Mother's Day Archives - London Drugs Blog

6 Apps and Tips to Virtually Connect with Mom this Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day may look a little different, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend quality time with “World’s Best Mom”. With the power of technology, you’ll still be able to your latest life updates with Mom – it will feel as if they are right at the Sunday brunch table with you! We’ve compiled a list of video call apps and equipment to use, as well as some set up tips and tricks to help make this year’s virtual Mother’s Day a memorable one.

Best Apps to use for Video Calling

With all the apps and services out there to choose from, it might be overwhelming to know which one to use. Below, we have broken down some great video calling apps, and what sets them apart to help you choose the right one for you.

Zoom
Zoom is an excellent choice if you have larger families, as you can call with up to 100 people using their free plan, although only for 40 minutes of video calling. It works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here for a Zoom how-to set up guide.

Facetime
Facetime is great for those Apple product lovers, as it works on all Apple devices such as iPads, iPhones and Mac computers and laptops. You can host a video call for up to 32 people. Click here for how to set up FaceTime.

WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a great choice for video calls when you have friends and family living across the globe. You can have up to 4 users, and the calls are on the phone’s data plan or via WiFi, so voice calls do not use up any of your phone minutes. It works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here on how to set up a WhatsApp group video call.

Skype
Skype is another great app to use, especially if you have family living in other countries. What makes it a little better than Whatsapp is that it lets you make free international calls online for up to 100 people for audio or video conferencing on any device (Hello, big virtual family gathering!) Works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here for how to set up a group chat in Skype.

Houseparty
If you love being the life of the party (or your friends and family do), you’ll love Houseparty. It’s a social networking app that allows up to 8 people to video chat at once in a “room,” plus you can also play games on it, such as Heads Up!, Trivia, Quick Draw and more! Works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here to learn more about Houseparty and how to set it up.

Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger lets you easily chat and video call with your friends and family. It’s great because most of your friends and family will probably already have it if they have a Facebook account, making it an excellent choice for those who aren’t as tech-savvy. Plus, video calls have a limit of 50 users. Works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here for how to set up Facebook Messenger group video chat.

Set Up Tips

Lighting
Of course, you’ll want to look your best when video calling with your Mom, since she may request a group screenshot to capture the moment. If you are using a laptop, set up a light source behind and above your screen. This way, your face will be nicely lit up and visible. Also, use lighting from multiple sources and angles, so that it is dispersed nice and evenly. This can help you avoid harsh shadows casting on your face or in the background.

Sound Check
Nothing is worse than not being able to hear your video caller, or them struggling to hear you. If you have a microphone plugged in, make sure your computer isn’t sticking to its default audio input device. Check by making sure your microphone settings on your computer are correct. You can check on a Mac computer by clicking the volume control in the menu bar and selecting “sound options.” In the “Input” tab, make sure that your external microphone is selected from the list. Once it is selected, ensure that the “Input level” bar is moving to show that the computer is picking up any sound. Lastly, check that the volume slider isn’t all the way down.

If you’re using a PC, right click the volume icon in the taskbar and select sounds. Choose the “Recording” tab and choose your external microphone from the list. If you are using you computer for the first time or it is fairly new, you can select “Set up microphone” to go through the Microphone Setup Wizard.

Go Hands-Free
If you don’t have a laptop and will be using your phone, instead of awkwardly propping it up on your table, use a mini or table top tripod. This way, you can eat or do other things while you chat with friends and family. As well, many tripods have convenient, bendable legs that you can securely place on any type of surface or wrap around anything, like a floor lamp post.

Tidy Up!
Lastly, if you’re planning a video call with Mom, make sure the space in the background is somewhat tidy. The last thing you want is a big pile of dirty laundry sitting in plain sight, or the dishes you forgot to put in the dishwasher the night before on the counter behind you. It’s not the end of the world, but it might save you some embarrassment (and nagging)!

Take it to the Big Screen

If you have your set up ready to go, take it one step further and run your video calls through your TV screen! It is a lot better than hunching over a laptop or trying to see everyone on a tiny mobile screen. If you have any Apple or iOS devices, use a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter. Just plug the adapter into an HDMI cable, hook the cable up to the TV, and switch to the appropriate input.

