M is for the more interesting gift than a box of candy you’d better bring her …
O is for the out-of-the-ordinary stuff she likes to do …
T is for the … Well, you get the idea. Your mom, your wife, the sister-in-law whose birthday you forgot all about so Mother’s Day is your chance to get back in her good graces — they’re your more unconventional types, always up for a little fun and adventure and willing to try out (or on) new things.
These are not the women you bring a store-bought card or bunch of flowers to on Sunday and feel really good about it.
Here are six Think Outside the Box gift ideas for that Mom who loves unconditionally and lives a little (or a lot) unconditionally at times.
1. Enroll her in a standup comedy class: For years, she's been a font of one-liners and "hilarious" observations on the state of your hair and love life. Now's the time to find her a bigger audience. The Laughing Skull Lounge comedy club in Midtown Atlanta offers a seven-week standup comedy class that covers everything from the history of comedy to putting together your own 5-8 minute set. After graduation, students get to perform at two of Laughing Skull's incredibly popular Open Mic nights. The current session has already begun, but enrollment is now open for the next one this summer. If you're not sure Mom's ready for it, the two of you can check out Laughing Skull's video that covers some of the basics. Maybe you'll both decide to enroll, giving her that gift she wants most of all: Time together.
Stand Up Comedy Class. $495. Laughing Skull Lounge, 878 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, 877-523-3288, www.laughingskulllounge.com
2. Hike the Doll's-Head Trail with her. Talk about your "out there" experience that's literally off the beaten trail! Doll's-Head Trail is nestled inside of Constitution Lakes Park a surprisingly beautiful expanse of trails and wetlands in a "reclaimed" industrial section of South DeKalb County some six miles from downtown Atlanta. Doll's-Head, which diverts off of the main walking trail, is an ever-evolving collection of "outsider" art, pretty much all of it forged from trash dumped in the area recently or long-ago. The man who started it, Joel Slaton, is a fascinating, creative native Atlantan whom you can read all about here in this AJC profile; you'll also find lots of photos and videos of his whimsical artwork there.
Constitution Lakes Park, open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Free. 305 S. River Industrial Boulevard SE, Atlanta.
3. Treat her to a tattoo. Anyone can have the traditional "Mom" tattooed on their bicep. But why not switch it up a bit and spring for whatever she wants inked, wherever she wants it? Metro Atlanta has a host of well-reviewed tattoo artists and shops (find lists here and here). Really want to show Mom or Grandmom your love? Consider getting a tattoo along with her. It happens sometimes," said Brian Munoz, an artist at Sacred Heart Tattoo in Little Five Points. "Mainly it's mothers and daughters coming in together. It's not so much a mother-and-son thing."
Most tattoo shops are open daily, including this Sunday. But it’s always better to call ahead and schedule an appointment, especially if you want to work with a particular artist.
4. Take her on a "gallery tour" of Krog Street Tunnel. Here's where Atlanta flexes its own "tattooed bicep" on a daily basis. Located at the intersection of DeKalb Avenue and Krog Street, the nearly 100-year-old tunnel is also where underground art meets must-see hipster cool. For what seems like forever, "Krog's" concrete walls have been covered with an ever-changing gallery of "public art" (drawings and paintings, graffiti, posters, even one of Tiny Doors ATL's tiny doors) that the web site notfortourists.com describes as "low on gang tagging and high on wit." A trip to view the Krog Tunnel used to feel more dangerous and edgy before the paved Eastside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline arrived just a few blocks away at Irwin Street. Still, a visit now will totally up Mom's street cred. Afterwards, treat her to a nosh and adult beverage at nearby Krog Street Market or 97 Estoria in Cabbagetown. (If you really want to add to your uncovential gift, you could surprise Mom with a pre-painted message on the tunnel just for her. Or the two of you could add some art together. Technically the tunnel is private property owned by CSX, so we'd never officially recommend you do anything to it, wink, wink).
Krog Street Tunnel. 1 Krog St. NE, Atlanta.
5. Give her the ultimate Girls Night Out courtesy of RuPaul: Your fun-loving Mom will have to wait until Friday night to see RuPaul's Drag Race Battle of the Seasons (BOTS) — but what a night it should be. For eight seasons, RuPaul's Logo TV reality/competition show has crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar;" this traveling extravaganza brings together past winners, runners-up and other fan favorites for solo and group performances (the cast varies by city). It's here for one show only, and tickets prices start at $37.50 for general admission and go higher for VIP packages that include perks like pre- and post-show meet-and-greets.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Season. 9 p.m. May 13. $37.50 - $299. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Rd. Atlanta. 404-843-2825, www.thebuckheadtheatre.com.
6. Say it with flow — er, Trees. Imagine the totally unexpected moment when you show up at her door with an actual live tree in hand! Flowers wilt easily and are utterly predictable as gifts. Not at all like the woman you're determined to surprise and please this Mothers Day. A tree puts down roots. A tree grows taller and more attractive with each passing year, just like her children. Whether you opt for a small sapling in a pot, or a larger tree ready to go in the ground right now, fruit or flowering, shade tree or ornamental, you'll find plenty of options available at area nurseries and home and garden supply stores. You can even go online and order a peach tree — hey, this is Georgia! — sent to her directly.
About the Author
