Mother's Day Events and Gift Ideas in Burlington

This Sunday marks Mother’s Day, the time of the year when we celebrate the wonderful women in our lives, be it our mom, grandmother or another mother fiqure.  It’s a time to say thank you and remind those close to our hearts why they are special to us.  Everyone has their own way of celebrating and as a mom myself I can only say that if it’s from the heart then it’s perfect for me.  If you are looking for some ideas on how to celebrate this Mother’s Day, we have rounded up a list of great gift ideas, special events and dining options that are sure to please.

Any mom will tell you that they don’t need a gift but if you want to impress here are some great choices in a variety of budget ranges.

This fun mug by Royal Worcester comes in 3 themes and is available at Springride Farm. This one pictured is 'shopping trip' but they also have 'gardening girls' and 'fountain of youth'.  At $12.99 each it’s a simple and affordable gift.   There are lots of nice treats for mom at Springridge including - Mary MacLeods shortbread cookies, honey, jams, Ontario canned peaches, and of course jewellery/bling from the gift loft!

If you are a traditionalist and are looking for a beautiful floral arrangement then look no further than Brant Florist.   Ken from Brant Florist tells us that the Wondrous Nature Bouquet is one of the most popular selections and I can see why – it’s stunning.  Of course there are plenty of other options available but you’ll want to order early as this is a busy day for flower shops.

Our friends at Joelle’s in Downtown Burlington have a beautiful jewellery piece available that not only will be a lovely gift but also supports a great cause. The necklace is made by Foxy Originals (Canadian company), from solid pewter, silver coated. 100 percent of the monies raised from the sale of this necklace go to Incite to help provide support, encouragement, guidance, direction and opportunities for empowerment for single moms and their children in our community. If you are shopping for a mom to be, Joelle’s has great maternity wear section full of stylish choices.

There are so many awesome gift ideas at Anise Apothecary it was hard to choose just one but this travel "bottle" ($30) is perfect for a mom on the go.  The 'Greens Your Colour' hot/cold bottle is the ultimate insulated bottle. It comes with a tea strainer, so you can make your loose tea directly in the bottle. It also comes with an ice strainer and will keep liquids both hot & cold longer. It's BPA free of course, and the silicon seats keep the it 100% leak proof. A separate shaker ball can be purchased in store for $3.00 to make protein shakes & smoothies right in the bottle. 

Practitioners of yoga (or any mom on the go …) will love this gift idea from Mountain Equipment Co-op.  The Timbuk2 Scrunchie Tote ($84) is super-roomy and  accommodates everything you’ll need – yoga gear, bag lunch, water bottle, energy bars, etc. Plus there’s a hidden zip pocket to stash your phone, wallet, and jewelry. The waterproof base keeps your belongings from getting soppy, so you don’t have to worry about setting it on the wet floor of the changing room.   Pair that with a Prana ECO Yoga Mat ($49) for the environmentally conscious yogi. It’s made from thermoplastic elastomer (100 TPE), a recyclable plastic that doesn't produce harmful toxins during manufacture.

For the chocoholic, there are plenty of stops on the Burlington Chocolate Trail.  Take mom out for a day on this self-guide trail of chocolate delights or visit one or more of the participating businesses including chocolatiers, cupcake shops, chocolate spa treatments and more. If you are wondering what a day on the trail is like check out the guest blog by Christie Ressel on her experience.

Mother’s Day marks the return of the Centro Garden Market in Downtown Burlington from 9am - 12pm. This year they will have a new local organic vegetable farmer as well as a other vendors that will do cheese, preserves, honey, latin icetreats, canning, soaps, teas, organic vegetable seedlings and seeds, and Jimmy from Tamp with his slow hand pour/drip coffees. Rem & Dez' lemonade parkade will be back as well with their gang of entrepreneurial friends! Be sure to also sign kids up for the Mother’s Day Workshop on May 9^th  or 11^th where they can create their own special planter for mom. Reserve your spot by email or phone.

