Mom drops hints

Wondering what that very important person wants this year? Take these tips

Most busy moms really just want another hour or two tacked on to each day.

Or maybe just a full night of sleep (at least once a week).

Or someone to watch the kids while she gets a few things done.

Since none of those can be found at a mall, at Cameron Village or on Franklin Street, we went searching for other ideas for Mother's Day, ideas that might help Mom look and feel her best, keeping in mind, of course, the economy.

But even in these slower economic times, Mom is not being forgotten. People plan to spend on average about $140 on their mothers this year, about $7 more than they did last year, according to Brand Keys' annual Mother's Day survey of 1,200 people. The group said men planned to spend the most, an average of $170, compared with women, who said they'll spend $110.

So what's Mom getting? Cards (95 percent). And flowers (60 percent). More than half are getting treated to a special lunch, brunch or dinner.

The moms who wrote us their wish lists had other things in mind as well. Here are a few of them:

Although spa gift cards fall pretty low on the list of what men are planning to buy moms, according to Brand Keys (10 percent said that's what they're planning to buy), they rank pretty high with a number of moms who wrote to us. What mom doesn't deserve a little pampering? (Just think about what carrying a 20-pound child does to your back, one mom told us.)

In fact, La Therapie Spa in Cary is already counting on some mom spa business this Sunday. The spa is open on Mother's Day from noon to 5 p.m. so that moms can be pampered with a facial, pedicure or massage. Massages start at about $50 and facials start at $55. (www.ltdayspa.com)

But fellas? As one mom was quick to remind us, anyone can give a spa-day gift card. Take the gift a step further by making the appointment for her and making sure you've covered who's going to watch the kids while she's at the spa.

If she's a new mom, consider sending her to the Itsy Bitsy Baby Spa. The new spa in Cary is geared toward moms learning how to adjust to life with a baby, with mommy and baby belly dancing classes, sing and sign playtime classes and mommy and baby yoga. Classes start at about $22. (www.itsybitsybabyspa.com)

Owner Keren BenMoshe also has gifts for the moms-to-be, including Mama Rose's Naturals Tummy Aid wellness tea and Preggie Pops to ease morning sickness and Blossoming Belly Lotion Bar to prevent and fade stretch marks on growing bellies.

Pamper her a little

Maybe she's not a day-spa girl. Maybe she likes to stay right at home and pamper herself.

For moms who have missed the luxury of a bath -- either because of the drought or being time-starved -- Jennifer Huggard has the perfect gift at Tyler House. It's called JellyBath and smells and feels like a mini vacation from packing lunches and waiting in car lines. Add a box of JellyBath to half-full tub of warm water and it becomes a translucent, fluffy jelly -- kind of like a blanket -- that helps retain heat up to four times longer than water. Jellies come in mint, lemon grass or lavender and cost between $10 and $24 at Tyler House in North Hills.

Speaking of scents, we can't get enough of The Body Shop's Morning Body Butter ($20), which is a must for any gardenia-loving mom. The body butter also comes in other scents such as almond, grapefruit, coconut, mango and strawberry.

Stephanie Harris of Charlotte's Jewelry and Gifts says pampered moms might like the scented dusting silk by Lady Primrose in crystal shakers ($31). She says it's "the softest powder you will ever try," perfect for staying dry on humid days or freshening up bed linens.