Extra Special Mother's Day Gifts - NEW Monterey Bay Parent

If you’re looking for an extra special way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, here are five experience gifts that your favorite mom will love!

1. Have a picnic on the beach. Pack a basket with mom’s favorite foods and spend the afternoon enjoying nature together. You can pack your own, of course, or plan ahead by visiting The Cheese Shop in Carmel a few days ahead of time to order a curated basket of cheeses, meats, and other goodies that you can pick up right before your picnic. Pack your picnic basket and a blanket, and head to Carmel Beach for a relaxing afternoon with the entire family.

If you want bonus points, tell mom to sleep in and have her meet you at your picnic destination at an appointed time. Meanwhile, pick up your order and set up a beautiful picnic for your favorite mom. Lay out the blanket and chairs, add a vase of flowers, and be all ready for mom to stroll in after her late morning in bed for her special surprise.

2. Set up a home spa day for mom. Gather a variety of facial masks (they’ll be happy to help you at the Sephora store in Del Monte Center). Then splurge by booking an in-home massage for mom. On Mother’s Day, give mom a basket filled with the masks, a few clean towels, and a split of champagne and tell her that her massage therapist will be arriving soon. Grab the kids and head out the door for the afternoon leaving mom to a quiet house in which to enjoy her massage and pampering beauty treatments.

3. Surprise trip. If you want to go big this year, make all of the plans for a special weekend getaway ahead of time. Tell Mom that you have a special surprise celebration planned but no details. Give her a few hints on what she’ll need to pack but that’s it.

You can stay local by booking a stay at beautiful Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley or pick a new destination where you’ve never been. There are so many gorgeous places to visit within an hour or two of the Monterey area, that choosing the destination might the hardest part of your planning.

Make sure you’ve covered all of the details by making reservations and scouting out special activities.

4. A Gift a Month. Does Mom love fresh flowers? Or, does she savor a few hours enjoying a latte and choosing a new book at a local bookstore like BookWorks in Pacific Grove? For Mother’s Day, give mom the gift of a special treat every month. Pick a day (the third Saturday of each month, for instance) for your repeated treat. Put it on the calendar and be sure to bring those flowers home as promised!

5. Take a Class Together. Can you think of a fun activity that your favorite mother and you can learn together? It could be cooking, wine appreciation, or perhaps painting? Make all of the arrangements for a class you can enjoy together and put the date on your calendars. Progress Not Perfection Paint Parties in Monterey offers fun paint parties that allow both of you time together while exploring your creative side.