If your laptop has an HDMI port, you can also simply plug an HDMI cable from the laptop straight into your TV. For newer Macs and Windows PCs with USB-C ports, you can use a USB-C to HDMI cable. Once you have plugged it in, press Windows-P on a Windows laptop to switch between display modes. Choosing “Second-screen only” will disable your laptop’s screen while it’s connected to the TV.

BONUS TIP: If you own a camera, you can also check out our blog on Using Your Camera as a Webcam | How-To Guide for Better Video Calling at Home.

We hope you found this blog helpful on how to virtually connect with your Mom this Mother’s Day. From choosing the right video call app or service, to setting up, and even using your TV for enhanced visual and sound, it will feel like your Mom is right there with you!

For some last-minute Mother’s Day gift inspiration, be sure to read our blog on Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas That Will Warm Her Heart.

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas That Will Warm Her Heart

If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, not to worry! With Mother’s Day being a bit earlier this year, even the most seasoned gifter might be a little off their game. Luckily, there are still plenty of Mother’s Day gift ideas that are not only quick and easy to order but are still thoughtful and made with love. From one-of-a-kind cards to personalized mugs and photo books, below are some of our Photolab’s top last-minute gift ideas that will warm her heart.

A Thoughtful Mug for Mom

Showing mom you think she’s the best mom ever is easy: just put it on a mug! You can add personalized text to any of our Photolab’s mugs, so you can tell her exactly how much you care for her. Add a photo of your choice as well – one she will be able to cherish for years to come.

If you have young kids, you can encourage them to design their own special mugs for mom with the help of our Take and Create Books. These books are full of templates for items including our mugs, which they can draw their own artwork in, and then have those drawings digitized and printed on a mug (or other gift items). You can learn more about our Take and Create Books here.

Our mugs can be ready for pick-up in just 24 hours, making them an excellent choice if you’re in a pinch for a last-minute gift. Plus, they only take a few minutes to customize!

A Special Locket Full of Love

With a personalized locket, mom can keep her loved ones close to her heart at all times. Choose from locket-sized photos in various shapes, including circle, heart, oval, and square, to match your chosen locket. Each print also comes with a variety of sizes from 1”x1” to 0.2”x0.2” so you can pick the one that fits perfectly.

If you’re gifting to a senior/grandmother, it could also be a thoughtful surprise to include old photos of her and her children. Rather than cutting up the originals though, make sure they’re digitized first! Our Photo Scanning Box service can help you digitize large amounts of old print photos quickly and easily.

These locket prints are ready for pick up in just 24 to 72 hours at most of our locations.

A Photoshoot Just for Her

Treat mom to a photoshoot that’s all about her! This gift requires no prep time at all but is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for your mom and how beautiful she is inside and out. Hire a local photographer, or pick up a camera and stage your own photoshoot at home for her. You can include the kids as well, but take some photos just of her too. Make sure to mention in your ‘Mother’s Day Photo Shoot’ gift that she’ll receive a selection of prints/enlargements or a canvas gallery wrap to commemorate the experience and preserve those special images. This can also be a thoughtful gift for a mom-to-be!

If you’re looking for pointers for doing your at-home photoshoot, make sure to check out our DIY Studio modules; it’s free to sign up, and you’ll get all kinds of helpful tips from pro photographer Erin Manning in each module. For your Mother’s Day photoshoot, we recommend checking out the modules on ‘Composition Tips’ and ‘Lighting Techniques.’

A Photo Book of ‘Moments with Mom’

So many of our most memorable moments in life are often with mom. Help her cherish them by preserving all of your favourite moments with mom in a fully personalized photo book. Hand-pick the photos displayed on each page, and even add thoughtful notes to tell her why those moments mean the world to you. Don’t worry about the design element – we have a Mother’s Day template all set to go for you, so you can simply drag and drop your images!

If you’re tight on time, not to worry. Our Express Book, an 8×8 photographic book with a leatherette cover, is easy to customize and ready for pick-up in just 24 to 72 hours.

