Things to Do and Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day in Toronto
Okay moms, there’s no question that you deserve a wonderful Mother’s Day. So to help get you there, we’ve rounded up a collection of your best bests for Mother’s Day in Toronto, a list of (mostly) family-friendly events happening on or near May 12 right here in the GTA. And to make your day even better, we start with a curated list of local gift ideas that you may want to drop some hints about to your loved ones.
We hope that all the moms reading this have an amazing Mother’s Day.
Best Bets for Mother’s Day in Toronto: Gift Ideas
Mildred’s Temple
85 Hanna Ave., Toronto
Sure, you could try to get a table for Mother’s Day brunch at this extremely popular Liberty Village restaurant but given how long the lineups are on non-special occasion days, we wouldn’t recommend it. However, we would recommend checking out some of the delicious items you can order from Mildred’s to take home. There’s the $42.50 Pancakes Fit For A Queen package, the $38 Trio of Preserves and the $175 FOGO Box, which includes the pancake package along with some delicious extras, a tote bag and more. Items can be picked up at the restaurant or delivered to your house.
Collected Joy
Three locations across the city
Self-described as “the cutest and most fun and sweetest little gift stores in Toronto,” Collected Joy is sure to have something to brighten your Mother’s Day. Here your family will find everything from fragrant bath products to fancy teas and preserves to locally produced artwork and jewellery. In short, it’s an ideal spot to set the kids loose to shop for mom. Collected Joy can be found at 1035 Kingston Road, 598 Mount Pleasant Road, and 2318 Bloor Street West.
Marmalade Designs
9 Davies Ave., Unit #312, Toronto
Crafted by hand in Leslieville, Marmalade Designs is perfect for those moms who love unique jewellery. While the brand does offer a wide range of ready-to-wear items, such as cute stud earrings and nature-themed rings, it also sells custom necklaces and bracelets. Have your kids select a few charms (including letters) and create something completely personalized to you. Best of all, prices are quite reasonable, with most charms in the $30 to $40 range (and some ever cheaper).
Mave & Chez slippers
Online only
Have you met the world’s first-ever “stylish, ergonomic slipper”? Mave & Chez is a company founded by two Toronto-based women who are aiming to shake up the sleepy slipper industry with footwear that looks and feels amazing (they have arch support!). These slippers are also practical, with insoles that you can wash, meaning you wear them for years to come. Additionally, from now until Mother’s Day, 10 per cent of slipper sales will be donated to Shelter Movers, an organization that assists women and children who are fleeing abuse and gender-based violence.
Relevé
1727 Bayview Ave., Toronto
Why not use Mother’s Day as an excuse to update your wardrobe? Leaside’s Relevé specializes in gorgeous and comfortable activewear and lougewear pieces that that you’re sure to get tons of use out of. Two of its top sellers include the Hawley Half Zip Sweat from Varley and the Performance Jogger by vuori, items that are both practical and flattering. Or check out the versatile quilted carryall from Free People, a perfect replacement for that old diaper bag you’ve been using!
Sweet Pea’s
163 Sterling Rd., Unit R, Toronto
Flox
184 Munro St., Toronto
Sure, flowers for Mother’s Day are a total cliché but let’s be honest, there are few ways more colourful and fragrant that say “I love you.” Some of the best floral arrangements in the west end can be found at Sweetpea’s, which is known for sourcing ecologically and socially responsible blooms. It has a massive and creative selection to choose from, including potted orchids. Just be sure to let your family know that this is not a retail store, and all orders must be placed in advance (but orders can be picked up from the Sterling Road location).
Over in the east end, Flox is a reliable bet for a big, beautiful bouquet that will bring joy into your home for days to come. Besides cut flowers, a variety of potted plants are available (including orchids), making this a great option for all the plant moms out there. Various add-ons, such as candles and even chocolate, can also be included.
V de V
797 Dundas St. W., Toronto
Fine, this is technically a Montreal-based company, but it does have a brick-and-mortar store in Toronto so that counts as local, right? With items for every room in the home as while as the garden, there is something for every mom in this charming shop. Perhaps an elegant new vase? Or a cozy throw? And let’s not forget a gorgeous yet practical seasoning bowl. And many items are available at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Best Bets for Mother’s Day in Toronto: Things to Do
Mother’s Day Workshops with Studio Mooi
Studio Mooi, 926 Kingston Rd., Toronto
Saturdays and Sundays: May 4 & 5; May 10 & 12
East-end creative space Studio Mooi is hosting various mom-focused workshops that all include coffee, tea, and a sweet treat. If you’re a mom with a teenager, or maybe want to do something with your mom, check out the May 4 Skin Care and Morning Tea event, which will have you creating lip balm, bath bombs and more, or the May 12 Florals workshop, which will have you creating a lush fresh floral arrangement. The cost for these workshops is $90 (if you register two people at once) and $170, respectively. If your child is twelve and up, consider the Floral Cupcake Bouquets and Afternoon Tea on May 5, where the focus is making tasty and beautiful cupcakes, and the fee is $100 per person. Finally, there’s the Edible Treats Workshop on the evening of May 10, which is suitable for kids ages eight and up and results in you taking home some delicious and beautiful goodies. This workshop costs $99 per person.
