Mother’s Day guide: Mom would appreciate candy or flowers; here are some local options

You might be losing track of time amid the stay-at-home orders. So heads up: Mother’s Day is Sunday. As with the rest of the celebrations during quarantine, this is weird. Everything is off-kilter this spring. Mom will probably be pretty understanding, but Mom has also probably been running herself ragged keeping things together for everyone else. Maybe you can’t do what you usually do for her, but we’re here to help.

First of all, Mom doesn’t want to cook or clean up on Mother’s Day. That’s a promise. She probably wants brunch. Sure restaurants may be closed to dining in, but check out all the great takeout options you have this year. East Sacramento’s Bacon & Butter offers curbside brunch pickup, including Mom’s mimosa or a bloody mary. The midtown’s Morning Fork has curbside pickup for brunch, with just a slightly smaller menu. River’s Edge Cafe will offer special Mother’s Day family brunch packs. There is no shortage of options. Think about it now, though — some restaurants are only taking preorders. Most have updated their Facebook page with their weekend offerings and order processes.

Try Mom’s favorite spot, or look for something new. I’m looking forward to some french toast that nobody in my house made, and a mimosa in my jammies (or two). You can feel like a hero both for saving Mother’s Day brunch and supporting local restaurants.

Mother’s Day flowers are a classic gift. Many florists have online ordering, or you can order by phone for delivery or pickup. At midtown’s Relles Florist, most orders are usually done over the phone or online even when there isn’t a global pandemic. Customers are welcome to come in and look for gifts and arrangements with appropriate social distancing and masks. They have many gift basket options online for pickup, or in store (starting Friday), which will be available until they run out.

Now, I don’t want to get super controversial, but let’s talk about gift cards. There are two camps on this one. If you’re like my husband, you defer to the late Mitch Hedberg: “I think a gift certificate is a bad gift. What’s a gift certificate? You take money that was good everywhere …” I’m the opposite. Gift cards are the gift of shopping. Give me cash and it’s gone in an instant. Only I’ve bought a coffee, given one of my kids $20 for something for school and tipped a delivery person. A gift card means I will actually spend it on myself. Especially right now, gift cards can make a huge difference to Mom’s favorite businesses, and help ensure the shops will still be around when all of this is done. Think about favorite shops, spas, pedicurists and hair stylists. Since they can’t work right now, a gift certificate helps them get through and gives Mom something to look forward to as well.

Candy is often a hit with moms (and most people on the planet). Andy Paul and his team at Andy’s Candy Apothecary have been getting ready for Mother’s Day. Customers can order online and pick up at the store the next day if they need to make sure they have it in hand this weekend.

Due to the weather, chocolate candy is only available as a store pickup and not shipping. Not sure where to start?

“We have a ton of great chocolate and candy on our website, and are filling many orders already. Boxes of artisan chocolates, chocolate covered caramels, locally made ‘soft’ peanut brittle,” Paul said.

Right now it’s best to find them online for ordering and store pickup or delivery availability.

With retail opening up for curbside pickup Friday, you will have even more options. Oak Park gift store Strapping has some Mother’s Day mystery boxes available for both the sweet and the spicy mom in your life. Local retail has been hit hard by the stay-at-home orders, and many favorites are doing what they can to make it work. Check online or give them a call, because they are ready to be busy.

We moms have been doing the best we can with what we have. We might not have a teaching degree, but we’re doing our best to teach and tutor right now. We might not have super cooking skills, but we’re doing our best to get something edible on the table. Tons of us are attempting to be mom and employee at the same time all day, which often leads to working after the kids go to bed. If you’re old enough not to be stuck at home with your mom, she’s probably spending plenty of her day worrying about you and how you’re doing. The momming never stops, so this year try to show her all the love you can.

This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 11:52 AM.