Mother’s Day Gifts From A Distance

 

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If you’re like me, this Mother’s Day, all you want to do is hug your mom. A few weeks ago, I did a porch drop off for my mom and waved to her through her front window as I got back into my car. Misty-eyed, I swallowed the lump in my throat. This pandemic really makes you realize what you used to take for granted. 

Celebrating during COVID-19 presents some challenges, and this weekend will be no different, as we celebrate all the moms, step-moms, grandmothers and maternal figures in our lives. Mother’s Day can be a difficult occasion for some under normal circumstances, and those people deserve to be spoiled too. So while we may not be able to hug our loved ones this Sunday, we can still do some things to ensure they feel appreciated and recognized.

Gifts

There are several local businesses that are making mom-specific gifts. Arabella Park is offering a Mother’s Day Goodie Bag that I honestly considered buying for myself — I don’t have kids, I just like presents. Each goodie bag has your choice of rosé or beer, a print by Trisha Abe, a eucalyptus bouquet from The Danes Market and a house-made brownie. 

Following the alcohol theme, Public Kitchen and Bar is selling cocktail kits. If your mom has been known to knock back a few, bring the bar to her house with these awesome kits.

While everyone’s favourite local gift shop Gifted is closed for walk-ins, they have been busy taking orders via Instagram. I suggest one of their cute spring doormats to brighten anyone’s day!

There are tons of local makers in Kitchener-Waterloo who are still taking online orders for beautiful handmade gifts. Check out BRFC for glassware and graphic tees, Leigh in Stitches for beautiful embroidered art pieces, Glitter and Clay for unique, handmade clay jewelry or Bangs and Braids for cute handmade hair accessories. That’s just the short list — there are way more local makers in KW than I can list here.  

Most local florists and nurseries are open, whether they’re offering online ordering or curbside pickup. The Floral Studio Co. is offering special Mom’s Day bouquets. If you’re looking to get flowers, I suggest looking now. Belmont Flowers announced curbside pick up but has since stopped taking orders due to high volumes. Remember that most small businesses like florists are working with much smaller crews. Be nice, and plan ahead. 

Food 

Sending Mom food has literally never been easier. Check if her favourite restaurant is doing take out, and order some to her door. Gilt Restaurant and the Cambridge Mill are offering brunch boxes to make this weekend extra special. My personal suggestion is to check out Swine and Vine — they’re offering brunch and charcuterie boxes. 

If the mom you’re celebrating is your partner, find a recipe and cook it for her. Even if you’re not a chef, she’ll appreciate the effort — also Allison Roman cooking videos are extremely easy to follow. 

Once again, a lot of restaurants doing take out are limited in their ability to take on a lot of orders right now, so have a backup plan if it doesn’t work out. I suggest packing up a deconstructed dinner in a bag and doing a porch drop. Buy some fancy cheese, meat, crusty bread and infused oil — voila!

Crafts 

If you have kids that want to give gifts to moms, grandmas, aunties, whoever — it’s time to get creative! Get your kids to paint Mom a picture, find some smooth rocks outside that can be painted as ladybugs or make a bouquet of tissue paper roses with all that tissue you saved from Christmas. 

If you’re not a child, but you still like crafts, try making Mom some jewelry at home. My personal favourite is a macaroni necklace, but you can actually make some really beautiful clay jewelry at home if you watch enough YouTube tutorials. Len’s Mill, a go-to source for fabric, yarn, craft and home supplies is offering delivery and curbside pickup at their Waterloo and Cambridge locations.   

If you hate crafts, and your mom is the kind of lady who will throw out any trash that you make for her, try sending her some craft beer. Check out our local list of breweries offering delivery or curbside pick up. 

This Mother’s Day will require some extra planning, but don’t let this pandemic get in the way of telling that special person that you appreciate them.