Mother’s Day is just around the corner and we don’t need to tell you this is one of the most important holidays of the year. While most moms are happy with a day all to themselves, it sure is nice to receive a gift on this special day (hint hint). To help you show your appreciation for your fave mom (yes, this includes sisters, aunts, BFFs, in-laws and your very own mother) we’ve put together a Seattle gift guide that includes fab gifts for every type of mom.
photo: Yuan Spa
First Things First: What Moms REALLY Want
Let’s be clear. Year after year, marketers and research firms ask mothers what they most want for Mother’s Day and the answer is rarely surprising. We want a little time to ourselves. A relaxing break. Perhaps a small sentimental token to acknowledge all our hard work. Pampering would be nice too (highlight that word there, yes, that one: pampering). Gifts can run the gamut from handmade cards to dandelions picked from the yard to breakfast in bed followed by a spa vacation. The fun part is that the keywords “small token,” “relaxing break,” and “pampered” mean different things to different mamas, so here we go.
Ahhs and Spas
We’ve never met a mom who turned down a good pedicure, and Julep (multiple locations including Bellevue, downtown Seattle and the U-District) is always a great gift choice. Their parlor menu includes dozens of options and upgrades and Julep Nail Color does not contain formaldehyde or any other nasties. Go for a gift card, or surprise her with a gift set. Frenchy’s Day Spa & Beauty Botique in Madison Park is another one of our favorites. The whole vibe is frilly and fun and for $45 you can hear mama purr when she gets her feet dipped in warm paraffin. Gift cards for spa services are a super option – or shop their Parisian-inspired store for cosmetics, soaps, candles, lingerie, jewelry or perfume.
photo: Yuan Spa
For the mom who likes to get her zen on, a holistic sensory journey at Yuan Spa will transform her mind, body and spirit. Choose from several spa packages including Eternal You, Ritual Beauty, Body Renewal, Pure Health, Inner Peace and Mother-to-Be or give mom a hydrotherapy day pass, so she can spend the whole day in this tranquil urban retreat. For $45, mom can use the cedar sauna room, eucalyptus steam room, salt scrub bar, hot bathing pool and cool sea salt bathing pool, as well as the relaxation room. Psst! Each spa package includes hydrotherapy, a massage, hand or foot treatment and a catered lunch. Treatments last between 3.5 and 8 hours. Need we say more?
If mama wants to head into the city this Mother’s Day, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is offering many different ways to pamper mom. From signature treatments like the Hollywood Facial and Anti-Aging Facial to body treatments including the Northwest Scrub Bar and Detoxifying Mud Wrap to a variety of massages, the spa combines Pacific Northwest zen with urban chic. Psst! Book a full-day treatment package for mom and she will get to enjoy exclusive access to the hotel’s outdoor infinity pool deck and 24-hour fitness center. A sanctuary within the city, the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle has everything required for head-to-toe bliss.
photo: The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
Does Mommy like to get nude? For a full frontal experience, the Olympus Spa in either Lynwood or Tacoma is the ultimate day spa indulgence. For just $40 (gift cards available) mom can spend the day soaking it up in various whirlpools, a steam sauna, an herbal dry sauna and various earth energy rooms and mediation rooms. A Total Bliss Package at their Lynnwood location ($339) includes the daily entry fee, plus body scrub, body moisturizing, body massage and body wrap. The whole experience is 3 hours and 20 minutes. Ahhh… can you hear mama relaxing already?
photo: Olympus Spa Facebook page
Fabulous Florals
Whoever said flowers are “out” for Mother’s Day is oh-so-wrong. Flowers are never out. Okay, maybe some of those cheesy arrangements with the Mylar balloons and cheap teddy bears, but if you’re reading this, we know you would never do that. Right? Riggght. Here’s how you do flowers: order from a chic place like Marigold and Mint on Capitol Hill (delivered, starting at $75 or pick up a beautiful bouquet for $25). They also have a great selection of cards in stock, from the super cute to the wickedly funny as well as organic herbs, edible flowers, books and contemporary and vintage ceramics.
photo: Lance Wagner Photography
Flowers from Pike Place Market are always a fresh treat and amazing arrangements can be had for just $5 to $12, so stock up and give florals to all the mamas in your life. Or give mom a gift that helps support Pike Place Market matriarchs now and for generations to come. This year, the Pike Place Market Foundation is offering a gift basket (pictured above) that includes a bouquet of flowers from the market, a bottle of Wilridge Winery’s Rachel Red or Billie Blanc and a personalized Market Charm for a donation of $199. Baskets will be available in-person on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 at the Pike Up! tent on the cobblestones of Pike Place near Le Panier.