Mother’s Day weekend you will find a wide variety of events to attend starting on Saturday May 11^th with an array of theatrical performances.   Drury Lane’s  "The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd", a Tony Award winning musical comedy based on the British class in the structure in the 1960s hits the stage at 8pm, and tickets can be purchased by phone or at the box office.    Over at the The Burlington Performing Arts Centre mom can enjoy the Bay area's pre-eminent men's a cappella chorus, Harbourtown Sound with their presentation of "Rock Your World" at 7:30pm on May 11^th, or The Burlington School of Classical Ballet presents "Cinderella" at 2pm on May 12^th. Tickets for either of these shows can be purchased online, by phone or at their box office.  If you can’t make these shows, consider checking out the 2013/14 season line up which will be on sale Thursday May 9^th.  Also taking place on Saturday May 11^th the Burlington Civic Chorale: Canadian Odyssey will be performing at 7:30pm at St. Christopher's Church.  The evening features Fiddler Jill Wiwcharuk, and Canadian and Acadian folk music performed by The Celtic house band and the Burlington Civic Chorale singers.

Are you planning to get outdoors to spend the day (or night)?  There are lots of opportunities starting with a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens for the Tulip Festival.  Explore the gardens alive with the the colourful tulip display, the gorgeous azalea collection, and catch the fresh green tips of new growth on the evergreens.  Follow this up with a visit to the Rock Garden to listen to the sounds of Phunktown 5 performing 12pm – 3pm and on May 12, The Soul Project will be performing 12pm – 3pm.

If looking for an event geared to children that mom can enjoy too consider heading to Crawford Lake Conservation Area for Pajama Night!  An early evening event that includes a night creature hike, storytelling in the longhouse, a fireside gathering, snack and a craft so grab those jammies and plan to attend.  Pre-registration is recommended.

For those making plans to head out on May 12^th for Mother’s Day, here’s what’s happening around town.

For the active mom who wants to get out her running shoes and support a worthwhile cause there is the 4th Annual Iron Dames Lace up for Love Mother's Day 1km/5lm Walk/Run. Starting at 9am on May 12^th, the day supports the WELLSPRING Birmingham Gilgan House’s New Cancer Exercise Facility. In addition to the race, there will be gifts for every mother, kids finishing awards, face painting, refreshments, Mother’s Day market, and draw prizes.

The Wildflower Walk for Mom takes place from 1pm-3pm at Crawford Lake Conversation Area.  Celebrate Mom’s special day with a beautiful spring slideshow followed by a guided wildflower walk and a serving of Nature’s Tea.  Register in advance to secure your spot.   

The Museums of Burlington will be the enbracing the British drama with a Mother's Day Downton Abbey Tea & Springtime Event from 11am-4pm at Ireland House at Oakridge Farm.  This “Downton Abbey” tea includes live musical entertainment, special guests, and costumed interpreters!  There is FREE admission to view the grounds and museum including taking part in the historic cooking, gardening and craft workshops, artisan demonstrations, and other outdoor activities (including the new nature trail). Tea times are sold out but there is still lots for mom to enjoy.

The Royal Botanical Gardens will be offering a  Mother’s Day Afternoon Reception from 2pm-5pm. Enjoy treats from a light followed by a shuttle to the iconic Rock Garden to take in the spring blooms.  Reservations are required; please call 905-527-1158 ext. 513.

For the culinary inclined, there are plenty of dining options across the city including Mother’s Day brunch – bon appetit!

Alloro; 11am-1pm – Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch

Beaver & Bulldog; 10:30am-2pm - Mother’s Day Brunch

Downtown Bistro; 11am-3pm - Mother’s Day Brunch & starting at 5pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Garden Café at RBG; 10am-4pm  - Mother's Day Brunch – SOLD OUT
Honey West; 11am-4pm - Mother’s Day Brunch

Ivy Bar & Kitchen; Mother’s Day Brunch

Jake’s Grill & Oyster House, Lunch & Dinner Specials & Moms receive a special gift

Celli’s Osteria – All day Buffett seating’s at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, & 7pm

Martini House; Mom’s meal is on us, restrictions apply. One Mom per table of four.
Pepperwood Bistro; starting at 10:30am - Mother’s Day Buffet

Red Canoe Bistro; 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm - Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

Rude Native; Mother’s Day Brunch

Siam Dish; Free “sauce” (Pad Thai or Curry) with every Mother’s Day reservation

Spencer’s at the Waterfront; starting at 5pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Stone House Restaurant; starting at 11am - Sunday Buffet        

Water St. Cooker; Sunday Brunch

Have a wonderful weekend!

Celebrate Mother's Day in Burlington!

Celebrate Mother's Day in Burlington!

She’s the one who kissed our boo-boos away, lends an ear and is there for us through thick and thin – thanks MOM!  With only a week until Mother’s Day you still have time to plan the perfect celebration for your mom, grandmother or other special lady in your life.  From events to brunch to gift ideas, Tourism Burlington is here to help.