Le Dolci Culinary Classes
12 Sousa Mendes St., Toronto
Thursday May 9 – Sunday May 12
Moms with sweet tooths will want to check out the scrumptious classes offered by Le Dolci. Open to all ages, these kid-friendly events include a cake decorating class on Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12, a doughnut class on Sunday May 12, and a cinnamon bun baking class available from Thursday May 9 to Sunday May 12. All classes will have you bringing home something tasty and while you’re learning, you’ll get to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine. Most classes start at $139 per person.
Plants from Toronto Botanical Garden’s Annual Spring Plant Sale
777 Lawrence Ave. E., Toronto
Saturday May 11 & Sunday May 12
Are you a plant mom? Then you’ll want to check out one of the city’s most anticipated plant sales, which conveniently falls on Mother’s Day weekend this year. Hosted by the Toronto Botanical Garden, this annual event features, “a thoughtful selection of top-performing and ethically sourced plants from reliable Canadian growers.” Here you’ll find everything from flowering annuals to small trees and shrubs. And perhaps best of all, the Garden’s experts will be on hand to help you make the perfect selection. The sale is free to attend, and all proceeds go towards supporting the Garden. Also, if you’re a member, you’re eligible to start your shopping on Friday, May 10.
Girls Night Out – A Tribute to 2000s Fem Pop/Rock
The Rec Room, 255 Bremner Blvd., Toronto
Saturday May 11
Sometimes moms just need to have fun, without the kids. So leave them at home with dad or a sitter, grab your girls, and hit up the Rec Room’s dance floor where a live cover band will be performing some of the biggest female-fronted songs of the 2000s (think Britney, Avril, and of course, Rihanna). Tickets for this 19+ event start at $17.31 each.
Brunch – Buffet
Various Locations
Sunday May 12
If your perfect Mother’s Day includes an over-the-top brunch, Toronto’s fanciest hotels have what you’re craving. At Reign, located inside the Royal York Hotel, you’ll dine on made-to-order eggs benedicts, triple AAA sirloin, and lamb for $135 an adult and $55 a child. Not bougie enough for you? Then try TOCA, located inside The Ritz Carlton, which will be serving up
tables filled with seafood, pasta, desserts and more, for a fee of $185 for adults and $85 for kids.
But if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, and a little more flexible with timing, Hothouse (35 Church St.) is offering a brunch (9:00 am to 3:00 pm) and a dinner buffet (4:00 pm to 9 pm) for $50 per person. There your choices include prime rib, lobster Mac and cheese, and an oyster bar.
Brunch – Prix Fixe
Various Locations
Sunday May 12
Into brunch but not buffets? We get you and we give you a trio of prix fixe options. At the reliably classy Jump restaurant (18 Wellington St. W.), your kids can select off the children’s menu while the adults enjoy a $65 three-course meal that includes such options as salmon gravlax as your appetizer, French toast Croissant as your main, and Lemon Meringue Sorbet as your dessert. Another elegant option, and one that’s right on the subway, is Hart House’s Gallery Grill (7 Hart House Cir,). It’s offering a three- course prix fixe menu at $65 per person that includes a glass of prosecco (or a non-alcoholic option), nibbles and such options as grilled Ontario asparagus, avocado toast with smoked salmon and pancakes for the kids.
But if you’d prefer things a little cooler and more low-key, stop by the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.) and enjoy its multi-course brunch. The menu includes blueberry scones, the Drake benny, and a house-made lemon meringue tart. There’s also a special menu for kids. The per-plate fee for adults is $50 and $25 for kids. As a special treat, all moms receive a gift from Indigenous woman-owned small business Roots + Raven. Your loved ones can also take your meal up a notch by adding on a bouquet for an extra fee.
Casa Loma High Tea
1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Sunday May 12
High tea is another one of those classic Mother’s Day activities and while there are a few options to choose from in Toronto, if you want a picture-perfect high tea experience, you want to reserve a spot at Casa Loma. Described as, “an elevated experience,” this high tea includes “a selection of premium teas, scones, gourmet pastries and tea sandwiches,” which you will enjoy in the regal atmosphere of Toronto’s only castle. Following (or before) your meal, you can explore the castle and its grounds. Admission is $75 per person and no, there’s unfortunately no kid’s rate.
Centreville Amusement Park
Centre Island, Toronto
Sunday May 12
Moms get to ride for free on Mother’s Day at Centreville Amusement Park, so long as at least someone in your party purchases a ride-all-day pass. And who wouldn’t want to take multiple rides on the log flume, the Rockin’ Ferry and of course the swan boats? Plus visiting Centreville means your family gets to take a ferry trip (buy those tickets in advance) over to the Toronto Islands. Ride-all-day passes for non-moms are $31.64 for those under four feet and $40.71 for everyone taller than that.
Mother’s Day Blossoms & Bliss
Illuminarium, 28 Gristmill Ln., Toronto
Sunday May 12
The Distillery District’s Illuminarium is hosting a Mother’s Day experience that is sure to be memorable. It starts with a viewing of the space’s current production: Lite-Brite World of Wonder. This unique experience will have you immersed in a 360-degree projection show that includes interactive elements and games. The show last about an hour and after you get to build your own floral bouquet. Or get the kids to do it, while you enjoy the included mocktail. Tickets cost $65 per person.
