CREATIVE TOUCHES
No breakfast in bed? No brunch? Find some creative ways to connect
Inspiring ideas to honour Mom
Celebrating mothers will be a very homegrown affair this year.
With COVID-19 restrictions putting a kibosh on brunch gatherings and restaurant dinners, families will have to get creative this year in how they toast moms. Following are some tips for making the day something special.
BEST-LAID PLANS
You will need to preplan in order to pull anything off, says Meredith Youngson, a Canadian food blogger.
“A virtual Mother’s Day experience requires us to ask ourselves: What video call app does Mom know how to use? Some moms are more tech-advanced. Would FaceTime work on her phone? Or does she use Facebook on her tablet? Would Video Chat on Messenger be a good option? There are also Zoom, Houseparty and other apps that could work, too.”
The most important thing is to go over this with your mom in advance of Mother’s Day and give the app a test run with her so you’re set up once the day arrives.
TWO OF EVERYTHING
Whether you’ve decided to create and enjoy a meal together, or indulge in a self-care spa day with Mom, you’ll need to take a “one for me, one for Mom” attitude as you will want to mirror each other’s experience over your chosen video app. If you’re going to cook together, set up your sharing app or FaceTime while you both prepare and then share the meal. Or if cooking isn’t your thing, then order in from the same restaurant and plan ahead for it to arrive at the same time.
SET THE TONE
Use your virtual day with Mom for feeling good, happy and really connecting. Since the day is about Mom, consider these topics for your conversation: Your favourite childhood memory, your favourite recipe of hers, how she’s inspired your personal style, how much you miss her, and more. At the start of your video call, set the mood and have fun.
“You’re going to be making something and she’s going to be making something. It’s not going to be perfect but that’s not the point,” Youngson said. “Play up that you’re cooking on video. Impersonate your favourite TV chefs.
Spills happen. Something might get burnt. Laugh off any potential stresses and bond over the laughter on your call.”
PLAN A
MOTHER’S DAY REDO
Celebrating Mother’s Day apart can be emotionally challenging, so end your call with a plan to do it again — but together in person when the pandemic restrictions are eased. Plan a day when she can come over and you can re-create your virtual Mother’s Day — same meal, same tea, same face masks.
QUALITY TIME
If you are both healthy and feel up to it, consider getting outside for a walk while still respecting social distancing rules. Everyone has been cooped up for so long, that some fresh air can only do the body good. Take this time to deliver something meaningful to your mom.
OFF-THE-CUFF GIFT IDEAS
While most shopping has been curtailed with store closures, think of things more personal to celebrate Mother’s Day. Every mom enjoys being spoiled, whether it’s breakfast in bed and handmade drawings from younger children or books, wine and treats from adult offspring.
If your mom lives in the city and is an avid reader, books are a thoughtful gift. It shows you took the time to consider her tastes in literature. Select Indigo stores offer curbside pickup.
Chocolates and sweet treats can be purchased through curbside pickup or in store at many city chocolate shops and bakeries. Fresh flowers have been arriving in droves, so pick up a sweet posy at your favourite flower shop. Hydrangeas make a statement, but so do bundles of tulips.
For moms who enjoy a pint or a cool G&T now that spring has sprung, there are also many brewers and distillers open for sales. Some of the brewers remain open for pickup but if your favourite has shut the shop, you can still get the goods at your local liquor store.
And even though handwashing has been burned into our brains by now, a gift of handcrafted soap can take the sting out of isolation. As the economy slowly restarts, call your favourite retailers or go online to see if they’re open for business.
Or just give your mom the gift of your time with a phone call or a physically distant visit. That’s more welcome than any purchase would be.