Family TiesSo, like, this Sunday is Mother's Day. And if you're anything like me, you've thought about it for the past few weeks and kept telling yourself, "I'll get something for mom next week when I'm at the mall." And then next week comes, and you're at the mall and you see a cool new Xbox 360 video game so you start looking at how Mario's going to get sucker punched by Bowser again, and then you remember you need a new pair of sneakers, and you really should buy a Yankees T-shirt, 'cause like you don't even have one anymore. And before you know it, you're back at home thinking, "Huh. Guess I'll get something for mom next week." And now it's Wednesday and you're just mere days away from Mother's Day. Nice job! Heh.

For you procrastinators out there, here's a quick list of nice things you can do for dear ol' mom that are sure to put a smile on her face:

  • Be like ET! Yep, phone home. Whether you talk to your mom like 10 times a day or maybe once every 6 months, go ahead and pick up the phone. Tell her how much you miss her and that you wish her a great Mother's Day and that you wish you could be there with her and all that. Be sure to mention you just got a haircut and that she was 100% totally right about [insert one of the 64 things your mom told you that you had to do, last time you spoke with her].
  • Be like MacGyver! Get your lazy butt over to your mom's house and finally make good on those endless promises you've made in the past to fix things next time you're over. Whether it's mowing her lawn, changing a light bulb, setting the clock on her DVD player or fixing those annoying sliding closet doors that always come off the track... just get over there and get to work.
  • Be like Rachel Ray! No, I don't mean shrink down a few inches and put the most gigantic smile ever on your face... I'm talking about cooking! Mom's spent an entire lifetime (yours!) making you some of your favorite meals. So it's about time you returned the favor. Whip up one of her favorite dishes, or if that's way too complicated, just open up a can or a frozen TV dinner. Whatever. Just make an effort to make a meal for her. Cause no matter how awful it really is, mom will still love it. And if not, remind her that it's totally the thought that counts.
  • Be like those thumbs up/thumbs down guys! (I'd say Siskel and Ebert, but sadly Siskel is dead and Ebert's suffering from lots of surgery/cancer. And I don't remember the names of the guys who replaced them... But I digress...) Don't be a wuss. Suck it up and take your mom to the movies. Just be sure it's a movie she wants to see, not you. And don't try spinning it somehow that you thought mom would love to see "Street Kings." Nobody's buying it.
  • Be like DaVinci! I'm not talking about speaking in code. I'm talking about just being creative. Use whatever talent you have and make something for mom. Write a poem. Paint a picture. Take some photos and make a collage. Arrange a flower bouquet with flowers from your garden. Whatever it is, just put a piece of yourself in it, and mom's sure to treasure it. (Plus, it's a lot cheaper then buying her a new camera.)

COUPON TIME:

If all that sounds like way too much work, here's a few last-minute coupons/deals so you can just order mom something cool online that she can return to the store later when she hates it:

10% off all online orders at The Company Store
Use promotional code AFDSAVE10.
Valid through: May 11, 2008
One-time use only. Discount applies to new orders of in-stock merchandise only, on merchandise total exclusive of tax and delivery charges. Valid only for purchases made online at TheCompanyStore.com and CompanyKids.com. Offer does not apply to past purchases, as payment on any credit card account, to the purchase of Clearance items, Charisma products, gift cards, or club memberships, and may not be combined with any other offer.

20% off your order at ICE.com
Use this link to activate the coupon code.
Valid through: May 11, 2008 11:59pm ET
One coupon per customer. Excludes sale items, engagement rings and items under Hollywood Jewels. Cannot be combined with any other coupons.

Send 12 Assorted Mother's Day Roses + 6 FREE and FREE vase
for just $29.99 at ProFlowers
Valid through: May 9, 2008 or while supplies last

Save $10 and get FREE Chocolates when you send
24 Assorted Petite Roses, $29.99 at ProFlowers
Valid through: May 9, 2008 or while supplies last

15% off your online order at Teleflora.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: May 11, 2008
May not be combined with any other promotion and is not valid toward previous purchases. Not valid at retail locations or partner sites.

20% off select Roses or Lilies at Teleflora.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: May 11, 2008
May not be combined with any other promotion and is not valid toward previous purchases. Not valid at retail locations or partner sites.

Buy Mom a Magellan 3250 GPS Receiver, Get Yourself a Magellan 1200 GPS Receiver Free at RadioShack
Use this link for details.
Valid through: May 11, 2008

$20 off orders of $100 or more at Shoes.com
Excludes Sale Items
Click the "Apply Code Here" button in your shopping cart and enter coupon code may100.
Valid through: May 16, 2008 11:59pm CT
Not valid on Bags and the following brands: Allen Edmonds, Bruno Magli, Burton, Crocs, Dansko, Ecco, K-Swiss, LAMB, Keen, Lucchese, Mark Nason, MBT, Mephisto, Merrell, Puma, Royal Elastics, Siren, Stuart Weitzman and Ugg. May not be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases. Valid only on orders shipped to the U.S.

$5 off orders of $50 or more at Shoes.com
Excludes Sale Items
Click the "Apply Code Here" button in your shopping cart and enter coupon code may50.
Valid through: May 16, 2008 11:59pm CT
Not valid on Bags and the following brands: Allen Edmonds, Bruno Magli, Burton, Crocs, Dansko, Ecco, K-Swiss, LAMB, Keen, Lucchese, Mark Nason, MBT, Mephisto, Merrell, Puma, Royal Elastics, Siren, Stuart Weitzman and Ugg. May not be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases. Valid only on orders shipped to the U.S.