Navigating Mother’s Day One Mom at a Time

Whom should you acknowledge and how? Below, answers to our readers' Mother's Day questions should help you navigate this somewhat tricky holiday.

MY BEST FRIEND
 Q: My BFF's baby shower was last month and I bought her an EXTREMELY over-the-top gift.  She had a beautiful baby girl, and this is her first official Mother's Day.  Do I have to buy her ANOTHER gift?

A: Motherhood's tough. The girl you used to party with now considers breastfeeding while watching Grey's Anatomy a wild night. Acknowledging a new mom's plunge into her first "change of life" experience, especially if she's your best friend, is truly thoughtful. However, this "thought" doesn't have to be expensive. Send her something sweet and sinful like The Dancing Deer Mother's Day Short & Sweet Hearts , or if you're looking for something more sentimental (and a little pricier), Shop Intuition's Mini Girl Necklace in gold (with personalized charms) will remind her of her new baby when she's FINALLY out sipping cocktails with you!

MY STEP MOMS
Q: My father has remarried twice. As a result, I have two stepmothers: one who I love and another whom I barely know. How can I survive this Mother's Day without breaking the bank?

A: If you're suffering from "I have too many parents to please" syndrome, it's time to think of gifts that are appropriate for your relationship with the individual. Send your new stepmother (who, at this point, is practically a stranger) fresh, fabulous flowers like the Sorbet Bouquet . This is a great way to acknowledge the special occasion without having to get too personal. For the stepmother with whom you have a real connection, a lovely scent like Jo Malone's White Jasmine and Mint Cologne will remind her of how much you cherish your relationship without going overboard. Take a look at our Mother's Day Gift Guide for more well-priced suggestions.

MY NEW MOTHER-IN-LAW
Q: I just got married, and now I not only need a killer gift for my own mother but I need something impressive for my new mother-in-law - yikes! While both of them are relatively young and hip, I want to get them different gifts that don't "compete" with each other. What should I do?

A: As if it's not enough that you have to keep your husband happy, now you have to keep his mother happy too! If you're going to go "different" with their gifts, choose things that cater to their personal interests. If your mother-in-law loves to cook, the Blurb Cookbook allows you to collect her favorite recipes and download them into a cookbook made exclusively for her.  If your mother is into jewelry, opt for something close to the heart like Helen Ficalora's MOM charms or Tiffany & Co's MOM Locket .  These sweet gifts will let her know that even though you have "another mother" in your life, you're still her little girl.

MY NANNY
Q: As a child, my parents spent more time missing my recitals than attending.  My nanny practically raised me and when this time of year rolls around, I always think of her. Is it weird to give her a Mother's Day gift?

A: In today's day and age, non-biological mother figures can end up playing a huge role in our lives. Mother's Day is a day of appreciation well suited for thanking the woman who treated you as one of her own.  Show her how much you appreciate everything she's done for you with a gift that lets her think of herself (for once!). Pamper her with the Borghese Mother's Day Spa Serenity Set or SpaFinder gift certificate -both fabulous (and appropriate) gifts for this occasion.

For more fun and fabulous ways to spoil all of the moms in your life, check out the Mother's Day Gift Guide !

A. White