Mother’s Day is just a few days away and this year is more challenging than ever to come up with a special something for that special woman. The one whom without, you wouldn’t be here. Many mothers’ number one request is time alone, but that may not be an option this year.
Ask yourself: What does your mom like? What does she like to do? What is something that she needs? And finally; what can she use right now? You may surprise yourself with an idea that you didn’t think of before.
Right now, taking your mom out to do an activity together isn’t the best idea with almost everything being closed, but you can always arrange to do something together at home.
But remember! You don’t want to make a mess that your mom is going to stress about afterwards. That entirely defeats the purpose of making her feel appreciated.
Support those local small businesses. They need support during these difficult times and many are offering online ordering and deliveries.
Here are some amazing Mother’s Day ideas:
1. Virtual Paint Nite Calgary:
Does your mom like art or floral arrangements? Does she enjoy learning new crafts? Book a Paint Nite or Plant Nite at Paint Nite by Yay maker. They are now offering virtual Paint Nite venues, however make sure you arrange to have snacks and art supplies ready beforehand.
You need: acrylic paint, paint brushes and canvases. Arrange to do it together or with the whole family.
2. Workshop Studios live stream Ceramic Workshops:
Learn to create mugs, bowls, vases and more. Workshop Studios has started offering live stream ceramic workshops where you can learn how to carve or sculpt.
Perfect for creating the ultimate personalized gift for your mom or you can do it with her. Workshop Studios delivers a kit to your door that includes everything you’ll need to complete the Workshop.
3. Make pizza or Pasta with the help of Cibo:
Limited to takeout or delivery, Cibo has meal kits that you can use to make your mom something special to eat or you can make it together. If all else fails and both of you aren’t the best of cooks you can always just order food off the menu, but it is always fun to let your hair down together and let loose. Cue the music!
4. Colour Me Mine Kensington:
Colour Me Mine is now offering to-go kits which is the perfect activity to do with your mom at home. Personally, one of my earliest memories of doing something creative with my mom (other than baking) is painting a sunset on a piece of pottery at Colour Me Mine. Make some memories with your mom that you can both treasure for a long time.
5. Take a virtual tour:
Virtually visit the Glenbow museum or see the Pandas at the Calgary Zoo with your mom. Social distancing has created new opportunities to experience Calgary and the best thing to do is make the most of it.
6. Books:
As an avid reader I can tell you that the best way to test how much you know someone is to choose a book that you think they may like to read.
From romance, to mystery, fantasy, or classics. Remember “The world is your stage.”
Prepare a quiet evening for your mom. With plenty of time to read the only thing she needs is peace and quiet and a nice, big cup of coffee (or tea), a new throw and plenty of books.
Several bookstores in Calgary are offering free delivery for Calgarians if you order their books online.
You can even arrange to read the book together–make a book club out of it.
Have themed snacks, dress up, and play games and take some Buzzfeed trivia, Kahoot or Quotev quizzes online and test each other’s knowledge. It is lots of fun and you will both remember that book for a long time.
Embark on an adventure together and you may be surprised by the similarities between your interests.
You can always use Calgary Public Library’s online access and choose from a wide variety of Ebooks and audiobooks. Did you know that with your library card you have free access to websites such as Hoopla Digital and RB Digital?
7. Breakfast in Bed:
As the saying goes: it doesn’t hurt to stick to the classics. Several restaurants across Calgary are offering free delivery options, so you don’t necessarily need to know how to cook.
There is no excuse not to treat your mom like the queen she is and breakfast in bed is the least she deserves for carrying you for nine months and literally feeding your life with her blood, sweat and tears.
Now–a–days ordering food is as easy as a click of a button. From restaurant to catering companies, food providers have pivoted their in-house dining experience to impress you in yours!
Catering Company Fork and Farm has even began to create complete multi day offerings, including a pretty phenomenal weekend Mother’s Day dinner and next day brunch complete with cake, flowers and a card!
8. Flowers:
Plant & Esme are only two options out of a wide variety of local, online ordering services you can use to brighten up your mom’s day.
Order her favourites. Make sure neither of you are allergic.
Take it from me, saying “Happy Mother’s Day,” while you are sneezing your guts out makes for a difficult experience.
9. Spa Day:
Order face masks, bath bombs and other beauty products from your local Shoppers, London Drugs, Sephora, Walmart or beauty supply stores.
Break out your personal supply or even make your own masks, scrubs and nail polish for a home spa day with your mom.
Add a freshly made LUSH product to really spice things up.
Make sure to have plenty of snacks and movies prepared for your epic Mother’s Day extravaganza.
Do each other’s nails and sit back and relax together, because this will be an awesome bonding activity.
Bonus points if you shop locally with Skwiik or Milk Jar Candles and aromatherapy diffusers to make the experience even more special.
10. Talk:
If you are still living with your mom, or even if you are far away from your mom, this may sound ridiculous, but she most likely wants to hear from you.
She may not vocalize it, but deep down she cares deeply about her child(ren) and it makes her day just hearing your voice.
Don’t yell or disrespect her. Just talk and give her openings to talk as well. Sometimes we may not notice it, but we all can use a listening ear occasionally.
Tell her how much you appreciate her and how much she means to you. These days we have cellphones, FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp and many other services that you can use to give your mom a call, so distance isn’t an excuse.
Even something as simple as an email or virtual card that says you are thinking about her is enough.
A mother always worries even if they don’t admit to it, so pay attention and take a break from playing video games, reading fanfiction, Wattpad or manga, watching TV or whatever it is you do to kill time or are addicted to secretly staying up late doing and put it aside and spend time with your mom, but try not to be annoying.
In my opinion, the best gift you can give someone is that of kind words and even kinder intentions.
Aya FAB
*Aya is currently a second year journalism student at SAIT. She is set to graduate in April 2020 and is partnering with the FAB team during her internship.*
