Honor Thy Mother
Time is ticking and the pressure is on to find the best Mother's Day gift.
That's why we have picked 10 heartfelt, out-of-the-ordinary local gift ideas to celebrate our mothers and show them a little extra comfort, love, and recognition on their particular day. From handmade and personalized crafts to locally-inspired gifts and fun activities, these meaningful Mother's Day presents are under $60, truly unique, NOLA-proud, and extra special for every type of mom.
For the mom who is a sweets lover, the Brennan's Bananas Foster Candle is the perfect gift for $32. This candle will transport your senses into the dining room at Brennan's Restaurant and is custom-blended locally by Southern Lights Candles. Enjoy the luxurious scent of sweet ripened bananas, butter, brown sugar, banana liqueur, vanilla ice cream, and just a touch of cinnamon. The candle is available at Brennan's and online.
For the mom who loves to laugh, give her an authentic New Orleans experience at the long-running drag show brunch at the Country Club in the Bywater at 634 Louisa St. Reservations for Saturday and Sunday performances are required with a $25 deposit per person minimum. Lindsay McBeth, the maître d' at the Country Club, said the drag brunch is a must-see show for anyone over 21 years of age. While enjoying the deliciously decadent and made-to-order menu, guests are entertained with an hour and a half drag show. Book online or call (504) 945-0742 to reserve the 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. seating.
For the mom who is tough to buy for, discover this sentimental pick for a one-of-a-kind Mother's Day gift—tile home decor art pieces exclusively sold at Fleurty Girl. You personally select the frame and decorative tiles and then hand it over for an employee to assemble in the store. "Each frame is priced at $20 and each tile is $10," said Owner Lauren Haydel. "So one that said 'MOM' would be $50."
For the mom who wants to put on a good face, the perfect pampering gift for Mother's Day is the LED light therapy facial for $60 at La Riviera Spa and Salon located at 4506 Shores Dr. in the heart of Metairie. The LED light therapy facial is paired with a hydrating mask. La Riviera is also offering a "Mom's Day Out" special for the month of May and complimentary cocktails with all services. Call La Riviera Salon and Spa at (504) 455-4247 to book a service.
For the mom who has ageless skin, nothing is more refreshing than the clean and luxurious face and body scrub by Eleven 11, exclusively sold at Little Miss Muffin at 766 Harrison Ave. Gaye Johnson, manager of Little Miss Muffin, recommends this local artist's beautiful, all natural scrubs, which are priced $38. According to Johnson, another rare gift idea found at Little Miss Muffin is the Carol Cassisa's collection of jewelry. Carol Cassisa's Fleur D'or earrings are priced at $60, and the Bijou De Dan earrings are $48. You can check out more gift ideas on their website or by calling (504) 482-8200.
For the mom who takes her cooking seriously, sign her up for the daily open demonstration cooking classes at the New Orleans School of Cooking, which is located at 524 Louis St. Two classes are scheduled per day: a daily morning class ($44) from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and an afternoon class ($39) from 2-4 p.m. These classes are both educational and entertaining. Your mom can sit back and watch the skilled chefs prepare a classic Cajun/Creole meal while learning about the vibrant history of New Orleans cuisine.
For the mom who demonstrates her own style, the NOLA Rock Company has over 100 different stones to dazzle her fancy. A memorable Mother's Day gift would be the rose quartz because it represents unconditional love. The raw rose quartz necklaces ($38) come in 14k gold-filled or sterling silver. There's also the rose quartz brass cuff bracelet ($45). Stop by the store locations in the French Quarter on 906 Royal St. or 1214 Decatur St. Shopping online is also an option.
For the mom who treasures beautiful inspirational art, take a peek at the Gilded Oyster Cross ($38) or the Oyster Angels ($30) at NOLA Gifts and Decor, located in Metairie at 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 1, and in Destrehan at 3001 Ormond Blvd., Suite F. Both pieces are made by local artists and exclusively sold at NOLA Gifts and Decor. Another locally, hand-crafted Mother's Day gift is the Blessing Beads, which are available in small ($25) and large ($40).
For the mom who would enjoy a new creative outlet, treat your mom to a special date at "Moms and Magnolia's," where she can make her own magnolia flower at the Shard Shop, a D-I-Y art gallery and boutique located at 3950 Magazine St. Your mom can choose two size options (8X10 canvas for $60 or 12x12 wood palette for $100), which includes art instructions, oysters, and all the needed supplies. Register online or call (504) 571-5342.
For the mom who needs help drifting off, the ideal Mother's Day gift is the Aromatic Dead Sea Salts ($32) sold exclusively at the Woodhouse Day Spa and Salon, which is located at 4030 Canal St. but can also be found in Metairie, Mandeville, Slidell, and Baton Rouge.
