This year, instead of flowers or jewelry or a colorful scarf that she may or may not like, give your mother a day away with someone she loves: You!
Vino Van Gogh holds a wine and dine and paint at the Tideline Ocean Resort in Palm Beach. Guests get instruction as they sip wine and nibble appetizers. Vino Van Gogh also holds regular classes at its Delray Beach studio. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Mary Thurwachter
Mother’s Day presents wrapped up in a bow can be lovely and thoughtful. But is that what the woman who raised you really wants? Nah. What she really wants is time with her baby — even if her baby is no longer a baby.
So how about giving her what she wants with a special day in which you do something she doesn’t ordinarily get to do? Perhaps a moonlight paddle through the Everglades, a culinary tour, or an afternoon tea at a ritzy resort?
Your Mommy and Me fun day doesn’t have to be limited to Mother’s Day. Any time in May would be peachy. Any time at all would be appreciated. Go ahead and wrap yourself in a bow, if you insist. No matter how you present the gift of you, Mom will be grateful because you’re giving Mom fond memories of time spent with you.
Here are some suggestions.
Paint, drink and be merry. Mom may not have saved all those paintings you made for her as a kid (and she proudly displayed on her refrigerator door). But maybe it’s time to show her what you can do with a brush now. Put a paintbrush in her hand, as well, and just to get you both in the mood (and less critical of the artwork you create), uncork a bottle of wine and let the creative juices flow. Sign up for a group painting class (or have a private party) at Vino Van Gogh, 153 NE Fourth Ave., Delray Beach. Step-by-step instructions from a real artist, canvases, paint, brushes, easels and aprons are provided. $35-$40 per person. 272-5272, www.vinovangohfl.com.
Paddle through the Everglades in the moonlight. Give Mom an enchanted evening and a chance to work on her upper body strength without risking sunburn. You could see alligators, deer and some of the 257 species of birds at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge in western Boynton Beach.
Guided full-moon canoe trips are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. May 21, June 18 and July 16. Canoe rental is $33. Reservations required. Friends of Loxahatchee Refuge, 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, 733-0192. www.loxahatcheefriends.com/events/events.shtml
Diva Duck will take you and Mom on a tour by land and by water.
Board Diva Duck for local history and a dose of silliness. Share some giggles with Mom as you cruise through the streets of downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach and sail past the mansions of the rich and famous in the amphibious vehicle known as Diva Duck. Riders are encouraged to make quacking noises as they go. Prepare for an onslaught of puns. $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, $15 for ages 5-15, and $5 for kids under 5. The 75-minute tour departs from CityPlace, 600 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 844-4188; divaduck.com.
The Mounts Botanical Garden hosts its Connoisseurs Garden Tour on Mother’s Day weekend. Photos provided
Take time to smell the roses. You can always buy Mom a big bouquet of flowers. But this year, consider a garden tour. The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County hosts its 12th annual Connoisseurs Garden Tour, a Mother’s Day tradition, May 7-8. The eight public and private gardens are in Atlantis, Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.
The costs to participate are $20 for Mounts members and $25 for nonmembers and may be purchased at the Garden Shop at Mounts Botanical Garden; Amelia’s Smarty Plants in Lake Worth; Delray Garden Center in Delray Beach; Giverny Gardens in Jupiter; Johnny Mango’s Produce in Boynton Beach; and Uncle Bim’s Garden Center in West Palm Beach. 233-1757; www.mounts.org. ;
Just say spahhh. Several local resorts offer spa specials for moms to deliver the pampering they so richly deserve. Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach has a Mom-and-I spa package that includes two customized facials, side-be-side mani/pedis, an updo session for Mom with a hair designer, a certificate for $50 off and two drinks. Price: $584. 540-6440; www.tidelineresort.com.
The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan offers personalized treatments for Mom, too. Just for Mother’s Day, the spa is offering a series of specials, including Mother’s Perfect Day, a daylong spa visit that includes a 30-minute body scrub, 60-minute massage, 60-minute facial, classic manicure and pedicure followed by a hair blow-out. The Mother’s Perfect Day is $590 and includes complimentary champagne and 10 percent off any retail purchases. 533-6000; www.eaupalmbeach.com.
Try tea for two and a mini vacation at a historic hotel. The Boca Raton Resort & Club invites children to spoil their moms with a whimsical Afternoon Tea Under the Palms. The courtyard restaurant, Palm Court, pairs decadent sweet bites with single origin Sri Lankan loose-leaf teas of Dilmah for a relaxing and exquisite afternoon. For an ultra-luxe experience, schedule a relaxing spa treatment. May spa specials include a $90 Zentz Quench manicure and pedicure, as well as a $90 traditional ritual bath and 25-minute massage.
Available exclusively to resort guests, Afternoon Tea Under the Palms costs $50. Nightly rates start at $249. 888-543-1286; www.bocaresort.com.
Lori J. Durante leads her Taste History culinary tours of neighborhoods throughout the county, including Northwood.
Save your appetite for a culinary tour. You and Mom can eat your way through any number of great restaurants in our area. Or you could sign up for one of Lori J. Durante’s Taste History culinary tours, and the planning and transportation will be done for you. Tours explore Boynton Beach, Lantana, Lake Worth and the Northwood Village Arts and Entertainment District.Besides sampling great food, you’ll learn a little local history. Tours range from $45 to $50. 243-2662; www.tastehistoryculinarytours.org.
Any mom would enjoy a performance at The Wick Theatre. Currently playing: I Love a Piano, with the music of Irving Berlin.
Treat Mom to a twilight tour, dinner and a show. If Mom loves the theater and music, she’ll enjoy a twilight tour of the Costume Museum at the Wick, dinner at the Wick’s Tavern on the Green and then a show. From now through May 15, the Wick presents I Love a Piano, with music of Irving Berlin. For pricing and other information, call 995-2333, ext. 6094. 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; www.thewick.org.
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