Mother’s Day 2020 is fast approaching. With COVID-19 remaining a threat and current social distancing guidelines in place, it’s not possible for most of us to browse our local stores for that perfect Mother’s Day gift. Most of us are already accustomed to shopping online, so it doesn’t mean that finding an amazing Mother’s Day gift isn’t possible. But shopping local and shopping small have become even more important, given how many small businesses have needed to close their doors (if they own a storefront) or had to stop offering their services if they weren’t an essential business. There are still plenty of ways to shop Mother’s Day gifts and support your local Annapolis, Maryland businesses and fellow families.
You could have something delivered . . .
Flowers are a traditional and elegant gift, and supporting a local florist is a wonderful way to deliver. Many florists are delivering stunning arrangements that your mother will love.
Photos Courtesy of Peaceful Petals Flower Truck
Peaceful Petals Flower Truck is a mobile flower truck based out of Severna Park. They’ve teamed up with a new business, Details & Design, who are eagerly awaiting the day they can open up shop in Eastport. Arrangements can be ordered by sending Peaceful Petals Flower Truck an email, but do it soon! Supplies are limited.
Photos Courtesy of Island Flowers
Another local florist with rave reviews is Island Flowers, located in Chester, Maryland and delivering as far as Annapolis and Severna Park to the west and Easton/Denton/Queen Anne to the east. For Mother's Day, they recommend going with light and colorful spring arrangements that might include peonies, ranunculus, tulips and other similar flowers. There are three price points they are recommending for Mother's Day: $55 will get you a petite but lush arrangement, $75 will get you a more substantial size with deluxe flowers and $95 will get you an impressive show with premium flowers. (Additional delivery fees will apply.) If you just want something simple and easy, you can order one of the arrangements from their website or choose the "Deal of the Day" option to get a Florist's Choice arrangement. These are usually the best value because the florist can maximize the use of the best quality flowers they have available to them. If you want something more customized to your Mom and her preferences and tastes, give the shop a call at 410-604-2115 or send Nicole an email.
If you want to go BIG and not so traditional, how about a ballon bomb? If you are within 10 miles of Arnold, Maryland, AJ Walther, with Tangled Balloons, will gladly surprise your mom (and your whole neighborhood) with an amazing display of love. Again, contact AJ soon! Supplies are very limited and once they are gone, they are gone . . .
Photos courtesy of Tangled Balloons
Photos courtesy of All in the Mix
Or go with something sweet! All in the Mix Bakeshop is taking preorders for Mother’s Day cakes. And let me tell you, her cakes look amazing (and delicious!). Stephanie Squires, owner of All in the Mix, makes “decadent cakes and heavenly pastries, seasonally inspired and handmade from scratch.” Stephanie is baking up special 6-inch Mother’s Day cakes for $50. You have your choice of vanilla, chocolate, almond or lemon cake and a choice of filling. Mmm, a lemon cake with some raspberry jam sounds like it would hit the spot right now! Head over to the All in the Mix website, go to the Mother’s Day tab and fill out their order form for your no contact porch delivery (for Eastern shore and Annapolis) on Saturday, May 9th.
Photos courtesy of Touches by Ty
Looking for something a little smaller that still shows mom how sweet you think she is? Touches by Ty, Tyisha Stephens, has designed a balloon arrangement for mom that is both adorable and sure to impress. Each basket comes with an arrangement of flowers, with a chocolate in each flower and extra chocolate in the basket. These fun little displays of love are $20 plus $6 for delivery (available throughout most of Anne Arundel County) and can be ordered by contacting Tyisha on her Facebook page, Touches by Ty.
Get takeout from her favorite restaurant . . .
