Why not celebrate special occasions like Mother's Day, graduation and weddings with gifts of style that have a personal touch? How about giving that incredible mom, special graduate or bride and groom a gift of your time? Set aside a few hours for a closet update, a shopping trip or beauty makeover. Here are a few ways to give a gift they'll cherish forever.

—Give Mom a Closet Update. Most of us would welcome a little help when it comes to cleaning out our closets. But do we really want to impose that thankless decluttering job on our nearest relatives? No, we'd never ask. But if someone gave us a "gift" of their time and specifically dedicated it to clearing away our fashion cobwebs, wow, we would really appreciate that, wouldn't we? And besides, when moms and daughters devote an afternoon going through all those old clothes and shoes, you never know what you may find. Besides finding some of my grandmother's cherished jewelry tucked away in an old handbag, my mother and I spent hours sharing old memories and lots of family stories. And, of course, she really appreciated the fact that at the end of the day, I packed up all the clothes she no longer needed and took them away to Goodwill. Now, that's a gift anyone would love!

—Treat the new mom. Baby showers are always appreciated by new moms. But treating them to a gift of your time can be even more special than receiving those bundles of blankets and diapers. Instead, arrange for a babysitter and take her out for a spa day. What better way than an outdoor message to relax? Or indulge in a brunch or tea time at a girly place where you can eat and shop at the same time. A change of "venue" can be a beautiful blessing to a frazzled mom who gets to dress up and take a break for a few hours.

—Take your nephew shopping. Got a very special graduate in your life? Whether they're graduating from high school or college, it is an exciting time for them, and rather than just writing them a check or giving them a gift card, why not make your gift even more special by setting aside some time for a shopping trip? Graduates always have a list of "must-haves" in mind — for a new campus or a new workplace. So pick a time that you can both leisurely shop together and possibly have coffee or brunch. You don't have to turn your shopping trip into a mad marathon. Instead, have fun and make it a bonding experience. They'll remember it for years to come!

—Say "yes" to the dress. Shopping for bridal gowns and honeymoon wardrobes may draw sighs from most of us who aren't actually participating in the wedding ceremony itself, but that's why you have aunts and uncles and "special friends" who fill in the sartorial gaps so to speak. One of my most cherished memories is taking a friend's daughter shopping for a cocktail dress to wear to her sister's wedding and reception. We spent most of the day laughing in the dressing rooms of more than a few stores. I am, however, looking forward to the day (I think) I will go shopping with my own daughter for her wedding dress. I hope a few of our own "special friends" will want to be part of the experience!

To find out more about Sharon Mosley, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.