The Best Mother's Day Gifts
The Best Mother's Day Gifts
From Jon Bon Jovi spices to a food festival at sea, here are the best gifts for the mom (or mom figure) in your life
Mother’s Day is this Sunday — the annual day where we try to repay the person in our life that bandaged all the banged up knees we got as kids and banged up hearts we experienced later in life.
If you’re a procrastinator, you still have time to get a well thought out gift for the mother (or mother figure) in your life. From spices for the mom who grew up in the 80s to a foodie’s dream on the ocean, here are the five best gifts for Mother’s Day.
Virgin Voyages Eat & Drink Festival
When Richard Branson launched Virgin Voyages a few years back, he disrupted the cruise industry by launching a fleet of midsized ships that allowed no children, featured no buffets, and had no Broadway reviews. Instead, the ships offer fun and games for grownups who can play arcade games, dance on deck, and recharge. And, instead of buffets and large dining rooms, each ship offers multiple restaurants where sailors (Virgin lingo for passengers) can choose between Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and more (including a molecular gastronomy tasting menu). July is Virgin’s Eat & Drink Festival month, where sailors are treated to an Asian Night Market, a spirited dinner series, boozy scavenger hunts, and more. Best part? Book the cruise as a weekend getaway for the two of you — there’s no better bonding than over cocktails on the Lido deck.
JBJ Soul Kitchen Seasoning
If mom grew up in the 1980s (or has a pulse at any age), there’s a good chance that she’s a fan of Jon Bon Jovi. The Jersey-born rocker isn’t just known for his music — he’s a philanthropist whose JBJ Soul Kitchen restaurants in New Jersey offer meals without prices. The restaurant is on a “pay-what-you-can” system. I you can’t pay for your meals, you can always pitch in and help in exchange for some good food. The restaurants also provide job training in the hospitality field. So far, 189,075 meals have been served. You can take Mom to one of its two locations (Toms River and Red Bank) or, if you don’t live in New Jersey, you can order her some merch. There’s a mug, a t-shirt, an apron, or signature seasonings.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival Tickets
If mom lives in a cold climate, chances are her dream vacation is a trip to Miami Beach in the winter. This year, surprise mom with tickets to the ultimate Spring Break for foodies — a weekend at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. The festival runs from February 20-23 next year, giving you both ample time to plan that winter break. Plus, you’ll be able to have her brag for nearly an entire year what a great child you are.
Always Pan
Two years ago, I caved in to the Always Pan’s marketing campaigns and purchased an acid green pan. That pan is my favorite item in my kitchen: bright and cheery, it’s always available for me. The Always Pan has helped me perfect my omelet game and so much more. I can cook with it and it cleans in about a nanosecond. If you purchase directly through the Our Place website, they tend to be slow in mailing and delivering (I think it two two or more weeks to receive mine) but now Amazon delivers the Always Pan in a day! Get one for mom (and put one away for Father’s Day while you’re at it).
Pasolivo Press Club
I love good olive oil and have had some of the best from Spain, Italy, and Greece but I have to be honest — the most delicious olive oil I’ve ever encountered was from Pasolive in Paso Robles, California. I especially love the California extra virgin olive oil, which has a distinct sharp, grassy taste. It’s a fantastic oil for drizzling on arugula or for dipping bread. If mom loves oiive oil, then a membership in the Pasolivo Press Club is a perfect gift. Members receive three shipments per year in March, June, and September. Plus,will receive access to a special holiday shipment in December. The shipments are customizable, so prices vary.