Photos courtesy of Donut Shack
When my husband asked what I wanted for Mother’s Day, I could come up with two things off the top of my head, donuts and sushi. (No, not together, eww, that would be gross.) In Severna Park, The Donut Shack recently re-opened it’s doors under new ownership and I have been dying to try their donuts. They recently even started offering online ordering and are testing delivery within a 3 mile radius. I am not within their delivery radius, but it may be worth it to send my husband for curbside pickup! Their Mother’s Day hours are from 6am-10am, and I highly recommend placing your order ahead of time.
My favorite local sushi place, Ginza in Severna Park, is also offering takeout right now. Their Mother’s Day hours are 12-9pm (takeout only) and also offer online ordering. My husband and I have taken advantage of their online ordering and pickup, even before all of this started, for date night in.
Photos courtesy of Park Tavern
A couple other favorite restaurants offering fun Mother’s Day specials, include Founders Tavern & Grille and Park Tavern. Founders will be open 12-6pm on Mothers Day and I highly recommend that you call to pre-order (410-544-0076). Their recent pizza bundle was so popular, they ran out of wings and pizza dough! For Mother’s Day, they are running an Italian Mama bundle. Park Tavern has a scrumptious looking Mother’s Day menu, that includes options like French Toast casserole, prime rib, crab dip or shrimp cocktail. And don’t forget dessert! Strawberry pie or Smith Island cake balls sound amazing! Orders must be placed by 2pm on Thursday for pickup on Saturday, and will include reheat instructions.
We are fortunate to live in an area with too many local restaurants to mention in a single blog post. You know your mom’s (or your wife’s) favorite restaurant, so give them a call! The restaurant industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, but many are pivoting and offering fantastic takeout options that will please Mom.
Or maybe she just wants a bottle of wine (or whiskey) . . .
I sure do miss the Saturday wine tastings at Magothy Wine & Spirits but that doesn’t mean I can’t still get great bottles of wine at a good price. Their 6 for $60 is a steal. They offer 6 wines and you can mix and match any 6 bottles for $60. They also have everything you need to stock your bar, offer ordering through their mobile app and offers curbside pickup.
If you’re in Pasadena and looking to get all of your essentials in one place, Angel’s Food Market has you covered. When you walk into the store, head straight towards the back and you will find a full wall of options ready to heat for dinner, including homemade shrimp fried rice, spaghetti and meatballs or crabcakes. Their strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite desserts, and my 4 year old would often pick it out when stopping on the way home from preschool. And they also have a great selection of wine, liquor and alcoholic beverages. (I’m not going to lie, my husband has stopped there more than once lately to pick up my new favorite beverage, High Noon, which I am grateful that a friend and client introduced me to!)
Or a gift from a local shop or maker . . .
Many of our local boutiques have made the move to have most of their merchandise online, including The Cottage and Whimsicality. With selections from clothing to jewelry to Scout bags and all things nautical and home decor, you can be sure to find something mom will love.
Photos courtesy of Nina’s Flying Needle
Or you can support a local maker, like Nina’s Flying Needle, who makes handmade, reusable, practical gifts that are also good for the environment. With reusable sandwich bags, “paper” towels and napkins, you are sure to find something to replace one of the things in your house that regularly ends up in the landfill. But, honestly, what I’m eyeing are the pretty pink mini washcloths. I mean, mama deserves some washcloths that are just hers, right?
Photo courtesy of Nina’s Flying Needle
But what do you think? I definitely should get this napkin from Nina’s Flying Needle to go with my Mother’s Day sushi dinner, right?
And of course, if you are looking for photography related gift ideas, check out my other recent post on 3 Amazing Mother’s Day Gifts that also Support Your Family Photographer.
No matter where you decide to get that perfect Mother’s Day gift, one thing is certain . . . Mother’s Day 2020 is going to be one that won’t soon be forgotten. But where you decide to spend your money right now could make the difference in that small business you love not being forgotten. Consider shopping small and shopping local this Mother’s Day. And I cannot take credit for being the first to say this, but can’t find a better way to state it . . . Who we buy from now will decide who’s standing later. Let’s make sure all the small businesses we love are on that list.