You want to get your mom something special and gorgeous for Mother’s Day, but you’re just not inspired by floral arrangements. Maybe you’ve sent flowers in previous years, or maybe your mom has allergies.

Nowadays, most florists offer some interesting alternatives to flowers that you can consider.

• Balloon bouquets can be fun and festive, and they are particularly appropriate if your mom is in the hospital or confined to her home for Mother’s Day. They’re cheerful and don’t add any allergens to the environment. If your mom is a passioante environmentalist, this may not be the best idea; balloons are made of one of those substances that clog landfills.
• Cookie bouquets are edible treats with a big wow factor and have become so popular there are even specialists in this field. They’re not the best choice for diabetic or weight-watching moms!
• Plants are a great alternative to the traditional floral arrangement if your mom has a green thumb. You don’t necessarily need a yard or even a balcony for these assortments; a cactus or ivy plant can grow indoors for years.
• If your mom has a yard, consider getting a young tree from the florist. Many saplings can arrive as an arrangement not much bigger than a standard plant but can be transplanted in the yard and will grow for years to come. Norfolk pines are a great “little” tree that gets super-sized quickly. If your mom lives in a warm climate, a young citrus tree (lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, etc.) can be a fun gift.
• Some florists may be able to make you a “herb garden” in a planter that can go immediately outdoors. This is a great gift if your mom likes to cook but isn’t much of a gardener. If your mom is already a big-time gardener, she probably already has herbs planted.
• Bonsai or miniature trees are a hobbyist thing, but they can make an unusual and distinctive gift. They’re living trees, but they stay very small. This is a great gift if your mom has the right place to put the display. If she’s already crowded, this is not such a hot idea.
• Ask your florist for his or her recommendations, since he may know of great things he can get that you wouldn’t think of. For example, you can get your mom an orchid, African violets, an indoor ficus tree, or a rose tree. Be careful about insisting your florist come up with something specific. For instance, if your florist really has no good source for orchids, insisting he get something like that may yield disappointing results. Instead, ask for the florist’s recommendations of unusual plants and see what sounds like it would delight your mother.

If you look at this list of alternative items, you may be tempted to go out and purchase or even make the items yourself. Remember your florist provides you with delivery and service options.

If your mom lives down the street, by all means, shopping at the local nursery for an orchid can be a good solution. But if your mom lives far away, you need to figure out a way to be sure your gift is delivered on time and in great condition. (Hint: the Post Office is not always your best bet.)