Mother's Day the COVID-19 Way: a shopping guide!

So Mother’s Day may not look the way it usually does, but we have tips to help you make it happen!  Since it might take a little more arranging, start early!  We wanted to get you on the right track to do so which means we are posting early, too!  We have found as many ways as possible to help your mom have a perfect day despite the COVID-19 restrictions!  Check them out!

Option 1 – Start mom’s day off right with breakfast in bed.  The Bar’N and Grill in Carson will let you order mom breakfast and throw in a free pint of mimosas for her!  (Preordering is encouraged!)  Let her sleep in then lounge with breakfast and some Netflix binge-watching or a family Disney favorite. 

Option 2 - Set up a special dinner for mom.  Get that special vase of flowers for the centerpiece from Avoca Flower Shop or Blossoms in Oakland.  (FYI:  Avoca Flower Shop has 8 different arrangements to choose from and $25 hanging baskets and Blossoms has patio planters, garden décor, gift cards, special mom gifts and will be open on Mother’s Day!)) Buy some ribeyes to grill at Gress Locker or some filets at Minden Meat Market.  Pick up some votive candles at the Country Store in Carson to light.  Use placemats and fancy dishes.  Have the kids make cards for her to read and have a jar of questions for the family to answer at the table while you eat.

Option 3 – Create a patio relaxation plan.  Set out the lounge chair or the hammock.  Order her that margarita from El Sol in Oakland or Garcia’s in Underwood and download that book from the Council Bluffs library or a free one if you have Amazon Prime. If she doesn’t have quite that much time normally, get her a magazine subscription to Real Simple (Meredith is an Iowa company!) or Our Iowa (best state mag ever!).  Very inexpensive and it will remind her to relax once a month.  Have the kids pick out some wacky sunglasses to order online and have shipped to her for laying in the sun.

Option 4 – Let her have that peaceful bubble bath!  Pick up some of those bath fizzes at Blossoms in Oakland, B ReStored in Walnut, or an essential oils one from a local person.  Grab that bottle of wine from Prairie Crossing Winery in Treynor or Breezy Hills Vineyard in Minden to have a glass or five while she soaks.  (Breezy Hills is even offering buy a bottle get a Winerita free – their famous wine slushy and Prairie Crossing is doing gift baskets to purchase with local products, winery merch, and gift cards.) Have Alexa play some relaxing music or break out the radio.  And get a couple candles out for mood lighting.

Option 5 – Make it a family trail outing!  Get the bikes out or just use those feet.  Head to one of my favorite hidden gems – the Stone Arch Trail in Shelby or Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek.  If you want to see the animals – Botna Bend will be open with buffalo and elk. You could probably even make a date to go fishing in the Nish!  Just be sure you have a fishing license!

Option 6 – A family picnic with take-out!  Check our list of take-out places and order to go!  Have a picnic in your backyard or in Old Town Park in ‘Donia or ask a neighboring farmer if you can use their pasture!  Dairy Queen in Oakland is offering a free small blizzard for mom that day so swing by there, too.

Option 7 - Canvas painting for the whole fam!  Grab some canvases and paint!  Use stencils or straws to blow the paint or check out the Quirky Canvas website!  And if you do it outside, a little mess won’t hurt a thing!  Or make mom a painted flowerpot and give her a plant!  Head to EZ Greenhouse in Minden on Friday, May 8th from 5-7pm and let your littles paint pots and pot a plant for her!  $2 covers it! 

Option 8 – You can never go wrong with jewelry (if she likes jewelry)!  The Painted Camel in Macedonia is going to open by appointment just for you!  Head in to get homemade jewelry or pottery made by Paul (he’s doing a 10% Mother’s Day discount on all his pottery) or a print for your wall!  Just call 712-310-4534 to make a date at the coolest art gallery around!

So it may seem like Mother’s Day can’t be as planned, but it can still be something special!  Here’s your chance to show mom all her efforts lately are appreciated and she is loved. (While still supporting local!)

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms (and those that step in for them) out there!  

---