A One-of-a-Kind Mother’s Day Card

Sometimes there just isn’t a Mother’s Day card in the card aisle that says exactly what you want to say. That’s where our personalized greeting cards come in. They can be customized with any theme and photo(s) of your choosing, plus you can add a truly personal and heartfelt message for mom that is one-of-a-kind. Just knowing you took the time to make a card for her is sure to warm her heart!

Left it a little late? Just because you’re looking for a Mother’s Day card last minute doesn’t mean it can’t still be thoughtful. Our single-sided photo cards and premium folded greeting cards on photographic paper can be customized and ready for pick-up in just 24 to 72 hours!

A Photo Button for the #1 Mom

Tell the world your mom is #1 by designing a photo button that she can proudly wear all Mother’s Day like a badge of honour! Want it to say something else besides ‘#1 Mom’? While ordering, add any text (and photo) you like! Our buttons are fully customizable. We also have both 3” and 1.25” round buttons, as well as heart-shaped buttons to choose from.

If you’re thinking of ordering one for your mom, just make sure not to leave it too last minute: our photo buttons are ready for pick-up in just 5 to 7 days.

To customize your Mother’s Day gifts on-the-go, just download our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android to order straight from your smartphone! Otherwise, you can also always order through our Photolab online or in-store using our kiosks. For exact turnaround times, please check with your local London Drugs Photolab.

5 ways to Have a Fantastic Mother’s Day at Home

Mother’s Day will feel a little different than normal this year, but it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your mom! In lieu of going out, we’ve come up with 5 ideas you can do indoors to still help your mom feel special.

Home Spa

Forget trips to the spa or the cancelled mani-pedi appointments – bring the spa to you at home. Set the mood with a diffuser and your mom’s favourite essential oil or use a bluetooth speaker to play soft spa music.

Breakfast in Bed

Let mom sleep in, then bring her breakfast in bed to help her feel extra special. Blend up a smoothie, whip up an omelette, or prepare fresh waffles with a cup of coffee. Go that extra step and make sure to clean up afterwards!

Movie Night

Throw on some pajamas, get comfy, and throw the ultimate movie night at home for mom. Browse our selection of DVDs and Blu-ray to pick out some of her favourites. Don’t forget to grab some snacks and beverages for mid-movie munchies!

High Tea

Celebrate mom and help her feel like a queen with an afternoon of High Tea at home. With our tea selection, we’re sure you’ll find her favourite flavour. Plus our range of European snacks and crackers are sure to make this tea time feel extra authentic.

Games Day

Have a little fun by organizing a games day for mom. Pick up her favourite board games and let the competition begin, or even tackle a 1,000 piece puzzle with her. Not only is it a great way to spend indoors, but we’re sure she’ll appreciate the quality time.

Mother’s Day Gifts Made at Home with Love

If you’ve already exhausted your supply of puzzles, we’ve got a new activity to keep yourself and the kids busy while self-isolating. Our Photolab’s free Take and Create Book is now available online! Even better, you can use this Take and Create Book to create unique and personalized gifts for Mother’s Day – right from home in 4 easy steps.

1. Get your Take and Create Book

You can pick up your free Take and Create Book at our Photolab if you happen to be in-store, but if you’d like to get your hands on a copy while you’re self-isolating at home, you can simply download it here.

2. Fill in the Templates

These Take and Create Books are full of templates for custom gifts like mugs (for mom’s daily cuppa joe) and ornaments (to hang in her car or anywhere at home) that both you and your kids can draw and colour in. Let the creativity flow! Have the kids write a special message for mom, or draw an image they think mom will love. You can even put your artistic skills to the test too – doodle something that shows your appreciation for your own mom. It makes a great art activity for an afternoon indoors. Plus, mom is sure to appreciate that you crafted her Mother’s Day gift yourself.

3. Scan Your Drawings

Once you’re done filling in the book, simply scan the templates using an at-home scanner or a smartphone scanning app to digitize them as image files. Crop what’s outside the template lines, and you’ll be all set to upload to our Photolab’s website or to our London Drugs Photolab App (available for iOS and Android).