Other suggestions: Metropolitan Market has excellent go-to arrangements that even Martha Stewart would be proud of. The Fred Meyer Garden Center in Ballard has a terrific selection of hanging baskets for $25 to $40. Head to City People’s or Swanson’s and have the kids help put together a potted herb garden or wrap a bright ribbon around a few colorful perennials or hit your local Safeway floral department for a huge selection of flowers, vases and packaging materials. The flower arrangements match the season’s current trends (think fashion and interior), so you know you can’t go wrong. Psst… don’t forget farmers markets for floral gifts and veggie starts. Give a gift that grows!
photo: Kristina Moy
Sweet Treats
Chocolate? Yes, please! Seattle has some amazing chocolatiers so there’s no excuse to indulge Mommy in anything but the best. Fran’s has possibly the most elegant packaging (and best tasting) chocolates around. Treat her to either the 20 piece Assortment ($30) or the Gray and Smoked Salt Caramels ($20). This is a perfect go-to gift for sisters, aunties and anyone whose name ends in -in-law. Chocolopolis on Queen Anne is another terrific option. Kids can make their own bars for mom on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. (bars are $10 each of 3 for $25) or pick up a packaged gift or register for a tasting event.
photo: Cat T. via Yelp
Similarly, Theo Chocolate in Fremont is amazing – for both Fair Trade chocolate gifts and for their events. Sign up in advance and take Mom (and an in-law or two, plus kids) on a chocolate tour. Tours are $10 per person and last about one hour. Another favorite, Seattle Chocolates, is known for delivering smooth, all natural satisfaction with every bite. And this Mother’s Day, you can treat Mom to this satisfaction with the Heart You Mom Gift Basket ($44.95). This gourmet gift basket is filled with all the right fun flavors and bright colors to celebrate her hard work, day in and day out.
photo: Seattle Chocolates
If mom is a popcorn lover, KuKuRuZa Gourment Popcorn has dressed up this old school favorite in new (gourmet) tantalizing ways. The best part? KuKuRuZa air-pops most of their corn and uses non-GMO kernels, so mom can munch guilt-free. Psst! We recommend the Seattle Style caramel corn for a little afternoon pick-me-up. It’s laced with, you guessed it, espresso to help mom keep up with her petit posse. Or go big and give mom the KuKuRuZa Collection ($79). This indulgent collection contains 18 of KuKuRuZa’s year-round flavors packaged in a beautiful, magnetically closing box set.
photo: KuKuRuZa Gourment Popcorn
Monthly Subscriptions
For the mom who loves to savor her morning cuppa Joe, consider a monthly subscription to Bean Box. This company, which opened in 2015, specializes in delivering Seattle’s finest artisan coffee—shipped fresh to your door within 48 hours of roasting—and features four sample roasts or one 12 oz bag from robust espresso blends to lovingly crafted single source beans. Each sample bag contains 1.8 ounces of coffee, enough to make approximately four cups, and can be tailored to mom’s unique tastes: light, medium or dark. With 22 roasters located inside the Seattle city limits—making hundreds of different roasts—this is the easiest and freshest way to sample a variety of blends from Seattle’s top-rated roasters.
photo: Kristina Moy
Action & Adventure
Here’s where you can knock Mama’s socks off. How about a surprise weekend away? Check out Kenmore Air’s web specials for last-minute deals to the San Juans, Victoria and the Olympic Peninsula. Similarly, Clipper Vacations offer sail/hotel packages from Seattle to Victoria starting at $142. Or give Mom a big laugh on Mother’s Day by taking her to The Market Theater for an improv show completely inspired by moms. All stories in the Mother’s Day Improv Show will revolve around The Mother and willing moms will get pulled on stage throughout the show. Purchase tickets online for $15. Bonus: Tickets are just $5 for moms (use discount code IMAMOM).
photo: Margery S. via Yelp
Tokens of Affection
Even if you’re done having kids, moms can never have too many glassybabies (locations in Madrona, U-Village, Bellevue and Sea-Tac Airport). If you can trust the babes to not to break anything, take them along to pick out their favorite colors for Mom, Auntie and Grandma and start a memorable collection.
photo: glassybaby Facebook page
To Make Mom’s Life a Little Easier
We know this isn’t exactly a local gift, but for the mom who just wants something to make her life and her family’s mealtime a little easier, consider the T-fal Electric Pressure Cooker ($99.99 at Walmart). Designed to function as the most versatile and easy-to-use tool in the home kitchen, the T-fal Electric Pressure Cooker has 12 automatic functions, including rice, oatmeal, reheat, soup, baking, slow cook, steam, simmer, brown, pressure cook, DIY and baby food. (Yes, we said baby food!). And with a timer feature, this appliance can be set anywhere from 5 minutes to 12 hours, so mom (or dad!) can simply add ingredients and press a button to begin the cooking process. Dinnertime never looked so easy.
photo: T-fal Electric Pressure Cooker
Fireworks Gallery, with locations in Pioneer Square, U-Village, Westlake Center, Westfield Southcenter, Bellevue Square and Sea-Tac Airport is another no-fail gift destination. And Fleur de Lis Garden Ornaments in Fremont has some great gift items starting at just $22. Venue in Ballard is another great gift stop with plenty of eclectic items, home accessories and fine arts and crafts from local Seattle artists.
What’s on your Mother’s Day gift list? Tell us in the Comments below.
— Kristina Moy & Allison Ellis
