Web Worker Daily

In the U.S. we’re celebrating Mother’s Day on May 13th, less than two weeks away. What are you going to buy your favorite web working mom? Inspired by lists of gift ideas for geek moms (here and here), the WWD writers came up with a few gift ideas that a web surfing, web working mom might like.

Kids’ artwork desktop image or screensaver. Scan the kids’ best paintings, drawings, or collages and resize if necessary. Sneak into her office (or grab her laptop when it’s home from work) and load it up. You’ll give her a completely personal gift that doesn’t cost any money.

A Flickr pro account. For $24.95 a year, she gets unlimited storage, uploads, bandwidth, and sets along with permanent archiving of her high-resolution originals. If she already has that (or isn’t much of a photographer), think about other premium accounts — maybe Mozy or Carbonite backup for her overloaded hard drive, Yahoo! Mail Plus for that old Yahoo! account that could be POP accessed by her main email client, or a subscription to Salon so she doesn’t have to watch ads to get a site pass.

Webcam. Most new computers these days come with them, but if hers doesn’t, maybe she’d like one. Moms of college-age kids might be especially pleased with such a gift, if only they could get the kids to call!

Gift certificate to her favorite coffee spot. She can treat herself to a latte or macchiato on the days she needs it most and won’t have to take time away from her busy day for an 80-minute massage or 45-minute pedicure. Of course, many web working moms would like to have a spa break from the kids and the Internet.

You know her best — would she rather have a bunch of little treats that don’t cut into work and family time or one big pampering break from it all?

Noise-canceling headset. If she works from home or in a noisy cubicle farm, a noise-canceling headset will shut the world out and let her get some work done. You don’t have to buy those expensive Bose ones marketed in every airport; they’re kind of clunky-looking anyway. CNET likes the JVC HA-NCX77 noise canceling earbuds at less than $100 and the streamlined Sennheiser PXC 300 at around the $200 mark.

New laptop bag. Even if she already has one, maybe it’s gotten tired or out of fashion. Perhaps she’d like a casual one to go with her more formal case or a backpack style to tote it easily for travel. You’re not limited to simple black leather or nylon. Check out Web Worker Daily’s buying guide to see the range of possibilities.

A giant balance ball to replace the office chair. Our backs hurt after a long day at the computer and our abdominal muscles could use some toning. A balancing ball will strengthen core muscles while easing back pain.

To size it correctly, figure out the measurement from her posterior to the floor. If her office chair fits well, measure from the seat of that and add a few inches since the ball will sink a bit when she sits on it. The largest for adults is 75 centimeters, a good size for somebody five feet six and higher. Fitball is a good source, as is SPRI Products. You can even find them at your local Target, K-Mart, or Wal-Mart.

Share your own gift ideas in the comments.