Romantic Ideas for Mother's Day

Say thank you with these romantic ideas

If the special someone in your life is a mom, she deserves a day to be pampered, spoiled and treated like a queen. You don't necessarily need to break the bank to infuse her day with some romance - but you might need some imagination. Think about what she'd like the most. If you need a little inspiration in setting the stage for the perfect Mother's Day romance, we've got some great ideas:

Think outside the chocolate box

Don't get us wrong, chocolates, flowers and candlelight are great, and any mom would love to be surprised with this trio of romantic standards. But why not think bigger? It could be as simple as catching her off guard with a plan to do something different, like treating her to an evening at the theater, catching a musical or going to a gourmet restaurant she's always wanted to try out. Whatever it is, be selfless and honor her with something she'll truly enjoy - even if it's not something you'd choose for yourself.

Steamy spa

Any mom will melt at the thought of having her man run her a steamy bath, pamper her with an aromatherapy massage and give her a gentle pedicure or manicure. Not sure how to make a spa at home for the lady in your life? Simply round up some aromatherapy bubble bath, sprinkle rose petals in the tub, light candles and serve her tantalizing morsels like chocolate-dipped strawberries, fresh slices of fruit and some sparkling wine or champagne. For an even more romantic touch, consider turning your bedroom into an après-spa picnic spot with a spread of her delicious favorites. Indulge in some sexy food play before dimming the lights.

Whisk her away

Take your romance on the road by planning a romantic getaway! Whether for a weekend or for a night, she'll adore being swept off to an intimate country inn, a luxurious hotel or a cozy bed and breakfast. What mom wouldn't be wowed by an impromptu escape? Anticipate ordering in - you may not make it out of the room!

Take a trip down memory lane

Any sentimental mom will appreciate a romantic gift like a well thought-out photo album, scrapbook or slideshow of her most loved photos of kids, family and friends. Get a high-quality photo album or scrapbook and go through all the meaningful photos you can find in her own albums, in boxes or in her computer's picture folder. Chronicle her life in photos with a heavy emphasis on parenthood and her relationship with her children. For a Mother's Day scrapbook, be sure to add cute captions and descriptions of each photo's time and place. If you're making a slideshow, include some of her favorite sentimental music as a score. The result will be magical - romantic, thoughtful and a beautiful reminder of the wonderful times she's shared with her family.

Romantic dinners and more

Candlelight, soft music, fine wine: romantic dinners may be a bit cliché, but they certainly work. So treat your special lady to a Mother's Day dinner she won't soon forget. Plan a full five course meal complete with soup, salad, appetizer, main course and dessert. Choose dishes you're confident you can prepare - nothing is worse than playing chef and finding out you simply don't stack up in the kitchen. Set the stage with a lovely flower arrangement, candles, a little soft music and a gorgeous dinner table. If you're an absolutely abysmal cook, consider ordering in from a gourmet restaurant and presenting it as your own. She may catch on, but she'll love the thought.

Remember to serve the meal and pour the wine - don't let her lift a finger - and make sure she's got everything she needs. Hold her hand across the table, and make sure she knows exactly how wonderful you think she is. And yes, you're on clean-up duty!

Romance on a budget

Although you'd like to do it, a luxurious evening complete with long-stemmed roses and limousine service to whisk Mom away to a five star hotel simply may not be in your price range. If you're celebrating Mother's Day on a shoestring, don't worry - this romantic idea is guaranteed to melt her heart:

First, find an empty shoe box. Then glue prints of your favorite photos of her, the children and yourself and embellish with pretty wrapping paper, images or cutouts. Now, fill the box with romantic "personal service" cards. Fill the box with romantic cards for full body massages, romantic movie nights, candlelit dinners and foot rubs, as well as practical services like car cleaning, vacuuming, dishwashing and babysitting. What could be better than a supply of fabulously romantic and thoughtful gifts to use when she decides?