Hey, all you dawdling sons, daughters and spouses who suddenly realized it’s Mother’s Day: We get it. Time slips away but here you are, scrambling for a last-minute gift and struggling to plan a day of fun.
The National Retail Federation expects spending this Mother’s Day to reach an all-time high of $35.7 billion, far exceeding last year’s spending of $31.7 billion, hence the advertising onslaught of sentimental gift ideas you maybe somehow missed?
In any case, since time is of the essence, remember, you don’t need to splurge on some extravagant gift. The one thing most moms want most is the gift of time. Experiences create memories she will cherish forever. Have a picnic in a park. Visit a local museum. Take a walk through an unfamiliar city. There are a lot of options. To help, here are more simple, considerate and cost-effective ways to celebrate mom or the mother-figure in your life.
Create a custom floral arrangement together: Stuyvesant Plaza, in partnership with Felthousen’s Florist, is celebrating Capital Region moms with its inaugural “Blooms For Mom” event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on days leading up to and including Mother’s Day. You’re invited to make a bouquet and pose for photos in front of a decorated flower-filled arch. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Stuyvesant Plaza Eventbrite page. Ten percent of each ticket sold will benefit Mom Starts Here, a local organization that supports families along their parenting journeys.
Grab some (cheap) ice cream: This Mother’s Day, bring mom to any Stewart’s Shops where she can enjoy a single scoop cone for 99 cents. In fact, everyone can. This deal is available to anyone in need of a sweet treat.
Tiptoe through some tulips: Albany’s signature springtime event, Tulip Fest, is back. A celebration of the city’s rich Dutch heritage, the weekend event is free and features live music, yoga, children’s activities, artisan market, sprawling beds of radiant tulips and lots of photo opportunities.
Snag $25 concert tickets: Live Nation is hosting National Concert Week through May 16, offering fans access to $25 concert tickets to more than 3,700 summer shows across the country, including select shows at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased online at www.livenation.com/promotion/concertweek or via the Live Nation app.
Wander local farmers markets together: You can celebrate mom, shop for something local and enjoy free entertainment at area farm and vendor markets. The Schenectady Greenmarket takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside City Hall. Further north, the Spa City Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Baths.
Make a personalized planter: This project is especially fun for little ones: Buy an inexpensive terra cotta pot at your local home improvement store and spray paint it white. Grab a brush and palette paint and let budding artists craft a colorful masterpiece. If you’re more particular, you can use a stencil to create a sophisticated design. Take mom along to pick out a fresh plant, flowers or herbs to go inside the planter.
Wash her car: It’s common for moms to spend the time equivalent of a full-time job ferrying kids around. Give mom’s vehicle a good clean, inside and out. She will surely appreciate it. Don’t have it in you? Right now, you can pay just $19.99 for the first month of a Hoffman’s Unlimited Car Wash Club pass, or you can purchase 90 days of unlimited washes for $109.
Shop local crafters and artisans: Peruse and purchase pottery, ceramics, hand-forged jewelry, stained glass, seasonal decorations, home décor items, herbal product and so much more at the Mother’s Day Craft & Vendors Show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Colonie Center.