Mother's day gifts: 10 ways to say, "I love you, mom".

"Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendships fall; a mother's secret hope outlives them all."

--Oliver Wendell Holmes

Mother's Day happens every year. Yet we still lose sleep over what to give Mom. After all, what gift can adequately show how much we appreciate the most precious gift of all--life? No matter how humble, all mothers will tell you the best gift is time.

One of the most memorable Mother's Day gifts I recall as a young mother was an entire day alone--24 hours at a charming bed-and-breakfast with no nose wiping, diaper changing, cleaning or cooking ... pure bliss. Today, with one child away at college and the other soon out the door, time together is what I wish for.

Aside from the gift of time, mothers like to feel pampered. The pace and financial constraints of motherhood leave few opportunities for simple pleasures such as a hot bath, an hour's worth of peace and quiet or perhaps enough money to buy a small luxury item. To relieve some of the pressure of gift giving, we've come up with a few ideas that are sure to please; all are available at natural products stores, or you can ask your retailer to order them for you.

Let the flowers you give speak of love for your mom and Mother Earth. OrganicBouquet is the nation's largest supplier of organic blooms. The company also offers gifts and artisan-made vases that support small craftsmen and their communities. Available in natural product retail florist shops.

Jewelry, consistently ranks as the top favorite gift for women. This waterfall pearl necklace is made by Citlal Castillo, an artist in Taxco, Mexico, who is backed by a National Geographic program that supports global artisans.