Shower Mom With Flowers

Anna Jarvis' first gift idea for remembering mom on Mother's Day was flowers. But the founder of the holiday was thinking of the wild flowers that flourished profusely over the hillsides of her rural West Virginia home. That was back in 1908, when all a loving son or daughter had to do was hike to a nearby field or walk about their own property to pick an armful.

Back then, there were probably few, if any, local florists which, today, stock every kind of flower imaginable, from arbutus to zinnia to anything in between. Before you head out to your neighborhood florist, here are a few things to consider:

* What is Mom's favorite type of flower? If you don't know, roses are always a safe choice, and one she'll love.

* Does Mom have any allergies to specific flowers? Ask the florist to put together blooms that are less likely to induce a sneezing outbreak.

* Do you have pets in the house? If so, be careful to keep Mom's bouquet or plants out of reach. Many flowers like hyacinth and hydrangea are toxic to pets.

* Does your mother live in another state? Don't worry. You can call your local florist for the arrangement and he or she will contact a florist in your Mom's area to put together and deliver the blooms. You can also use an online service to create and send a Mother's Day arrangement.

Whether your Mom lives around the corner or across an ocean, she'll appreciate flowers. Order them from a florist or, even better, deliver them yourself! You'll give a gift that Mom will treasure.