What moms really want
Unique, Atlantic Canadian gifts to help make moms feel special this Mother’s Day
W hat do moms really want for Mother’s Day? We want a week with the Queer Eye Fab Five swooning over us. All the attention, the pampering, the life coaching, a new wardrobe, a makeover, and a brand new, organized kitchen. With Antoni in it cooking us brunch? While the rest of our lives are seemingly on pause? Yes, please!
We want to check into a fancy hotel with peace, solitude, and a good book, have a king-size bed to ourselves, order room service, and have all the spa treatments.
But it has to be a grand prize, so we don’t feel guilty about spending the money on ourselves.
We also want to hang out with our children — but without any of the work or discipline, like a favourite auntie who swoops in for nothing but fun. We’ll spoil them with treats and undivided attention, rile them up and wear them out without consequence.
We won’t worry about whether this activity is meeting their developmental needs or whether their questionable behaviour is a reflection of our parenting.
Then we’ll hand them off to someone else to clean them up and put them to bed, and head out to meet our girlfriends for drinks.
Sarah O’brien is a brand-new mom to seven-week-old Zoey, and already knows just what a mom wants.
“Is it bad if I say two hours to myself to nap and shower?” she says. “And a bottle of wine?”
If that’s bad, mom’s don’t want to be good.
Lindsay Glass is a busy, full-time working mom to two girls under five.
“I don’t want anything I would normally buy myself. Think indulgence,” she says.
She’s dreaming of a spa day, gift certificate to her favourite store or a subscription to a wine club.
“Or a chef in my house to host a dinner!”
Essentially, moms want to feel appreciated for all they give day-in, day-out. A little pampering never hurt either.
But, if you really want to give mom a gift, here are 10 unique ideas from around Atlantic Canada.
NOVA 7
A great choice for moms because: wine. This iconic Nova Scotia rosé is slightly effervescent and perfectly celebratory, plus we start drinking it at brunch. Pairs well with spicy foods, dessert and quality time with mom.
Available at NSLC, PEILCC and NLC stores and online at https:// www.benjaminbridge.com/shop
PEACE BY CHOCOLATE
Satisfy mom’s sweet tooth and add a little peace to her day with a treat from Peace by Chocolate. The signature Peace bar is made with creamy milk chocolate and crunchy hazelnut pieces. Splurge for the Mother’s Week gift box including seven days of assorted classic Syrian chocolates handcrafted in Atlantic Canada.
Available at Sobeys, Foodland and Safeway locations across Canada
or online at peacebychocolate.ca/collections/all
TIDAL SALT
Gourmet ingredients can’t always be top of the grocery list, so splurge for the good stuff for Mom this year. Tidal Salt harvests and sells 35 gram jars of gourmet Atlantic Canadian sea salt in all kinds of eclectic flavours. The sampler box is a great place to start with an assortment of flavoured sea salts, including their signature Basil, Blackrocks and Fire blends.
Available online at tidalsalt.ca/collections/all
ESSENTIAL OILS
We all know the importance of self-care, so help mom on her way to calm and relaxation with a Saje Natural Wellness body oil she can tip into the bath or use as an all-over body moisturizer. The key ingredients of the Lavender and Friends blend will help calm the mind (lavender), sooth nerves (clary sage), and brighten her mood (geranium). Available at Saje Natural Wellness stores and online at saje.com/ca/body-oils/
BAD MOUTH SOAP
Moms love a little luxury and these high-quality, pop-culture inspired bars of handcrafted soap are lightly scented, highly moisturizing and gentle on skin. They’re made with simple, mostly organic, locally sourced ingredients. Pick one that relates to mom or something she loves, be it The Handmaid’s Tale, Game of Thrones or Beyonce.
Available online at badmouthsoap.com/products
FOXHOUND COLLECTION CANDLES
The Foxhound Collection candles are hand-poured natural soy wax candles with delicate, unique fragrances like Earl Grey and patchouli and mint. The sleek and modern aesthetic of these jars look great on display, and with a burn time of over 50 hours, mom doesn’t have to save this candle for a special day — she can enjoy it again and again. Bonus points if mom has time to take a candlelit bath alone.
Available at various retail shops and online at foxhoundcolllection.com
SUBSCRIPTION BOXES
These boxes are all the rage right now. Who doesn’t love special deliveries arriving on their doorstep filled with goodies for pampering or help make life easier? With most boxes being delivered bi-monthly or quarterly, it’s the gift that gives all year long. From lifestyle boxes to meal kits and wine subscriptions you might win Mother’s Day with one of these. Try a subscription box from Lady Baker’s Tea for the tea drinking mamas in your life. It comes with three varieties of unique, custom blend tea (enough for about 30 cups), tea filters and a surprise gift.
Available online at ladybakerstea.com
KISMET CHARMS
Jewelry fit for Queen Bey is jewelry fit for Mom. Yes, Beyonce’s been spotted sporting House of Moda’s signature pieces, and so should mom. From bold and beautiful statement pieces to dainty and elegant sterling silver, these jewels are handcrafted with a combination of Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones. The Kismet charm collection is a sweet idea for moms. Select a chain, then add a special personal charm or two. The Tree of Life or handwritten ‘Mama” charms are great choices for Mother’s Day. Bonus: you can keep adding to mom’s collection over time.
Available online at houseofmoda.ca/shop/
DATE NIGHT
Maybe the best gift of all could be the gift of your time. Why not get mom tickets to something you can look forward to doing together? Be it the movies, a night at the theatre or an upcoming concert, a cooking class or yoga session, the memories will last a lifetime.
Search for events in your city at ticketmaster.ca or check out movie times at cineplex.com. Sign up online at modoyoga.com and drop into a Modo Yoga class together.
THANK YOU CARD
Halifax Paper Hearts creates incredibly unique, creative and cute note cards complete with quirky characters. They are the perfect way to send a thoughtful thank you and spark some joy in your mom’s day. Let the card do the talking or include a heartfelt, handwritten note that says how much you care about her. Bonus points if it’s something she can frame and proudly display.
Available at various retail shops and online at halifaxpaperhearts.com