She gave you life. You gave her cellophane-wrapped flowers from the corner store. This year, step up your game with these Mother’s Day suggestions and treat her to a truly unforgettable day.
Soft Touch
The height of luxury, Manito Silk robes come in two sizes (short and long) and five feminine colours. The local importer farms and manufactures all their heavy-weight, mulberry silk bedding and accessories on fair trade farms in Mainland China. As an added bonus, the company also donates 25% of each sale to Karma Exchange, a Vancouver-based charity that supports girls’ education in rural Ghana. 1822 West 1st Ave., $175 – $199
Carry Me
Whether mom is a serious fashion plate or an old-school hippie, Holt Renfrew’s exclusive, limited edition charity tote will fit her style. Designed by American sportswear icon Tory Burch, these burlap shoulder bags are both stylish and laid-back and a portion from each sale will go to feeding 500,000 children and finance $50,000 in micro-financing loans and mentoring support in the Third World. 737 Dunsmuir St., $50.
Garden Party
If you’re still going to go with flowers, go big. The VanDusen Botanical Garden’s world-famous Laburnum Walk features a winding path under an arch of dangling, golden yellow-flowering laburnum trees that bloom for a mere three weeks each year, usually around Mother’s Day. Stroll to the garden’s stunning new Visitor’s Centre (one of the most ecologically sustainable buildings in all of North America) for high tea at Truffles Café. 5251 Oak St., from $6
Take a Loden Off Annie
Pamper her with the Loden Hotel’s special Mother’s Day package. Saturday afternoon starts with a glass of sparkling wine, followed by an infrared sauna treatment, tea service and a custom-scented bubble bath, drawn to her specifications by the hotel’s Bath Butler. On Sunday, join mom for guaranteed brunch reservations for up to four people (complimentary, custom-crafted cocktails included) at the award-winning Tableau Bar Bistro. 1177 Melville St., $269 for the overnight package, brunch à la carte
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Image courtesy of R. Chan.
