If you’re like me, you probably love the little gifts your kids make for you on Mother’s Day. I’ll never get tired of cards with hand prints, the heart-shaped rocks they find at the park, and the smudged cups of orange juice they almost spill as they try to bring me breakfast in bed. It’s so sweet to see the ways they show their love!

As a mom of three small children and a full-time lifestyle photographer, I also look forward to pampering myself on Mother’s Day. And while I love to be surprised, my hubby doesn’t mind when I share my ideas for how I want to celebrate. 

Here are some unique Mother’s Day gift ideas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to help you (and your family) start planning! The fun thing about these is you don’t have to do them on May 14 (Mother’s Day 2023), but can extend the celebration to fit your schedule. 

Time Alone in a Bookstore, Craft Store, or Boutique

Sometimes, the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day is with a little time to yourself! If you love to shop, why not ask for a couple hours alone in your favorite store, where you can pick out the gift you really want. There are so many cozy bookstores in the Dallas area, from The Wild Detectives bookshop and cafe in Oak Cliff to Talking Animals Books in downtown Grapevine! If you’re a crafty person, nothing says fun like shopping by yourself at Hobby Lobby or a local art supply store. Or stroll through downtown McKinney or the Southlake Town Square for some peaceful window shopping.

Professional Family Photos

As a Dallas family photographer, I have to mention this one, and not just because I love photographing families in DFW. I also know how much photos of my own kids and family mean to me! There’s something so special about watching our family grow over the years and cherishing life’s moments through beautiful photography. This is definitely a gift that keeps on giving. Plus, it can be so fun to dress the family up for a photoshoot, and I always do my best to keep it relaxing and laid back. The photos also double as great gifts for grandmas!

Garden Tea at the Dallas Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are beautiful this time of year, making this the perfect family outing. You can make things extra special by booking a high tea at the DeGoyler Tea Room for just you and your hubby or with a few girl friends! Enjoy a selection of sandwiches, soups, and treats as you sip tea and overlook the lovely gardens. 

Murder Mystery at the DMA – May 20 at 8p.m. 

Do you enjoy art and theater? Mix things up with a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art’s murder mystery night! Follow the clues as you interview the characters played by professional actors and try to solve the murder before the night is over! If you solve the murder, you’ll be entered to win a prize! Make a night of it by enjoying dinner at the museum cafe and a cocktail at the museum bar.

Go Hiking/Plan a Weekend Getaway 

Are you outdoorsy or adventurous? Take the family on an easy hike through Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas or venture outside the DFW area to uncover fossils in Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose or go kayaking in Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma. Enjoying time in nature can be so rejuvenating, especially before we hit those hot Texas summer months. Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse for a tiny vacation! 

I hope these ideas give you some inspiration for a fun and joy-filled Mother’s Day celebration! Whatever you choose to do, remember you’re amazing and your babies are so lucky to have you as their Mama!