7 Mother's Day Alternatives to Your Fallback Gifts

Your mom gave you the gift of life — the least you could do is give her something nice on Mother's Day.

Yes, the holiday celebrating all things mom is on May 11 this year, which means you should start preparing now. Sure, you could go with the expected gift trio of a card, flowers and chocolates, but why not try something new? Everyone knows those gifts are standard fallbacks, but if it's really the thought that counts, your mom might appreciate something unique and off the cuff.

1. Instead of a book...

Try Scribd. This service is kind of like a Netflix for books. Once you subscribe to the service for $8 per month, users get access to thousands of books, which is perfect for the literary mom.
2. Instead of candles...
Try Mine Design. The soy wax candle costs about $25 on Amazon and is super personable. Use the chalkboard exterior to write your mum a personal message.

3. Instead of a box of chocolates...
Try Chocomize. The site lets users customize every inch of their chocolate bar with up to five unique toppings (crystallized rose petals and 23-karat gold flakes, anyone?).

Depending on the toppings you pick, a bar could cost anywhere from $7 to $20, and shipping is a flat rate of $4.25.
4. Instead of a bouquet of flowers...

Try Click and Grow. This will be the gift that keeps on giving. The high tech smartpot arrives ready to sprout with a plant, and just requires users to add water and batteries.

Or, if your mom appreciates the nerdier things in life, get her one of these 8-bit roses.
5. Instead of a framed photo...

Try Mosaic. The smartphone app Mosaic (available for iOS and Android) quickly creates and delivers a unique photo book. Once you download the app, select 20 photos from your camera roll and add them. Mosaic will then create and send a physical, 7-inch photo book within four days, all for the price of $25.
6. Instead of jewelry...

Try pre-ordering Cuff. The smartphone app pairs with wearable accessories, like bracelets and necklaces. What does it do? Simply put, it keeps you connected. Using an accelerometer in the jewelry, it sends the other Cuff-wearer a wireless alert, all without having to whip out your phone.

Depending on which package you choose, Cuff will cost anywhere from $35 to $110. The company plans to start shipping in fall 2014, so your mom can look forward to being an early adopter.
7. Instead of a 'World's Greatest Mom' mug...
Try the self-stirring mug. This $18.99 creation does all the stirring for your mom with its whirring disc at the bottom of the cup.