New York City Mother's Day Gift Guide
Every mother and mom-to-be deserves to be honored this May. From special New York City brunches to gifts that give back, treat moms, grandmothers and aunts to show them just how much you appreciate all they do this Mother's Day. By Sarah Shaker.
Pralines, Armani/Dolci
717 Fifth Avenue
212-339-5950
armanidolci.com
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For the super chic mom with a shoe addiction - or just a sweet tooth - we love the Armani/Dolci pralines gift box. It's designer dessert, in pink packaging filled with decadent chocolate delights. The box pictured here has 16 chocolates ($35), but the box is customizable, with options ranging from $5-125.
Bring your mom to Sauce in the Lower East Side on Mother's Day and she'll drink and eat for free. From their homemade pastas, like the popular "Ice Box" Fusilli Marinara with soft ricotta cheese, pecorino and oreganata breadcrumbs, to their nose-to-tail meat selections, such as Sergio Leone, steak alla pizzaiola with crispy pastured egg and broccoli rabe, your mom will be fed with love, as if she's in her nonna's kitchen.
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Procrastinating shoppers are saved with SpaFinder's recently launched "Last Minute" deal site for spa discounts in New York City. Book an appointment for mom as late as Mother's Day to enjoy a massage, facial or another beauty treatment at one of the city's top spas and salons. Just check out what's available within a three-day time frame then buy and book your mom's appointment to enjoy the pampering she deserves at up to 80% off. She'll never know you waited until the very last minute.
Give a gift that gives back this Mother's Day. As part of the Lady Godiva Program, Godiva and FEED Projects have partnered to provide 300,000 school meals to children around the world in cocoa producing regions, while celebrating inspirational women who are making a difference in their communities. Choose one of the special gift sets including the FEED Spring Tote and a box of Godiva chocolates or truffles, which are available at the Godiva boutiques around NYC and online.
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Does your mom love Bloody Marys? Yeah, ours too. Iron Chef Jose Garces has inspired a unique Bloody Mary menu featured at Renaissance Hotel 57. The menu consists of 10 Bloody Marys, including one made to honor this great city of ours: The Gotham Mary, with Prohibition Distillery Bootlegger Vodka, spiced tomato water, The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters, garnished with poppy and sesame seeds. This exclusive menu will be available at the Renaissance Hotel 57 and Renaissance Times Square Hotel from May 10-12th.
Your foodie mom will fall for the Mother's Day prix-fixe menu at Bouley. Treat her to light spring dishes like the Porchini Flan with Alaska live Dungeness crab and black truffle dashi, Black Cod glazed with elderflower honey served with raspberry vinegar, and mint pesto. For something sweet, she can try a Raspberry, Pistachio, and Walnut Parfait with raspberry sauce, rose sorbet, and bulgar wheat ice cream for $135 or $240 with wine pairings.
Same Sky is a fair trade jewelry initiative headquartered in NYC helping to empower women living with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda and Zambia by providing them with artisan training, supplies, education and a work environment. This program helps artisans to take control of their own lives – using their earnings to provide their families with food, clothing, education, and clean water. This Mother's Day, treat your mom to one of their beautiful handmade designs, knowing that you'll be helping those in need, as 100% of net proceeds are reinvested to train and employ more women.
Gift a new mom with an adorably funny t-shirt for her little one. Royal Drama is a line of baby, children and women's clothing outfitted with bold, edgy statements developed by NYC entrepreneur Ferrol Lipton. These fun items are available for purchase both online and at various NYC boutiques. Royal Drama proudly donates 10% of proceeds to a new charity each month. And if you shop now, you'll enjoy free shipping until Mother's Day with code "FREESHIP".
Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.