Mother's Day Gift Guide 2014

Mother’s Day is like American Gladiators.

It’s a gauntlet of comical challenges — make your mom happy, make your wife happy, make your wife’s mom happy, etc. — and, if you fail, you get slapped with the pugil sticks of their displeasure.

Here: Defend yourself, and conquer, with the InsideHook Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

Before you dive in, know that gifts are a test.

When you give a gift — especially for Mom’s Day! — you’re being judged on how well you’ve listened. Whether you know their predilections and peccadilloes. Whether you do, in fact, care.

So, step one: listen. Figure out, at least, a category of her interest.

Step two: procure gift.

Step three: get gift wrapped. Nicely. This is also part of showing that you care. Get a card, too. Write something. She’ll keep the card long after the gift itself.

Step four: take her to brunch (you won’t go wrong choosing from these restaurants).

Step five: bask in the radiant glow of a woman who feels appreciated.

And that’s it.

Enjoy the gift guide. There are 36 gifts inside for all the women in your life, organized by category.

Have a great day.