4. Upload to our Photolab

After your images are uploaded, you’ll be able to browse our Photolab’s products to find the ones that match your templates, like mugs and ornaments. Then just customize each gift with your images, and choose delivery to have them shipped directly to your home!

All done making a gift for mom and looking for another activity to pass the time? We can help you customize your own puzzles! Just choose a photo, and our Photolab can turn it into a puzzle with 25, 114, 120 or even 1,000 pieces.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas to Treat Your Beautiful Mom

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and if you’re still a bit lost on how to surprise mom, we’ve got you covered with some thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas. Mom has done so much for us. She literally gave us life, has shown us unconditional love…and maybe even taught us all of her beauty secrets! So of course, she deserves something extra special on Mother’s Day. Something to make her feel pampered and cared for, and to show her how thankful we are that she is in our lives.

To help you find the right Mother’s Day gift to treat your amazing mom, Tasha from The Open Journal is here with her top gift ideas found right in the London Drugs Beauty department. Just watch the video below to check out all of her picks – from fabulous fragrances and luxury skincare mom wouldn’t otherwise splurge on herself, to natural pampering products and makeup specially formulated for mom’s beautifully mature skin!

Think one of Tasha’s top picks would be the perfect gift for your mom? You can shop all of Tasha’s Mother’s Day beauty gift ideas here.

And of course, stay tuned for more beauty videos, coming soon to our YouTube channel!

22 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day in 2019

Mother’s Day presents are so easy when you’re a kid. Paint her a picture, treat her to breakfast in bed, and her day is made just knowing that you thought of her.

As we grow up it can get a little more difficult. What’s a good enough gift for the woman who made you the person you are today? Honestly, though, the same principle applies: show her that you thought about her, that you love her, and that’s all that matters.

Whether you’re celebrating your mom, or another important mother figure in your life, these thoughtful gifts will show how much you care.

Take Care of Her

Show your mom how much you love her with gifts that help keep her healthy and well!

A Fitbit or Apple Watch is a fun way to keep her active, monitor her heart rate, and help her get a good night’s sleep. The Apple Watch even has an emergency SOS feature that can initiate a call for help when it notices a dangerous irregular heart rhythm.

For a mom who likes to exercise, the iHome Bluetooth Water Bottle is another great gift, with a built-in Bluetooth speaker to make exercising and staying hydrated more enjoyable.

Oral health is an incredibly important part of overall health. A rechargeable toothbrush is more effective than a regular toothbrush, removing up to seven times more plaque and ensuring that users brush the full recommended two minutes per session. Plus, brushes like the Philips Sonicare Health White Electric Toothbrush have “White” modes specifically focused on removing stains from the visible front teeth, making her smile even more perfect for those pictures you’ll be taking.

Know an expecting mother? Make her life easier with a breast pump. It can help her continue to feed her child breastmilk when she’s away or goes back to work, help other family members like dad to feed and bond with the baby, and can help her maintain her milk supply. There are even smart breast pumps with connected apps to track pumping and feeding!

Pamper Her

Give her the gift of relaxation with an aromatherapy diffuser and TheraPearl eye mask. She can work out the kinks with a Homedics Percussion Massager and Foot Spa with soothing heat and gentle vibrations. Then she can light a stress relief candle with eucalyptus and spearmint scents, or turn on a Himalayan salt lamp to improve the energy in the room. She’s done so much for you over the years, now it’s time to pamper her.

Entertain Her

You can’t go wrong with tech toys these days. Show your mom you still think she’s hip and modern with the latest in technology, like an iPad Mini or a Kobo Reader.

Noise cancelling headphones make travelling a dream while cute phone cases keep her stylish.

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

If you can’t think of what to say to your mother to thank her for all she’s done for you, say it with pictures. Photos of your family will do so much to remind her what an important figure she is within the family.

With the London Drugs Photolab, it’s easy to make a customized card, photo book, poster, and more, each available in a range of Mother’s Day themes. Pair it with a Polaroid Original Camera so she can keep creating those memories in the years to come.

Your mom deserves the best. Show her your love this year with a thoughtful gift from London Drugs.

