The Alternative Mom Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Dear Fellow Daughters Out There,

I’m not quite sure who decided that Mother’s Day gifts and gift guides were limited to items adorned with floral prints, kitchen appliances in hues of pink or ivory, sweet smelling candles and petite jewelry settings. Every time I come across a new gift guide around the web, it’s a regurgitation of the same stereotypical pieces a mother should have or should want. I oppose this notion wholeheartedly. Where are the gift guides for the moms not interested in these things or for the moms who simply just aren’t as girly?

My mom, for example, has more tattoos than days of the week, enjoys watching Supernatural and plays video games. I can’t find a perfectly curated list of Mother’s Day gifts suited for her. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has experienced this. So, since one doesn’t exist, I decided to create one for myself and the other daughters out there who A) are last minute shoppers (sorry mom) and B) need to spark inspiration for what I like to lovingly call the “alternative” mom. Here are 15 ideas I think our hip moms would love:

  • 1) Gift certificate to her favorite tattoo parlor for the next art piece she’s been dreaming of – I’m not putting myself on the hook for references here, totally your preference!
  • 2) Not all moms are blonde or brunette, two years ago my mom dyed her hair scarlet red and that can take a toll on anyone’s hair. Gift her a gift certificate to get her hair professionally done – again totally your preferred salon
  • 3) My mom LOVES her sparkly Doc Martens, here are some pairs that are fun
  • 4) Not a night goes by that my mom isn’t playing Animal Crossing on her new Nintendo Switch. It’s such a cool compact electronic for the gaming moms out there // Nintendo Switch
  • 5) Grills aren’t reserved for Father’s Day gift guides. My mom loves to grill and here’s an electronic one that is condo or apartment friendly // George Foreman Standing Electric Grill for under $100
  • 6) Summer is coming! Gift your mom a rad pair of Ray Bans or this awesome cat eye pair of sunglasses from Amazon
  • 7) Moms come in all shapes, sizes and backgrounds and who better celebrates all women than Good American. Gift your mom an epic pair of jeans that will make her feel super confident
  • 8) My mom enjoys photography and often takes sick shots while at concerts. If your mom enjoys a similar hobby, consider this awesome polaroid camera // Polaroid Camera
  • 9) The rocker moms love music. This chic record player would fit any aesthetic and allows your mom to bust out the oldies // Record Player
  • 12) Gaming headphones could allow your mom to completely immerse herself in the digital world // Under $50 at Best Buy
  • 13) Spice up your mom’s wardrobe with some cool vintage band tees
  • 15) Kat Von D can take your mom’s makeup collection to the next level and it’s all vegan. Here are some options to consider

I hope you and your mom are able to spend this Mom’s Day together and I hope she loves her crazy, cool gifts! What are you planning on buying her this year?

Sincerely,

Friday Favorites 12/20

Happy Friday and Happy *almost* Holidays!

We are officially on the 5 day countdown to Christmas! Even better? I officially will not be back in the office until January 6th!!! Some work from home days and lots of PTO has me the happiest I’ve been in a while because this week was brutally busy. I’m looking forward to some major downtown, food, family and maybe a massage (or two) mixed in. Shhhhh.

What am I going to do with all this extra free time? Well if you find yourself any sort of bored over the next few days, here are some great articles I found on the internet this week. I hope you enjoy and have very happy holidays with loved ones!

Chicago Bears’ Player Kahlil Mack Pays Off 300 Layaway Accounts at Walmart in His Hometown

Old article but Jennifer Lawrence is interview by Oprah and reveals the best piece of advice she ever received was from Oprah herself

Chrissy Teigen posts the most relatable rant on Twitter about John Legend…hilarious!!

Giuliana and Bill Rancic announce the opening date for their next RPM restaurant in Chicago. I am obsessed with her!

Forbes Women article: The 2010s The Decade Women Fought Back

Wish List

This LV Dupe Makeup Case

This Mini Puffer Jacket

This Camel Coat

This Pajama Set

These Sneakers

On Sincerely-Sydney ICYMI

Gift Guide For Him

Gift Guide For Her

Gifts Under $50

Sincerely,

Gifts Under $50

Me Again,

Now three times in one week?! Must be the holidays or something. Or it’s just me freaking out about buying presents *typical* I just HAD to post one more time for my last minute Christmas shoppers. If you’re stressed, take a deep breath because it is going to be alright!

The holidays are a rough time for our wallets. From normal monthly bills, to events, gifts, traveling, the list seems endless and money seems to spontaneously grow wings.

But just because it’s the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t mean that every gift you buy has to be $100+. There are plenty of fantastic gift ideas out there that you can purchase for $50 or less. Stocking stuffers, small wrapped presents or handouts to colleagues, I have scoured the internet to bring you the best of the best. Here are my top picks for gifts $50 and under.

*None of the above images are my own. They are from the retailer’s site or are stock images.

Sincerely,

Gift Guide for HER

Hi Again,

Second post of the week and it’s only Tuesday…who am I?!?! Well let me tell you, I’m still a true procrastinator. In everything I do, I usually wait until the last possible minute before completing the task.

It’s the way I’ve always been, from 3rd grade papers to waiting until 11PM to pack a suitcase before a 5AM flight. Not much has changed, so why would Christmas shopping be any different. I tend to stay on brand.

If you are also a bonafide procrastinator, you will surely appreciate this less-than-two-weeks-before-Christmas Gift Guide for Her. If you are either late with letting others know what you want for the holidays or late in buying for the women in your life, I tried to make it easy on all of us!

Below you will see my top picks for holiday gifts this year, many of which I am even asking for myself or already own. Everything is linked for easy access or you could even send this blog post link to your family members so they can easily access the items. If you have any questions on any of the options, just let me know!

*None of the above images are my own. They are from the retailer’s site or are stock images.

Sincerely,

Gift Guide for HIM

Hello Fellow Procrastinator,

To be completely honest, I hate buying gifts. Around this time of the year, I always see so many people online gush about their love of buying presents for loved ones. They go on and on about how great it makes them feel when they see the look on a friend or family member’s face after opening something they knew they would love. I call bullshit on this.

Maybe you are this type of person maybe it’s a front, I don’t really know or care, but I know from personal experience buying gifts sucks. It stresses me out and thus I put it off until the last minute, which in turn stresses me out even more. The worst of the worst…buying gifts for the men in my life.

For someone who finds pride in being a semi-creative person, when it comes to buying a gift for a man in my life I totally freeze up and draw a blank. So like the last 6 years, I have of course waited until the last possible moment to buy my boyfriend any holiday gifts. If you’ve done the same, I am attempting to ease our pain by compiling a gift guide for him. Here are my top picks for holiday gifts for the men in your life. Get shopping ASAP, Christmas is literally in less than two weeks *starts sweating*

*None of the above images are my own. They are from the retailer’s site or are stock images.

I hope you found some good stuff from the above list, or at least, I hope these ideas sparked some of your own! Let me know what you think below.

Sincerely,