Which Gift Will You Select For Your Arab American Mom?
By: Yasmina Hage/Arab America Contributing Writer
SEND your camera video of your gift to Mom to info@arabamerica.com
In the United States, it was President Woodrow Wilson who instituted Mother’s Day on May 9, 1914, after Anna Jarvis initiated it on May 10, 1908. The story, in short, is that Anna Jarvis led a ceremony in a church to honor her mother, “among all mothers.” Unfortunately, she was unable to attend but instead, she sent a telegram and 500 carnations. Since then, this carnation flower has remained a symbol of this holiday.
Now, annually, in May, we are elated to have the chance to celebrate this incredible day: Mother’s Day! It’s more than just a commercial celebration, it’s a day dedicated to thinking about the incredible acts and feelings that our moms have displayed throughout life whether they are close or in heaven. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the days and nights that they have cared for us and their unselfish way of putting us before themselves.
Are you wondering how to express your appreciation and love? Hurry up and select a way you really can touch your mom forever. The following are some of the ideas that may be adapted to you and your Arab country of origin.
So, which gift Will You give Mom?
SEND your camera video of your gift to mom to info@arabamerica.com
Let’s start by admitting that Arab moms like to show off with the gifts they receive from their children on this special day. Therefore, the ideal gift would be something that Mom can wear or something she can decorate her home with, but most importantly is a memory she can keep forever. Here is a list of some ideas:
1. A necklace with her name or initials on it.
2. A bag with Arabic calligraphy. It’s a big-time item now.
Poshmark3. An Arab painting that would remind her of home and the rich Arab heritage.
4. A box of creatively modified baklava in a cupcake form. She would take a picture of it and post it on social media.
Made by Zayna Bakes: Cuffins.5. A cookbook by a famous Arab American: Ralph Nader; it’s full of recipes from his late Arab Lebanese Mother who lived in Connecticut.
Ralph Nader Family Cookbook6. A mask representative of Mom’s homeland. For example, see the Kaffiyeh masks promoted by the Museum of the Palestinian People
Keffiyeh Masks: Order these amazing masks here: https://tinyurl.com/keffiyehmasks7. You can prepare your mom a home-made gift by watching a Tuto on YouTube. Like a beautiful box full of memories: items, pictures, words she uses often, or clips of events of her life.
8. A vision board of family photos, or friends photos, or favorite places in her homeland.
9. Make her a playlist with her favorite Arab songs that she can listen to and dance to.
10. You can offer her a love song dedicated to “mother” from Marcel Khalife’s famous song “Ommi,” or Mahmoud Darwish’s poem, “I am Passionate About My Mother’s Bread,” or the famous song of Faiza Ahmad: “Ya Sit El Habayeb.”
I am Passionate About My Mother’s BreadClick here to listen to the poem of Mahmoud Darwish’s in Arabic with English translation.
What to give your Mom during COVID-19 restrictions?
11. You can order a dish your mom likes at a local Arab restaurant and have it delivered to her door on Mother’s Day.
12. If applicable, drive by to say hello (from afar) with Arab music and a solo or dabkeh dance?
13. You may send her flowers, a balloon (your picture taped to it), and a card written in your own handwriting with Arabic expression (habeebti mama/sabah elkhair mama) or lay them on her porch the night before.
The Pop Case14. How about a simple phone call or Zoom conference accompanied by any of the above-recommended gifts? Tell her a sweet word in Arabic and remind her of a great activity you both did together.
A phone call A video call
so which gift Will You give Mom?
Remember to send your camera video of your gift to mom to info@arabamerica.com
Sources:
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