#PicturePerfectMom Mother’s Day Giveaway

This Mother’s Day, the London Drugs Photolab is giving you a chance to surprise your mom with a beautiful print of your favourite family photo! Participate in our #PicturePerfectMom contest and you could win a 16×20 canvas gallery wrap with frame that would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift!

To enter for a chance to win:

Follow @LDPhotolab on Instagram or Twitter
Leave a comment on one of our giveaway posts on Instagram or Twitter, telling us why your mom is amazing!
Bonus entries: Post a photo with mom, along with the hashtag #PicturePerfectMom, on Instagram or Twitter.

Comment entries are limited to 1 entry per social network, however bonus entries are limited to 5 entries per social network, so share away to increase your chances of winning! The contest begins on April 24^th and will end on May 5^th. Winners will be announced the following day.

Can’t wait to surprise mom this year? Participate in the contest and you could be gifting her a beautiful 16×20 canvas gallery wrap with a family photo that she can cherish forever!

Don’t forget to check out our Mother’s Day photography tips to help inspire you to capture the perfect shot, and if you’re looking for a great location to snap those pictures, check out our blog highlighting the best spots across Canada.

Terms and Conditions

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) comment entry per social network per contest. Limit five (5) bonus entries per social network per contest. Limit one (1) prize may be won per household. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Time on May 5^th, 2019. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected.
Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since May 5, 2018; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as at May 5, 2019 (iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.
The winner will be randomly chosen by a judge on the day after the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must have correctly answered the skill-testing mathematical question on the entry form and must sign London Drug’s declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.
There will be 1 (one) prize awarded: the winner will receive one 16×20 canvas gallery wrap with frame worth approximately $139.98. Prize(s) must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. London Drugs reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should any prize become unavailable for any reason. Prize will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to the winner. Contests dates: April 24, 2019 – May 5, 2019. Draw Date: 12:00 PM Pacific Time May 6, 2019.
Selected entrants will be contacted by email, or social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winner does not respond then she/he will be notified for the second time, 2 (two) days after the first notification. If the winner still does not respond within 2 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.
The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.
London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).
This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs and their agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.
The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

6 Apps and Tips to Virtually Connect with Mom this Mother’s Day

Best Apps to use for Video Calling

Set Up Tips

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas That Will Warm Her Heart

A Thoughtful Mug for Mom

A Special Locket Full of Love

A Photoshoot Just for Her

A Photo Book of ‘Moments with Mom’

A One-of-a-Kind Mother’s Day Card

A Photo Button for the #1 Mom

5 ways to Have a Fantastic Mother’s Day at Home

Home Spa

Breakfast in Bed

Movie Night

High Tea

Games Day

Mother’s Day Gifts Made at Home with Love

1. Get your Take and Create Book

2. Fill in the Templates

3. Scan Your Drawings

4. Upload to our Photolab

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas to Treat Your Beautiful Mom

22 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day in 2019

Take Care of Her

Pamper Her

Entertain Her

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

#PicturePerfectMom Mother’s Day Giveaway

Terms and Conditions

Archive

Categories

Pages

Newsletter

6 Apps and Tips to Virtually Connect with Mom this Mother’s Day

Best Apps to use for Video Calling

Set Up Tips

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas That Will Warm Her Heart

A Thoughtful Mug for Mom

A Special Locket Full of Love

A Photoshoot Just for Her

A Photo Book of ‘Moments with Mom’

A One-of-a-Kind Mother’s Day Card

A Photo Button for the #1 Mom

5 ways to Have a Fantastic Mother’s Day at Home

Home Spa

Breakfast in Bed

Movie Night

High Tea

Games Day

Mother’s Day Gifts Made at Home with Love

1. Get your Take and Create Book

2. Fill in the Templates

3. Scan Your Drawings

4. Upload to our Photolab

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas to Treat Your Beautiful Mom

22 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day in 2019

Take Care of Her

Pamper Her

Entertain Her

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

#PicturePerfectMom Mother’s Day Giveaway

Terms and Conditions

Archive

Categories

Pages

Newsletter

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