Mother’s Day in Canada is on Sunday May 9th, 2021. It may look different (again) this year, but there are still plenty of ways to make the Mom or Mom-figure in your life in your life feel extra special. After all, they deserve it more than ever. Moms always work hard, but during COVID-19 they’ve been nothing short of superheroes, juggling work, homeschooling, and childcare.                      

Creative gifts and ideas to celebrate Mother’s Day

To help you plan the perfect Mother’s Day 2021, here are 13 creative ideas for gifts and experiences she’ll love—whether you live in the same household or choose to celebrate virtually.

1. Classic breakfast in bed 

There’s little more luxurious than lazing about under the covers as breakfast comes to you. But don’t just throw cereal in a bowl and call it a day. Whip up something indulgent like pancakes with fresh berries or, if you’re an experienced cook, eggs benedict. Not so kitchen savvy? A bagel platter with cream cheese, capers, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and smoked salmon feels fancy with no actual cooking required! If you and Mom don’t live together, order her something delicious from DoorDash. Go all out and let her know she’s “Prosecco to none” with a DIY mimosa kit and raise a virtual toast in their honour.

2. Morning yoga class 

Could Mom use a little more zen in her life? If restrictions in your area allow, sign her up for an outdoor yoga class or, barring that, a virtual one. Make the occasion extra special by sending a care package in advance with calming essential oils from Well.ca and some cute new workout wear. Colourful leggings from adidas will pop in real life or on camera and encourage her to keep the healthy habit going. 

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3. Wine tasting 

In the words of an anonymous, but very astute person on the internet: “The most  expensive part of having kids is all the wine you have to drink.” Show your appreciation with a socially distanced or virtual wine tasting. You can book one through a winery or set it up yourself and have selections delivered. Mother’s Day 2021 is a perfect opportunity to shop local and support regional winemakers while discovering a new favourite bottle.

4. Plan a staycation

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the mental benefits of a change in scenery. Book Mom into a nearby hotel or B&B for a relaxing staycation that’ll leave her feeling pampered and refreshed. Most hotels now have stringent COVID protocols, ensuring a safe environment, and special offerings like mobile check-in, contactless in-room dining, and upgraded outdoor terraces. If the hotel has a concierge, chat with them in advance about COVID-friendly options for making Mom’s stay extra special.

5. Movie night 

If you live in the same household, get cozy on the couch and watch your favourite movies together. Otherwise host a virtual watchparty via Zoom or use a browser extension like Netflix Party that synchronizes video and offers group chat. Replicate the pre-pandemic big screen experience with mood lighting and have “concessions” like hot dogs, nachos, or flavoured popcorn delivered to your door. Don’t forget to put all your devices on silent, just like in the theatre, so you won’t be distracted during your quality time together. Need movie suggestions? Try popular Mother’s Day movies like Lady Bird, Bad Moms, Mamma Mia!, and The Joy Luck Club.

6. Bake together 

Because we could all use some comfort food right about now. Whip up a favourite family recipe or try something completely new in the kitchen or via video chat. There’s an endless resource of recipes online and many chefs offer virtual baking lessons. A virtual cookie swap is a great idea for larger families; ask everyone to make an extra batch and ship them afterwards. If Mom still relies on a physical recipe book, offer to help digitize it for all family members to enjoy. Make sure to include any special notes in the margins!

7. Outdoor picnic

Celebrate Mom and the start of spring with an outdoor, socially-distanced picnic. Ampli has plenty of food offers, so you don’t even have to cook anything yourself. Pro tip: pre-portion food into single servings and use disposable plates and cutlery so no one has to do the dishes. Make the ground more comfy with outdoor cushions and get the vibe just right with a playlist of her favourite songs. You can also get active with an outdoor game like horseshoes, cornhole, or frisbee.

8. Cook a new meal 

It’s easy to fall into a pandemic cooking rut, resorting to the same recipes over and over again. Spice things up with an online cooking class you can take together in person or virtually. Be adventurous and try a new type of cuisine or technique like sushi making or knife skills. You don’t necessarily have to start from scratch; many restaurants and catering companies, like Oliver & Bonacini, offer meal kits that do part of the work for you. Getting out of your cooking comfort zone will delight your taste buds and be a valuable bonding experience.

9. Order takeout from your favourite restaurant(s)

Why not get wild and order each course from a different restaurant so Mom can eat all her favourites? If you can’t share them in person, enjoy dinner over Zoom or FaceTime. Another great option is to try an at-home tasting menu so you can sample a variety of new dishes together and compare notes. Of course, don’t forget to add on a nice bottle of wine or cocktail kit to complete the experience.

10. Spa day 

You can easily recreate the spa experience for Mom at home. Start by setting the atmosphere with scented candles or a diffuser and a playlist of calming sounds. If she loves baths, treat her to an array of luxurious oils, salts, and bath bombs. Order her a plush new bathrobe (perhaps from her favourite spa or hotel) and complete the ritual with a face mask or peel from Sephora to give the gift of glowing skin. If you live together, add on a relaxing hand or scalp massage.

11. Go on a hike  

A hike is a simple Mother’s Day activity that allows you to spend quality time together. Return to a favourite spot where you share memories, or explore somewhere completely new. Use Destination Canada’s online guide to find great trails near you and how COVID-19 restrictions may impact them. To go the extra mile, pack a picnic or a bottle of bubbles to pop at a scenic spot.

12. Paint night  

Pair a virtual painting class with wine or cocktails. There are plenty of options to choose from online, and even ones suitable for kids so the entire family can join in on the fun. From pop art to landscapes, cartoon characters, and still-life portraits, there’s truly something for every taste and skill level. For a personalized Mother’s Day gift, book a private class and request a lesson in how to paint a special someone, pet, or place.

13. Take a class together  

Maybe painting isn’t your thing, but there are countless other sites like Boomerang that offer online classes and workshops to explore with Mom. Options include floral design workshops, Bollywood dance classes, special effects makeup lessons, calligraphy courses, pottery workshops, and more. Hot tip: many museums and art galleries now offer free online courses in subjects ranging from art history to photography and lectures on paleontology.

Looking for more gift ideas for Mother’s Day? Check out our list of the best Mother’s Day gifts to buy online.

Get everything you need for Mother’s Day 2021!

Plan the perfect Mother’s Day from near or afar with gifts and shared experiences delivered straight to your door. And why not save while you’re at it? Download Ampli, and you could earn cash back when you make purchases online or in-store at partnering retailers like Indigo, DoorDash, Fairmont, Jewlr, Callia Flowers, and more. 

Learn more about how to earn cash back with Ampli.

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial, or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products, or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.