Ways to Recognize Great Moms

(ARA) - Your mom is probably the biggest influence in your life - from fixing your cuts and scrapes when you got injured on the playground to providing a goodbye hug when you left home for college. And even now, she's always just a phone call or e-mail away, ready to hear the latest story or provide advice if requested.

If there has been a woman in your life who has influenced you, or you've observed the greatest mom in action, you're probably trying to think of ways to give her the recognition she deserves. Of course, the best reward that she'll appreciate is a big hug, but here are a few other suggestions for ways you can show her your appreciation:

* Find time to spend together, whether it's for an evening or an entire weekend. This works really well for moms who don't get to spend a lot of time with their adult children due to distances, families, busy schedules and other factors. You can expand this idea by planning a trip for just you and your mom to a new destination neither of you have ever visited.

* Give this special woman a chance to get away and relax. Busy moms rarely give themselves the time to sit down and think, or pamper themselves. Give her a day off, and depending on her tastes, cater the day to her interests. For example, line her up with a shopping trip with gift certificates if she loves going to the mall, or movie tickets and a night to herself in a hotel with room service and a whirlpool bath.

* Nominate a mom for a once-in-a-lifetime Hollywood red-carpet experience through the "Edwards Goes To" contest. Log onto Facebook and visit the Edwards Desserts Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/edwardsdesserts). While there, nominate a mom who is your friend on Facebook by submitting a short essay to explain why that mom deserves thanks and recognition for her everyday efforts. You can even submit photos or videos. Entries must be submitted by April 23, 2010 and will be judged on poignancy, creativity and originality.

America will get to vote online for their favorite mom finalist in May, 2010 on the Facebook fan page. A "Facebook Fan Favorite" will receive a "party in a box" so she can host a red-carpet awards show viewing party at home, complete with enough Edwards frozen desserts to indulge all her guests' dessert desires.

Visitors who nominate a mom for the contest or return to the site to vote on their favorite mom finalist will receive an e-coupon for $1 off an Edwards Singles frozen dessert (while supplies last). Now available in the grocer's frozen pie section, each easy-to-prepare dessert bakes hot in the microwave in less than one minute and is topped with cool, creamy ice cream.

A grand-prize winner selected in June, 2010, will receive a first-class trip for two to Hollywood, California, including round-trip airfare, five-star hotel accommodations and tickets to an exclusive red-carpet event, along with a supply of Edwards Singles frozen desserts to enjoy all year long. It's perfect for moms who believe it's the unique little indulgences that enrich everyday life.

* Create a memory project that she can treasure. Maybe get the entire family together for a portrait, or put together a scrapbook that she can browse through. If you don't have artistic talents, you can use a design program that allows you to plug in photos and text and prints the entire book for you. If you do have creative talents, consider making her something she can use, and enjoy using. Maybe refurbish a rocking chair you found at a garage sale, or design a photo-collage quilt for her to spread over a chair or chest.

Whatever you do, make sure the mom you're recognizing knows how much she deserves the appreciation. Put a smile on her face, and let her know that she's a great mom. And don't forget to treat her to her favorite indulgent dessert as a great way for her to relax and for you to show you care.

Courtesy of ARAcontent