You can still make Mother’s Day special with last-minute plans, gifts
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Mother’s Day is almost upon us.
If you’re a good child, you’ve already made plans for celebrating that special someone who has loved you and cared for you since the day you entered the world.
If you’re still scrambling, though, don’t panic. Here are a few ideas for ensuring that mom feels pampered and loved — meanwhile looking like you thought long and hard about it.
We won’t tell your mom.
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Dine at a classy cafe
Brunch is a tried-and-true way to celebrate Mother’s Day — but did you remember to make your reservation?
If not, there’s still a great option for treating mom to an elegant meal in classy surroundings. The Cafe at The Frick is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, with no reservations needed.
Situated on the grounds of The Frick Pittsburgh in Point Breeze, the eatery offers light fare such as cheese and charcuterie boards, soup, salad, quiche, sandwiches and flatbreads.
Or make mom feel like a grande dame of the Gilded Age with the $17 afternoon tea: finger sandwiches, scone with clotted cream and jam, sweets and a choice of loose-leaf tea.
For information, visit thefrickpittsburgh.org.
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See what’s happening at the zoo
“You’re acting like an animal!”
Some of us heard those words from our mothers in our young and rowdy days — but mom loved us despite our lapses in good behavior.
For the animal-loving mother, consider a Sunday trip to Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
Mothers of all generations receive free general admission to the Highland Park wildlife complex on Sunday when accompanied by a child.
Situated on 77 acres, the zoo is home to more than 8,000 animals representing 600 species, many of them threatened or endangered. From the Amur tiger to the Grant’s zebra, you’ll find them among the zoo’s seven distinct habitats.
Moms can keep younger children entertained in the Kid’s Kingdom, with interactive features such as a petting zoo and playground.
The zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; gates close at 4 p.m. Admission is $19.95, $16.95 for those 60 and up, $15.95 for ages 2-13; tickets can be purchased online or at the front gate.
Find details at pittsburghzoo.org.
Walk down memory lane
Mothers pay rapt attention when we talk about our own lives — school, work, relationships, struggles, hopes and dreams.
How often do we ask mom about those things?
One way to get to know her better is through a memory-gathering service like Storyworth.
Via the online platform, you ask mom a question every week, which she answers in an email. At the end of a year, her stories are bound into a keepsake book. Photos can be included.
Questions cover topics ranging from the sweet, like “What are your fondest childhood memories?” — to the bittersweet, like “Do you have any regrets in life?” You can edit the stock questions or even create your own.
A standard $99 subscription includes a year’s worth of story prompts for one storyteller and unlimited recipients, along with one hardcover book with a black and white interior and full-color cover. You can order extra books, starting at $39 each.
For information, visit storyworth.com.
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Come up with a keepsake
One mom says, “Don’t buy me anything. I have too much stuff already.” Another mom just loves adding more keepsakes to her shelves.
To delight your collector mom, make note of her special pieces and head out to a local gift shop.
Nora Fleming Minis are always popular with shoppers, not only on Mother’s Day but for all special occasions, at RSVP Gifts and More in Westmoreland Mall, said sales associate Kristina Morrison.
The tiny, hand-painted ceramic figurines are made to decorate dishware and come in a plethora of flora, fauna, special occasion and special interest themes.
“We sell a lot of those,” Morrison said.
Also popular are gift-giving standbys such as mugs and teacups, wine glasses, jewelry, picture frames, tea towels, home decor, recipe cards and journals, candles and items with specific Mother’s Day themes and messages.
If a shopper is stuck on what to buy, Morrison said, she will ask questions about their mom in order to suggest a gift specific to her interests.
“Yesterday I had a young fellow in who was looking around and looking around, picking up this and that, then putting it down. He was here for a long time,” she said. “Finally he ended up getting a bracelet with a cute saying about mom on it.”
For information, check out rsvpgiftsandmore.com.
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Buy blossoms and bon bons
What mom doesn’t like to open the door and find her child standing there with a bouquet of flowers and a box of candy?
Western Pennsylvania is blessed with an abundance of great candy makers. Sarris Candies are available in many retail outlets. If you’re near Pittsburgh’s Strip District, make a quick stop at Mon Aimee Chocolat for its curated collection of fine chocolates, or Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop for its crazy assortment of retro novelty candies.
The chocolate-dipped strawberries at McFeely’s Gourmet Chocolate in Greensburg and Irwin are a popular Mother’s Day item, said sales associate Patty Schmadel.
People also are going for the cupcake platter, with the sweet treats arranged in the shape of a bouquet, with a stem made out of icing.
When asked for suggestions, Schmadel said, she points shoppers to the dark chocolate raspberry truffles: “They’re fabulous.”
While it may be getting late to arrange flower delivery, you can still walk into a florist and buy a bouquet of cut flowers. That’s what Mary Grace, owner of Robb’s Floral Shop in Latrobe, recommends.
“A lot of the ladies like daisies,” she said, along with the traditional carnations and roses.
Many supermarkets and some big box stores also sell cut flowers. If worst comes to worst, on your way to mom’s house, buy a bunch from someone selling out of plastic buckets in a gas station parking lot.