Don't know about your mother, but my mother is Super!Christian, so I just get her religiously themed car decals, and other adorable things they sell.

As for the tea conversation, I'm not a huge tea person, but I ran into this amazing concept a while ago. It was blooming tea. Dried flowers folded up so that as the tea brews, the flower blooms in the cup. Use clear cups for the best effect. So (if you could find it) maybe some of that and a set of clear glasses/mugs?

Oh, and I haven't friended you for some reason, but it made me think... and I finally concluded that I found you via Pomme De Sang :)