Some Silliness For Mum's Bon Voyage

 John's mom (aka Mum) is moving back to Maine this weekend. After over two decades of Florida living - during which she never once turned on the air conditioning in her tiny studio apartment - she's decided to swing to the other extreme and never feel warm again.

::finger guns wink wink HEYOOO Mainers, just kidding::

The rest of John's family still lives up there, including Mum's grandkids and now great grandkids, so she has lots to go home to. Plus all the local pizza joints up there sell whoopie pies, so I can see the appeal. (Whoopie pies are a heavenly northern creation that's basically a cake hamburger, except instead of a meat patty you get icing, and instead of a bun you get cake, and instead of lettuce and tomato you get a brief nirvanic experience that assures you all is right with the world.) (I'm a fan.)

We want to send Mum off with a proper to-do, so I've been planning a party for the night before her flight. Well, "party" is a bit generous. It'll just be us, Mum, and John's sister who's flying down to help with the last minute details. We'll all be in masks and distancing, so I guess it's less like a "party" and more like a wait at the DMV, only with a "Bon Voyage" banner and balloons.

Hmm. Yeah, I definitely need to up my game here.

I am proud of what I brainstormed for Mum's going-away gifts, though. (Don't worry, she's not online and won't see this.) Mum LOVES a big to-do, loves surprises and celebrations and making the mundane into an occasion. This is a woman who once gift-wrapped a single-serve bottle of ketchup and made a dramatic presentation with it. She won't have much room in her suitcase, though, so I needed little things, with an emphasis on quantity over quality to make it fun. 

Here's what I've got so far:

First we'll have a card saying we got her a few Florida mementos, then the first gift will read,  

"When you miss the Florida sunshine, wear these."

Sun Hoop Earrings


(I'll add links since everything's from Amazon, but this is more about the ideas behind the gifts than the actual stuff.)

These are super cute in person, and came with 4 different styles of earring backs, so you can choose your favorite. Not bad for $10 earrings.

Next a silly one:

"When you miss the power outages during hurricane season, turn out the lights and use this to find the bathroom."

Tiny Flashlight!

I like that this one's still practical: I have a push light in my purse and it is a lifesaver when you're looking for lip balm or dropped M&Ms. This comes in a teeny gift box with extra batteries, plus a cute little Stormtrooper charm that John is totally keeping. 

 Mum once asked for a plastic flamingo for her birthday, saying she wanted to lean in to the classic Florida retiree look, and has proudly displayed it on her porch ever since. SO...

"When you miss all the glorious tackiness that is quintessential FLORIDA, look at these beauties and remember 'tacky' is only a state of mind."

 

Miniature Flamingo Plant Picks

These are bigger and heavier than I expected (nearly 6 inches tall with the stakes), but they're also much prettier. Hopefully Mum finds a nice house plant for them in her new place.


"When you miss sweating - especially during those cold Maine winters - put this on."

Winter Trapper Hat

Obviously, we had to. Ha!

"And finally, when you miss your Florida kids, look at this and remember how much we love you:"

Florida Long Distance Key Chain

 

We're having John's sis bring the key to Mum's new apartment, which we'll present to her on this. Cute, right?


The final element for the party is a key lime pie, Mum's favorite Florida dessert. Publix sells a pretty decent one, but I think we'll buy a few slices from a local restaurant, Bahama Breeze, since I've read theirs is even better. Then I'll try not to be too sad I can't eat it, what with all that delicious-yet-gut-murdery condensed milk in it. (I don't miss much going Low Fodmap, but I do miss that!)

Now help me out, gang: am I missing anything obvious? Mum's not a big Disney or Uni fan, otherwise I'd have some fandom things in there. Or how about any party games or activities? ::thinks:: Should I write up some Florida-themed cards to play Apples to Apples?

 

I know this is a silly thing to share, but maybe it'll inspire you the next time you're seeing a loved one off to parts unknown. Themed gifts like this are so much fun to brainstorm, and if there's one thing I've learned from Mum, it's to make EVERYTHING, no matter how mundane, just a little bit extra.

In fact, this is also your reminder to celebrate something silly this week. Go try that new donut place across town, or dress up for no reason, or break out your favorite childhood movie and watch it with an unsuspecting friend, ha. If you don't have an occasion, make one up. And please, please, take it too far. Make it silly, make it too much, make it extra. Then pass it on!

Or if you don't feel like celebrating, know that I get it. I've been there - the last few days, even - but eventually it does get better. Just wait. Just breathe. Then wait some more. I've found the more completely I let myself fall apart, the faster I come back together - so go ahead and fall apart. Everything will still be there to celebrate tomorrow, I promise.

::SQUEEZY INTERNET HUGS::