Every year for Mother’s Day, my husband gives me the best gift — and it’s not wrapped up in a box or tied with a bow.

Instead, he chooses a day, sends the kids to his parents’ house for the day, encourages me to go get a pedicure or spend time with a friend, and then turns his full attention to something I treasure even more than flowers or chocolates: my to-do list.

A few days before Mother’s Day, he asks me to write down all the little (and big) tasks that have been weighing on my mind — the ones I never seem to have time to tackle between the daily busyness of family life. Whether it’s fixing that squeaky door, organizing a closet, touching up paint, or finally hanging those pictures I’ve been meaning to put up, he spends the day crossing off as many tasks as he can.

It’s not just about getting things done (though that part is amazing!). It’s about the thoughtfulness behind it — the way he sees what would truly lighten my load and make me feel cared for, beyond the traditional gifts. Every year, it reminds me how deeply he loves and supports me, and how much he values all the unseen work that I pour into our family every day.

It’s not fancy. It’s not flashy.

It’s practical, personal, and heartfelt.

And to me, it’s the absolute best Mother’s Day gift I could ever receive.

Some Things I’ve Put on My Mother’s Day To-Do List

• Hang pictures and wall art that have been sitting in a closet
• Touch up paint scuffs around the house
• Organize the kids’ closets and switch out seasonal clothes
• Fix loose handles and knobs around the house
• Deep clean the car (inside and out!)
• Tighten or repair squeaky doors
• Clean out the garage or storage areas
• Plant flowers or refresh porch decor
• Donate old toys and throw out ones broken or missing pieces
• Build the kids a pickler triangle
• Deep clean the baseboards
• Clean behind the fridge and stove
• Pair all Tupperware with tops and throw out any extra pieces
• Get out all kids sport equipment and make sure they have what they need in the correct sizes
• Go through shoes in the patio and donate what doesn’t fit (for this I trace each kids foot as a size guide)
• Put roof rack on the car for kayaks
• Put screens in the patio windows and storm door
• Power wash the house
• Create a family emergency kit
• Power wash the baby’s high chair