The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Toronto

While moms like you deserve to be celebrated every Mother’s Day, the intensity that has been the last year makes us think that Mother’s Day 2021 needs to be an extra-special event. And since we still can’t visit the spa, eat in restaurants or even spend the day with those we don’t already live with, that “extra-specialness” might just come in the form of an amazing gift.

Of course, moms are hardly the only group that has been coping with a challenging (to be it mildly) past year; Covid-19 has also wreaked havoc on the small business community. So we figured why not promote a few Toronto and area small businesses while also rounding up some amazing Mother’s Day gift inspiration? You know, gifts that you actually want to receive.

Below we highlight two dozen ideas that we think you’ll love and whose purchase will help keep a part of your community afloat.

Bag of Toronto

This fun way of supporting local businesses, Bag of Toronto, has expanded to seven Toronto neighbourhoods and now covers Bloorcourt, Bloordale, College Promenade, Ossington, Queen West, Trinity Bellwoods and Riverdale. Each $65 bag contains five-to-seven different items from five-to-seven neighbourhood businesses—think items like coffee, baked goods and gift cards—and also includes a $5 donation to a neighbourhood charity. Bags will be delivered May 8 so if you’d like a Bag of Toronto for Mother’s Day, be sure to start dropping some strong hints now.

Meal Services

Some days, the greatest gift is knowing that you don’t have to cook dinner. While there are plenty of big-name meal service companies out there, consider asking for deliveries by one of the many Toronto restaurants that have had to “pivot” into this space. KITCH Catering, run by the people behind a couple outposts of Starving Artist, offers an ever changing menu of just-heat-up comfort food dishes while General Assembly pizza has launched “the world’s first pizza subscription service.” Looking for tons of variety? Point your loved ones in the direction of The Good Grocer, which offers premade meals from The Pie Commission, Oliver & Bonacini, Marben and more.

Boozy Inspirations

Does your ideal (pre-Covid) night-out include an elaborate cocktail that features ingredients you can’t even pronounce? Then consider asking for one (or two) of Project Gigglewater’s DIY cocktail kits or preblended fancy drinks. If you’re more of a wine mom, check out what female-run Grape Witches has on offer. Prefer beer? Then the east end’s Leftfield Brewery , which offers everything from IPAs to an Italian Pilsner, deserves a look.

Gift Boxes

If your love language is presents, consider asking for a gift box packed with beautiful—and useful—items. The Penny Paper will let your family create their own box for you while The Happy Box will do the work for them, curating skin care, snacks and more from local shops. Want something focused on self-care and mental wellness? Then request one of Crying Out Loud’s beautifully packaged boxes.

Live Events

Someday we’ll get to gathered together indoors, in front of a stage, again. Until then, help support the hard-hit performing arts section by asking for a gift certificate to such beloved Toronto institutions as the Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, or Mirvish Productions.

Something Sparkly

Ossington’s Anice Jewellery has created a beautiful Mother’s Day gift guide packed with shiny objects at a range of prices. It features hand-carved flower pendants, personalized necklaces and even an at-home jewellery-making workshop. Want something that sparkles while also helping one of the city’s most important institutions? Then check out Mel Spivak Jewellery’s special Project Halo collection, which will see 30 percent of its proceeds donated to SickKids. Priced from $65 to $350, the collection features five delicate necklace designs in sterling silver and gold plate. And since there is a pandemic happening, we also want to highlight some of the prettiest mask accessories we’ve seen: By Davine’s stunning—and practical—mask clips.

Spa At Home

The classic Mother’s Day gift of a spa day has gotten a pandemic makeover with at-home spa kits. Popular mani/pedi spot Your Majesty’s Pleasure is offering a number of “decadent” boxes (some even include a mini bottle of champagne) while Body Blitz Spa has packaged up its beloved mint lime products into one amazing smelling kit. Even Glama Gals Kids Spa, has gotten in on the fun with its Mom & Me At Home Kit, which includes everything you and your little princess need for an at-home manicure and pedicure.

Tasty Treats

Tell us how you like to consumer your sugar and we’ll give you a gift idea. Love cookies? Then request a box from the rightfully popular Craig’s Cookies, which also sells frozen cookie dough. What something delicious and cute? Try Daan Go Cake Lab, home to some absolutely adorable macarons. Want flat-out decadence? Euro Desserts’ over-the-top doughnut and cakes will satisfy that craving. And if you’re missing Mother’s Day high tea, check out Kitten and Bear’s Mother’s Day Scone Gift Bundle or, if you want something a little different, see how the Samosarie is turning high tea into chai tea with a “grazing platter” that includes mango lassi parfait and homemade mango chutney.