Did your mom always tell you to help others? Show her you were actually listening by getting her a mother's day gift from a local small business. Here are some gifts from local businesses that your mom will love as much as knowing that you took her lesson to heart and helped a local business owner.
For Gourmet Moms
From Marjorie, a locally-owned company, makes unbelievably beautiful cheese boards. Each board comes in a 9” round wooden box filled with small-batch artisan cheeses from local, organic and family-owned farms, charcuterie, accompaniments (like candied pecans or wildflower honeycomb), crackers and fruit. Choose from a fixed menu or customize your own board. Can be picked up at The Bottle Shop in South Philadelphia or be delivered.
For Nutty Moms
Your mom will go nuts over the "Almost Famous" tray at Nuts To You. It includes an array of butter toasted peanuts, chocolate cashews, salted cashews, peanut M&Ms, two kinds of trail mix, and chocolate nonpareils. If you’re lucky maybe she’ll share with you. Nuts To You opened in 1975 and is now run by the founder’s grandson. It has five locations -- four in Center City and one in Northeast Philadelphia, and a thriving online business.
For Moms Who Love Cooking
Sign your mom up for a virtual cooking class with Gema Cuffari, whose love of cooking began in her Little Tikes Kitchen. Add nearly 10 years of experience teaching high school and you get Cooking Gems Studio in Perkasie in Bucks County. Gema is currently teaching virtual classes but your mom won’t just sit and watch. She should have her ingredients and equipment ready and be prepared to have fun - whether she’s making vegetarian cauliflower tacos, pierogies, bao buns, or chocolate mudslide cupcakes. Private customized classes are also available and hopefully, by this summer, cooking parties in-your-home may be an option too.
For carpool-driving Moms
If your mom could use a little "her time" at the end of the day, opt for one of Village Candle's lavender-scented candles. The soothing aroma has a calming effect that'll prepare her for yet another round of pick-ups and drop-offs. Find them a Village Pharmacy in Springhouse.
Locally-owned shops are full of gifts that will surprise and delight your mom and will give you the kind of personal attention that you need to find the perfect fit.
For Caffeinated Moms
Bean2Bean Coffee Co says it captures a lifestyle that coffee drinkers aspire to be - creative, thoughtful and outside the conventional norm. If that captures your mom’s spirit, get her some B2B beans. Choose from intriguing roasts such as French Toast Bites Coffee; Bourbon Whiskey Coffee, which ages in a Kentucky bourbon whiskey-soaked oak barrel; or Schuylkill Select, with hints of milk chocolate, berries and caramelized sugar. Use promo code Motherlode to get a free hand-made, ceramic mug created by Anthony Romero, a local artist, when you spend $35 or more. Each mug is unique, like your mom. While supply lasts.
For Jersey Girls
If your mom is from Jersey, she’ll eat up the South Jersey Food Jersey Tasting Journey Food Box from On the Town Food Tours. Highlights include wine-infused chocolate from Robinson’s Fine Candies in Skillman; Hungarian pastry from Heirzoom Bakery in Bridgeton; Cranberry Blossom Honey from Birds & Bees Farm in Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean Counties; salt water taffy from Atlantic City’s James Candy Company. The box includes two experiences -- a $20 gift certificate for a private On the Town Food Tour for four and a 60-minute product tasting session including a discussion with one of the small business owners.
For Fashionable Moms
Gallerie Marie, founded by Kimberly Camp, carries the work of 200 artists from around the world. Think paintings, one-of-a-kind hand-made dolls, jewelry, artifacts and more. Hit the Colllingswood gallery for a silk scarf for your mom. The 100% silk scarves are hand-woven and hand-washable and come in a variety of colors and styles. Perfect if she’s getting dressed up again and for pulling up to cover her mouth and nose.
For Spa-loving Moms
Check out the gifts from Love From Home at Babis Pharmacy in Lower Merion and you'll find a full line from Michel Design Works. The beautifully packaged fragrances, soaps, lotions, candles, room sprays and other products are luxurious, yet reasonably priced. So luxurious that she'll feel like she's at the spa, when she's in her own home. And the shop provides complimentary gift wrapping so your gift will be as pretty on the outside as your mom is on the inside!
For Creative Moms
Book a painting class with Entwined-Action. For just you and your mom or the whole family, even children. You choose your painting design and location (home, backyard, a local park). Nicola Loughlin, a local artist, will provide the seating (boho chic floor cushions or comfy chairs, side tables and easels), materials (paint, palettes, brushes, aprons, etc.), and, happily for mom, the clean up too. The 2-1/2-hour guided class can include personalized extras like a charcuterie board and your mom's favorite music.
For Cocktail-loving Moms
New Liberty Distillery, a craft distillery in South Kensington, is offering spring-themed, socially-distant cocktail classes on Mother's Day. The tickets are for two guests, so you can do it together (which your mom will love)! Hear about the history of cocktails and cocktail trends, watch a mixology demonstration and learn to make An Aviation (Snug Harbor Gin, Liberty Belle Crème de Violette Liqueur, Liberty Belle Sour Cherry Liqueur and lemon juice) and a Lucky Lavender Fizz (Snug Harbor Gin, Kinsey Triple Sec, lavender syrup, egg white, clarified lemon juice and club soda). The classes will be held in the distillery's spacious outdoor garden and last about 1 hour. Must be 21+. For tickets: click here.
For Giving Moms
Of course, Glenside's Sweet Magnolia has the perfect finds for your mom, after all, it was founded by a mother and daughter. Don't miss the jewelry by Scout Curated Wears. It has a modern, bohemian flair, an inspirational saying and 10% of the profit is donated to organizations that promote and support women. How perfect is that?!
For Moms with Good Taste
The Wine & Chocolate Basket at Barcelona Wine Bar in South Philly includes carbs, booze and chocolate. More specifically, mom gets a loaf of Barcelona crusty bread, a bar of Cacao Sampaka Sea Salt Chocolate, a bottle of La Boella Olive Oil, box of Maldon Sea Salt, a bottle of wine (either Le Naturel or sparkly Barcava) and a recipe for Pan con Chocolate all neatly tucked into a Barcelona tote bag.
Shop local this Mother's Day to find unique and interesting gifts that will make your mom happy and help a local business too.
by Irene Levy Baker, author, 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia and Unique Eats & Eateries of Philadelphia. Both books are full of tips. For even more tips, visit www.100ThingsToDoInPhiladelphia.com. Vaccinated? Planning a staycation? Go to the website for signed copies of books. For free shipping, use promo code TheCityPulse.
Click here for more blog postings by Irene Levy Baker including news about Pop-up Beer Gardens, an Animal Photo Safari, the new Neon Museum and more.