With Washington's stay-home order extended, it's clear what we won't be doing on Mother's Day: eating brunch at Mom's favorite restaurant, strolling through Pike Place Market or visiting the zoo.
But how to celebrate these very special people in our lives? We'll need to get creative. Here's what we've come up with so far:
Kids cook for Mom. This doesn't have to be breakfast in bed. It could be a fun lunch, BBQ dinner or whatever your family loves (or whatever is within your culinary abilities.) Find inspiration in this story of two kids who really know their way around a kitchen. Be creative and enjoy a meal made with love. And whatever you do, don't leave a mess for Mom!
Mom's favorite takeout. Treat your family, and help a local business, by getting takeout. What does she like? Pizza, Thai, fish and chips? Make it "fancy" but taking the food out of the to-go boxes and plating it. Most of Ivar's fish bars are open for takeout, offering both individual items and larger, family-style meals.
Fine dining in your own home. Forget the usual lists of fancy brunch spots. (Maybe next year.) But lots of places are offering meal pickup or delivery. Seattle's Metropolitan Grill, for instance, has a special Mother's Day menu with options ranging from continental breakfast to steak dinner. Cafe Campagne, the French restaurant in Post Alley, is reopening for takeout starting with Mother's Day. Details on their Facebook page.
Get crafty. Have the kids make something! It can be most anything: a picture or family portrait, or maybe an experiment with collage or found-object art. Here's one idea to get your started: instructions for a lavender sachet.
A thoughtful gift. Shopping also is tough, with so many nonessential businesses closed. But think creatively: Lots of grocery stores and pharmacies have gift sections. Home-improvement stores are open (I've got my eye on a backyard fountain), many bookstores are offering pickup or shipping and, particularly if you're on the Eastside (or want to take a drive), Tinte Cellars of Woodinville is touting its variety of Mother's Day options, including wine, flowers, chocolates and Glassybabys. And — big bonus! — a portion of the proceeds will be divided among Mary’s Place, Northwest Harvest and Seattle Children's Behavioral Health Crisis Care Clinic.
Update: Pike Place Market flowers are sold out!
Flowers are always nice. The famous bouquets from Pike Place Market will still be sold this year, but under a preorder and pickup system. (Deadline to order is Wednesday, so plan ahead!) There are four pickup spots: two in Seattle proper, one in Ballard and one in Renton. Order details here. We had to forego the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival this year, but it's still possible to order tulips from Roozengaarde. Local floral shop Verde is reopening in South Lake Union, with curbside pickup available for Mother's Day. Also: See what's blooming in your own yard.
Plan a (safe) excursion. Stroll your neighborhood and wave to other moms (and families). Find an uncrowded park or trail to stretch your legs. (Many state parks are reopening May 5 with social-distancing guidelines.) Take a family bike ride. Bonus: Find one of the places in Seattle where streets are closed to encourage safe walking and biking.
Virtual visits. Connect with aunts, grandmothers or whomever else is special to you by arranging a phone call, a video chat or a drive-by. No, it's not the same as a hug and an afternoon spent together, but it's what we've got right now.
Sweet treats. Support a local bakery, or let the kids play pastry chef. (No shame in using a boxed mix, BTW!)
Mom's choice. Not to get on a soapbox here, but have you noticed that moms often put their own interests behind those of their family? So for this day, let Mom decide. Let her pick the excursion, the movie (plus the movie snacks!), the game, the food, whatever you do.
A little space. When we've asked moms what they really really want for Mother's Day, sometimes they opt for (the rare gift of) time to themselves. That is more difficult than ever to come by these days, so if the mom in your life wants a little "me" time on Sunday, maybe there's a way to make that happen. This particular mom has found, too, that a little "me" time goes a long way. We're not talking a whole day alone, sometimes a quiet hour can prove amazingly refreshing.
Happy Mother's Day, everyone! Whatever you do, be creative, be loving, be grateful — and realize that, with any luck, we'll be able to have a more traditional Mother's Day next year. (Hey, at least this will be one we won't forget … right?)
