This month we will be celebrating and paying tribute to the finest ladies in our lives on Sunday, May 10th, and the tradition of finding a “more perfect” Mother’s Day gift than the last is alive and well for most. This may sound like it’s a challenge but rest assured there are so many great ways to treat women of all ages that can easily be found all across town.

Boutiques, Boutiques, Boutiques!

Boutique shopping is particularly great for Mother’s Day gifts because of all of the unique finds each has to offer! Always on-trend because the buyers for our local boutiques generally hand pick the items they will carry from the most popular markets all over the United States, they bring the best of each season back to us here in Omaha and currently have the latest in spring fashion available with plenty of new colors and looks for the season. You may not necessarily want to go for the items that are size specific, and that’s no problem either; most carry a great selection of scarves, belts, hats, hair accessories, purses, clutches, wallets, cosmetics or perfume, home décor items, stationery…the list goes on and on!

Erin Luong Pulp Boutique Mother's Day“Some of the best gifts are ones that continue to make your mother or wife feel beautiful even after Mother’s Day,” advises Erin Luong, owner of Pulp Boutique. “Think of the senses–products that stimulate by scent, sight and touch reinforce the thoughtfulness of your gift every time she uses them. Unique gifts that can’t be found in big box stores are a subtle reflection of how important your loved one is to you.

At Pulp Boutique, we’ve curated a wonderful selection of gift items perfect for Mother’s Day. From artisan greeting cards to soaps and items for the bath, candles and jewelry, you’re guaranteed to find that perfect gift for your loved one. We feature many products that are sustainably made in the USA and have the added benefit of social giving so that your gift benefits many people. We are honored to be the only store in Omaha that carries Melinda Maria jewelry, which has a big following in Hollywood, but is priced to be accessible for everyone. I love their ‘Goddess’ line of necklaces and bracelets. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the strength in every woman. In honor of Mother’s Day we will be giving away an 18k gold Melinda Maria bracelet valued at $70. We will also offer free gift wrapping for the month of May.”

Susie Keuck Nouvelle Eve Omaha Nebraska Mother's DayWhen asked about items that would make great Mother’s Day gifts, Susie Keuck of Nouvelle Eve also offered some excellent ideas: “We are thrilled to have some beautiful new jewelry lines that are exclusive to Nouvelle Eve. We really love Adina Reyter, a jewelry design and manufacturing company based in Los Angeles, CA. Founded in 2001 by Adina Reyter, the company has become a leader in creating versatile, everyday chic jewelry. As chief designer, Adina Reyter creates those forever pieces that blend contemporary and classic design. This is jewelry that pushes the boundaries yet remains wearable, beautiful, and timeless.

We also love Sarah McGuire! New York-schooled, Chicago-based jewelry designer and metalsmith Sarah McGuire finds inspiration in organic forms, manmade curiosities and classic modernist design. Growing up in New England, Sarah spent her summers on the beaches of Cape Cod and coastal Connecticut, collecting objects and absorbing the landscape that would later inform her work as a jeweler.

From her timber-loft studio, the designer and a small team craft each piece of jewelry by hand. Sarah uses recycled metal – primarily high-karat gold and sterling – mixing it with linen, leather, rough gemstones and diamonds that are conflict-free and responsibly sourced. With its emphasis on both design and craftsmanship, Sarah’s spare, organic work rewards scrutiny without clamoring for attention. Her goal is to make timeless, meticulously crafted pieces that can be treasured for years to come.

We are so proud to offer both of these designers and love them so much you are certain to catch us wearing their designs. Nouvelle Eve also offers many other jewelry lines that cause a great deal of excitement every time they hit the floor. If you want to be among the first to know about these beautiful gems let us know and we would be happy to add you to our ‘in the know’ list. All you have to do is let us know specific interests and we will be happy to keep you ‘in the know.’

As far as finding the perfect gift this year, she advises, “Listen to the cues throughout the year and jot down little notes and mentions made by your loved ones. It’s as simple as knowing the way they take their coffee to their favorite forbidden treat. Make it a day about being together and happiness and not about stuff. The perfect gift is spending time not money, so make a date with your mother, mother-in-law, or special someone and share some treasured time this Mother’s Day.

