Most of my friends, who also happen to be mothers and grandmothers, say the last thing they hope to receive next Sunday, (shame on you if you didn’t recall) on Mother’s Day, is another knickknack.
Most of us are trying to get rid of scented candles, cute figurines, desk do-dads, picture frames, charm bracelets, spice racks, bud vases, coffee mugs and anything else engraved with “World’s Best Mom.”
Here are some alternative gift suggestions for next Sunday, or for that matter, any weekend in May.
Time spent with the family is one of the most welcome gifts, so if you live close by or are visiting, why not plan an outing now that the nice weather has finally arrived.
Visiting a beautiful garden is an experience almost all age groups in a family can enjoy, and there are several places to enjoy the spring floral displays.
The New York Botanical Garden’s daffodils, cherry trees, tulips and roses are blooming this month. For tickets, nybg.org or call (718) 817-8716.
At Blithewood, a beautiful, small garden estate on Narragansett Bay, the 50,000 daffodils are in full bloom and you can also have afternoon tea on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Blithewood is 25 minutes east of Providence and an easy drive from here. Call (401) 253-2707.
Hillstead Museum and Gardens in Farmington is actually a home (designed by Theodate Pope Riddle, one of the first women architects) with a wonderful collection of French Impressionist paintings.
The first Sunday of every month is “tour at your own pace” from noon till closing. From May through October, a guided estate walk at 2 p.m. is offered. Call (860) 677-4787 for additional information.
Further afield, is the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, Mass. with over 100 acres of labeled trees and shrubs. It is especially famous for its Dexter rhododendrons and also has three museums featuring American art.
Fabulous Longwood Gardens with more than 1,000 acres and a bountiful gift shop, is worth the drive to Kennett Square, Pa., and on Mother’s Day weekend offers a special buffet lunch in the ballroom. Call (610) 388-1000, ext. 100, for reservations.
If there is no time for a trip or if Mom is unable to travel, the New York Times store, nytstor.com or (800) 671-4332, has specially priced, colorful and useful tote bags for only $14.95.
Since Mother’s Day in America originated as a day to celebrate peace and was, in fact, once known as Mother’s Day for Peace, you might wish to consider a donation to a charity such as Global Zero, started by Queen Noor of Jordan, or you might honor Mom with a gift to Women to Women International.
Your gift will help a mother in a poor country realize the most cherished dream of mothers around the world; to care for her children and provide them with a future by helping women start their own small business.
Whatever you do next Sunday, enjoy your family, your friends and the much anticipated and awaited spring weather.
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