With Mother's Day coming up on May 12, it's a great opportunity to celebrate the women who raised us, mentored us and helped us along our journeys. But these Mother's Day ideas aren't just for biological moms — these gifts and experiences are perfect for anyone special. Grandmas, aunts, teachers, friends, girlfriends and anyone who's made a difference in our lives all deserve their time to be recognized and doted on.
Here, we've rounded up gift ideas for Mother's Day and beyond to let the special lady in your life know just how wonderful she is. From delicious gifts like Craig's Cookies and a curated box of local goods from The Gift Refinery to the cutest pink knife set from Zwilling, there's something here for everyone.
If your mom prefers experiences over gifts, you could always take her to one of the best restaurants in Toronto for a stellar dinner, a quaint and cutesy afternoon tea or a delicious brunch with bottomless mimosas to boot. Treat mom (and yourself, too) with these top-notch gift ideas for Mother's Day and beyond.
14 delicious spring ideas for Mother's Day and beyond
1. Simply Spiked Peach Variety Pack
$31.05
In association with Molson Coors
Whether you're throwing mom a beautiful brunch or a backyard barbecue, bring the new Simply Spiked Peach Variety Pack to the party. The sparkling peach lemonades are made with real fruit juices and bring that bubbly, celebratory feeling. Signature Peach, Strawberry Peach and Kiwi Peach are juicy and refreshing, and perfectly enjoyed in the spring sunshine.
2. Tierra Rica Cabernet Sauvignon Organic and Tierra Rica Sauvignon Blanc Organic
$16
In association with Mark Anthony
Chile has once again proven it has the chops to play ball with the world’s most prominent wine regions. Tierra Rica’s grapes are grown in coastal vineyards, resulting in a bright and expressive white. Elegant and fruity, Tierra Rica Sauvignon Blanc is loaded with intense aromas of citrus and tropical fruit. Treat mom to this fresh wine paired with goat cheese, seafood or spring salads.
If mom is more of a red drinker, Tierra Rica Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep ruby-red pour that's also chock-full of fruity notes, but of a different variety. Black berries and plums mingle with soft floral notes and hints of vanilla and toffee. A meaty main or pasta dish is its perfect match.
Tierra Rica's organic wines are made using sustainable practices, with every effort made to keep the ecosystem in balance. It's a wine that mom can feel good about.
3. The Gift Refinery's Hello Spring Box
$149.95
We all want to support local, but sometimes it can be hard to find just the right local gift. That's why The Gift Refinery takes all the guesswork out of gifting. They carefully curate Canadian products from up-and-coming artisans, shining a spotlight on local creators, all the while giving back to the community with their Give Back Program.
TGR's new Hello Spring Box is full of beautiful, thoughtfully-curated items to help mom refresh for spring. Dangling gold and pearl earrings from For the Seconds will be right at home in a new jewelry box from Samara. Every day can feel like spa day with the DermaTech Cold Therapy Ice Facial Roller, MIFA All Over Oil, Paume Exfoliating Hand Cleanser and Mouche Organic Bamboo Facial Tissue. They'll also get a cute silk scarf and a natural fibre bento box. Purchase it as a one-time gift or as the start of a subscription that will remind her how special she is all year round.
4. La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé 2022
$29.95
Celebrate spring with this fruity and fresh rosé from California. As barbecue season approaches, you'll need a go-to vino with awesome pairing ability, and this zesty blush is a great match with everything from charcuterie and salad to chargrilled chicken.
5. Mother’s Day High Tea at the Castle
$75 per person
What could be more elegant than a dainty afternoon tea in a castle? Bask in the beauty of Casa Loma while you sip on tea, bubbles, cocktails or wine. And practice not getting crumbs all over your lap while snacking on scones with clotted cream and decadent sandwiches like egg salad with white truffle on mini croissants. Last year's savoury treats included a blini with smoked salmon and lemon dill crème fraîche, and triple cream brie and porcini tartlets with whipped fresh ricotta. Shall we go on?
6. Zwilling Now S 7-Piece Knife Block Set
$249.99
This cutesy pink seven-piece knife block set from Zwilling shows that kitchen tools can be *aesthetic* and strong at the same time. Whether mom is a pro in the kitchen or has been known to hold knives backwards, these stainless steel, lightweight blades are sharp, durable and a fresh addition to any kitchen.
7. Saintly The Good Sparkling Rosé VQA.
$19.95
You don't have to ball out (in this economy?) on a good sparkling. Saintly The Good Sparkling Rosé VQA is a Provence-style bubbly from Niagara that's crisp and refreshing, with bright fruit notes — and it won't break the bank. It's nice to be overly sweet on Mother's Day, but we like our rosés extra dry.
8. Mother's Day at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
$185 per person
The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto pulls out all the stops for their Mother's Day brunch buffet in the Vinci Ballroom. Stuff yourself silly with all of the options available from classic brunch dishes and a carving station to a raw seafood bar and a sushi bar. Cap things off with a trip to the dessert station.
9. Wine bottle and tumbler set by OUI
$64.99
Wine on the go, anyone? Enjoy al fresco afternoons and long beach days with this insulated stainless steel drinkware set. Our fave part? The wine bottle has a leak-proof screw top, so you can leave the finicky wine opener at home.
10. Ladurée
Treat mom (and, let's be honest, yourself) to a cutesy brunch and bright mimosas or afternoon tea at Ladurée in Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The boutique and afternoon tea salon is primped and polished from head to toe, with a beautiful Tiffany-blue facade that makes it look like its own little house, but in the mall. The walls are lined with colourful macarons for days, setting the perfect scene for an adorable Mother's Day 'gram post.
11. Pluck Teagram
$23.50
Read the leaves this Mother's Day with a custom 'Teagram' from popular Toronto tea company Pluck. Choose from one of the 30 fully compostable, plant-based tea bags in flavours like Field Berry Green and Caramel London Fog. Then write a message, select your label design and Pluck will do the rest.
12. Craig's Cookies
From $17
Long before he opened his eponymous cookie shop, Craig first learned how to bake with his mom. Now, he serves over 100 different cookie flavours, all stemming from his mom's original recipe. So we couldn't think of a more fitting gift for those moms with a sweet tooth. Order a mixed box with flavours like apple pie, chili chocolate or toffee then pick it up in store or have it delivered straight to mom.
13. The Toronto Flower Market
Free to attend
Starting on May 11 and running one Saturday a month until October, the Toronto Flower Market celebrates Ontario-grown flowers and plants. Stop by to get a bouquet of beautiful blooms or take mom shopping through the floral wonderland on the grounds of CAMH. In addition to flowers, succulents and other plants, local vendors will be selling ceramics, planters, candles, sweet treats and more.
14. Super Magic Taste Chili Crisp
From $14
Mom's home cooking is (mostly) incredible, but a teaspoon of this crunchy chili crisp is an easy way to zhuzh it up to a new level. Super Magic Taste Chili Crisp is the perfect blend of onion, garlic, almonds, sesame and tamari with a gloriously crunchy texture. It's big on flavour without overwhelming spice. Add it to rice, chicken or practically anything else to turn an average dish into something special.
