the animal kingdom might have!  Really, she deserves thanks for that, especially when you were so plump and soft and delicious and your toes were the size of corn niblets.  Would you prefer one with a drawing of a uterus?  Good news!  Octopii?  Sure!  There are TONS of other choices in TONS of different styles—just search “Mother’s Day cards” on Etsy.