If you are looking for a special event to share with your mom consider heading to Ireland House at Oakridge Farm for their Queen’s Jubilee Mother’s Day Royal Tea.  This celebration to honour the Queen’s 60^th Jubilee includes live entertainment, tea workshops, horse & carriage rides, gardening demonstrations, hands-on activities, a visit from “the Queen” and tea parties (1:00pm, 2:30pm & 4:00pm).  Tickets for the tea party are sold in advance.  What a great way to enjoy this special day at this historic site. 

For mom’s that prefer something a bit more outdoorsy, plan to visit Crawford Lake for their wildflower walks for mom.  This guided walk through the park woodlands begins with a spring slideshow then you head outside where a guide will accompany you and explain the natural and cultural history of the area wildflowers.  Post walk, mom can relax with a serving of Nature’s Tea. 

For mom’s that like a bit of entertainment, the Halton Region Museum celebrates mother’s day with their spring jazz series featuring the George Grosman Quartet.  Spend the afternoon enjoying the sounds of this outstanding jazz quartet and noshing on some light appetizers.  Tickets should be purchased in advance as a limited number will be available at the door.

The best gift “fore” mom.  On May 12th and 13th at Hidden Lake Golf and Lowville bring your mom out for a round of golf and she plays free when accompanied by a full-paying green fee and purchase of a power cart. Consider adding brunch at Lowville to your day out only $12.95 per person from 9am-1pm.

For the sweetest mom consider spending the day exploring the Burlington Chocolate Trail.  This self guided trail of all things chocolate includes 5 chocolatiers making amazing creations; five restaurants featuring decadent desserts; six artisan food producers with a wide variety of chocolate treats and two spas where you can relax with a chocolate treatment.

When is brunch not just brunch - when you head to the Royal Botanical Gardens for their Mother’s Day brunch. Enjoy entertainment and spectacular food prepared at the Gardens Café.  Your package includes shuttle service to the garden areas where mom can view the Tulip and Lilac blooms.  Reservations are required.

Burlington is home to such an array of great restaurants that you are sure to find the perfect spot to treat your mom.  Here is a listing of restaurants offering Mother’s Day brunch/buffet:

Alloro; 11am-2pm - Sunday Brunch

Beaver & Bulldog; starts at 10:30am - Mother’s Day Brunch

Downtown Bistro; 11am-3pm - Mother’s Day Brunch & 5pm-9pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Honey West; 11am-4pm - Mother’s Day Brunch & 6pm, 8pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Jake’s Grill &Oyster House, Lunch & Dinner Specials, live jazz & gift for mom

LaCosta Nuova; 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm - Italian Style Buffet

Local Eatery & Refuge; All day - Mom’s enjoy a complimentary entrée*

Martini House; Mom’s meal is on us, restrictions apply. One Mom per table of four.
Pepperwood Bistro; Mother’s Day Buffet

Red Canoe Bistro; 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm - Mother’s Day Buffet        

Spencer’s at the Waterfront; Mother’s Day Brunch

Stone House Restaurant; 4pm-8:30pm - Sunday Buffet        

Water St. Cooker; Sunday Brunch

If you are looking for the perfect mother’s day gift we have some suggestions to fit every budget.  Flowers are always nice and chocolates (check out our chocolate trail vendors) are a guaranteed hit. For those looking for something more unique consider visiting Art Etc. at the Burlington Art Centre where you can find Canadian handmade items ranging from jewelry to pottery and more.  If mom is a gardener, head to the Shop at the Gardens (RBG) for the perfect gift.  For the foodie, look no further than Springridge Farm, they carry a wide variety of gourmet goodies and cookbooks, as well as home and garden gifts.  Downtown Burlington is home to many one of a kind shops that are sure to please even the hardest to buy for mom.  For fashion, head to Joelle’s, Mirella’s Ladies Boutique, Ohh!! Beautiful Things, Pearl Street Fine Shoes, Promises and Lace and the list goes on!  For home décor and gifts think Artist’s Walk in the Village Square, Centro Garden, Fairhome and Stir Kitchen.  Visit the Downtown Burlington website for a complete list of retailers.  Of course you can always find what you’re looking for at Mapleview Centre or Burlington Mall and if you can’t decide a gift certificate is always appreciated.

Of course some moms are happy with a homemade card and gift and we think that is just great too! 

Happy Mother’s Day