Mother’s Day always falls on the second Sunday in Canada, yet it seems to sneak up on us every year.
If restaurant reservations are booked up or if hosting family at home is a tradition, here are ways to create a premium experience at home, from three-tier serving trays for high tea to a centrepiece vase that doubles as a lovely gift.
Mother's Day high tea
Are you putting out a spread of mini cucumber sandwiches and scones with clotted cream for an afternoon tea at home? Don’t skimp on the ornate details, like a three-tier cake stand in pink and floral teapot, available at Amazon.
Vancouver’s The Cross is a hostess's dream shop, with Harney & Sons tea (also available on Amazon), a heart-shaped stoneware dish ($45) and bloom print cloth napkins ($9.95).
Planning an outdoor picnic, have a kids’ table to set, or need several place settings? These pinkies-up paper plate tea party sets can bridge the gap between vintage teacups and practical tableware. There are frilly cups with handles and scalloped paper plates with a fancy print.
Flowers are a lovely sentiment, and around holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, prices tend to spike.
Pair an inexpensive bouquet of daisies, carnations or tulips with an iconic blue box, and you’ve got a stand-out centrepiece and gift for mom. This small crystal vase from Tiffany has the brand’s classic print etched into it. $285 at Tiffany.
Brunch recipes & tools for Mother's Day
For a classic eggs benny or poached eggs on avocado toast, bang out perfectly runny eggs in multiples with silicone egg cups that sit in boiling water. After Mother’s Day, these cups have multiple uses (like melting backing chocolate, making custard, and steaming veggies). $13.49/6 at Amazon.
If mom likes things a little more savoury, eggs shakshuka (tomatoes, onions, spices and eggs simmered together in a cast iron pan) is a fantastic dish for a group lunch. This is a one-pot dish, which makes for easy clean-up, too. Lodge cast iron pan, $54 at Amazon and Cuisinart 10" cast iron frying pan ($99.99) available at The Bay.
5 personal gift ideas for Mom
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair is a thick hyaluronic serum with a devoted cult following in the beauty world. It suits most skin types (combination, dry, oily) and targets fine lines and skin laxity. From $95 at Sephora.
This Japanese Plum Bloom candle from Voluspa is pretty enough for the coffee table and exactly the kind of small luxury she might not splurge on for herself. $42 at Sephora.
A Love and Lore light floral Tencel robes are perfect for spring/summer weather and come in s/m and m/l. $79.50 at Indigo.
Moms and Birkenstocks go together like peanut butter and jelly. The Arizona EVA sandals typically sell out in the summer. If she’s been eyeing a pair, now is the time to surprise her. $65 at Little Burgundy.
A monogram necklace (with her initials or yours) is sentimental, personal and comes in many different styles.
Need help picking one out? There are modern bubble letters from Jenny Bird ($108, pictured), an offset initial necklace from People’s ($121) and a layered initial necklace from Nordstrom ($35).
