Here’s our step-by-step guide to planning a day out with mommy dearest that shows her how important she is to you.

Written by Ross Dias 

If you’re lucky enough to have a loving mother in your life, she’s probably one of the most important people in it. But, you don’t need me to tell you that, you need me to show your mother a good time so she knows.

It’s good strategy to shower her with presents, but the better strategy is to plan a whole day around her interests because the real gift here is your time <3. And that’s a fact. Most mothers would prefer a meal, experience or alone time with their family, according to research by Capital One.

Eat: Noce

Start the afternoon off with a beautiful feast for the eyes (and nose and mouth) at a storied restaurant. We recommended Noce, an Italian staple in Trinity-Bellwoods for 22 years, that recently went through a gut renovation. The taste of Italy is strong here, with no arancini ball left unturned to deliver an authentic, fresh and wood-fired experience. While at Noce, try chef Eron Novalski’s scrumptious dessert, Sex in a Pan. It’s good for a chuckle and a little side eye from your mother, but it also is an orgasm in your mouth, so it stays true to its name.  

Present: jewellery 

Keeping with the theme of recent revamps, head to Grange Park, located in the shadows of OCAD university and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Open for a less than a year following the added greenery and relocation of Henry Moore’s “Two Large Forms”, the blue exterior view of the Frank Gehry-designed AGO staircase from the park is a different perspective on something both she and you are very familiar with.

Relaxing in the spring sun surrounded by the neighbourhood’s stunning architecture is also the perfect opportunity to hand over a pair of statement earrings. We really like these industrial graduated link earrings from our Fifth Avenue friends, Tiffany and Co. in 18 karat gold. If you’re looking to keep things Canadian, these petal-shaped yellow gold and diamond stud earrings from Birks should do the trick.

Visit: AGO

After you’ve both soaked in your fill of afternoon sun, mom can show off her new hardware indoors at the AGO for a special Mother’s Day-themed tour where you will learn about the matrilineal connections between artists Shuvani Ashoona, her mother Sorosilooto Ashoona and her grandmother Pitseolak Ashoona.

Relax: The Ten Spot 

If you feel like staying out later, a perfect cap to the day is a relaxing and hour-long cleansing facial at The Ten Spot featuring  exfoliation, steam and a massage.

Self-care: at home

Don’t forget to moisturize! If we know anything about beauty, it’s that Korean brands are the most innovative in the industry right now. Though, it can be hard to locate niche, obscure brands in Toronto. Luckily, Take Good Care does all the work for you. Try Soroci’s hydrating serums and creams for a luxurious at-home treatment.

Following a day of walking around, it’s time to pop open some bubbly, sit down and not move for a while! Nothing beats the comfort of a good rocking chair, and a chic one is all the better to add a dash of style to a comfortable corner, like with this mustard-coloured Bennet rocking chair from Structube.

Drink: Veuve or Moet

Picking up a bottle of her go-to champagne is a little predictable, so look for something that’s a little more imaginative. Ever since Madame Clicquot took over the reins of the house in 1805, Veuve Clicquot has specially put aside exceptional reserve wines with great structure, which are used to create the Veuve Clicquot Extra Brut Extra Old. It’s stoic and packed with historical knowledge – a perfect nod to your mother’s strengths. Or, for something bright, elegant, and fruity, try Moët and Chandon’s Nectar Impérial Rosé.

Watch: in VR

There’s so much available on screen from “Grace and Frankie” to “The Handmaid’s Tale” to unwind, but surprise your mother by bringing out the cardboard VR headset. We recommend a viewing of Living with Jaguars, from the team at Motherboard who traveled to the Brazilian Pantanal and learned everything they could about panther conservation efforts. It’s unexpectedly entertaining, and viewing the documentary in Virtual Reality is an experience that will leave you and your mom engaged, informed and hopeful.

Sit back, and relax! After the day you’ve had, you deserve it!