Nouvelle Eve is a women’s boutique that has been in the Old Market for 42 years. We pride ourselves on work/ life balance and encourage everyone around us to do the same. We also believe that if you look good, you feel good and we are here to help you make that happen. Please stop in to share a smile and a laugh even if you don’t need a thing! Happy Mother’s Day from the ladies at Nouvelle Eve.”

Treat Her to Specialty Sweets

Especially for the ladies who are notorious for having a serious sweet tooth, just about any fancy goodies are sure to do the trick very nicely. Well known for their creativity and signature recipes, Alotta Brownies Bakery has plenty of excellent options those who are looking for a special Mother’s Day treat.

Photo_Michelle_Kaiser_Alotta_Brownies-Mother's Day_Omaha_Nebraska“Our exclusive gourmet gift baskets are a popular Mother’s Day gift every year, mainly because they can be customized with all of her favorite sweet treats,” says Michelle Kaiser, owner of Alotta Brownies Bakery. “We also have a lot of orders for Mother’s Day cakes, which are equally popular as they can be made in a wide variety of flavors and decorated in any way imaginable. For our gift baskets and cakes we prefer a week’s notice, but we are flexible and also have plenty of gift items that can be easily picked up in our store in Fremont or at several convenient locations across the Omaha Metro. A selection of Alotta Brownies’ signature desserts and gourmet mixes can now be found at Atomic Bombshells and Jock & Jill’s Popcorn as well as at Stories Coffeehouse, located at 180th and Pacific.

With the extensive selection of treats that can be included in the mix of gift basket items–brownies, sugar cookies, coconut macaroons, mini cheesecakes, bonbons, gourmet mixes for baking signature Alotta Brownies treats at home, gourmet coffee, and more–there are plenty of options to choose from in putting together a unique gift basket. There are also gluten-free options available for our gourmet mixes in the gift baskets, including lemon bars, zebra cheesecake bars, and brownies.

However, if you’re stuck on what to get this year, consider her favorite things or even items that you’d like to receive yourself. Everything we carry at Alotta Brownies is made with care and love; we truly enjoy taking the extra steps to go above and beyond for our customers.”

Suggestions for Professional Pampering

Just as important as gift items, services that make that special lady look and feel pretty or make her life easier are at the top of the list of great gifts for Mother’s Day.

So why consider giving your mom some pampering in the form of professional spa treatments such as a facial or skin care services this Mother’s Day, aside from the relaxing benefits? Regardless of your age, if you want your skin to look its very best you need to consider regular monthly facials.  A facial does for your skin what exercise does for your body.  It keeps it in tip top shape. By sloughing, buffing, hydrating, clearing and nourishing on a professional level your skin will always look radiant and beautiful.

Seeking out a highly trained professional esthetician is like hiring a personal trainer for your skin. Your esthetician is there to offer you important advice about how your skin is influenced by diet, exercise, sun, stress and other lifestyle choices that affect the health and look of your skin.

Having a facial, skin care treatment or even a massage also offers a relaxing, de-stressing point of refuge where one can melt into luxury.  As a mother it doesn’t get much better to take a little time out from the daily grind to lie down on a superbly comfortable bed with low lighting, soothing music and the soft sounds of waves rolling up onto the shore.  When the door closes, all of the cares and worries you came in with are left outside of the room.  Plus you’ll leave looking and feeling great!

Another somewhat non-traditional form of pampering would be to handle the housecleaning for her! All of the mothers out there are generally the ones who are the most deserving of a respite from their normal household duties. So this year, consider giving the gift of house cleaning services. You’ll not only be giving her the gift of time to do something she really would rather be doing, but she’ll be refreshed when she returns to her professionally cleaned home! You could choose to set up a one-time cleaning or several appointments to get a regular schedule going; there are a variety of different options to choose from. It’s definitely a thoughtful way to give her a break to get out and enjoy a day to herself or spend precious time with her family making memories instead of being stuck inside cleaning!

Gathering Together to Celebrate

Finally, many of us are looking forward to gathering together with our loved ones to celebrate Mother’s Day. If you’re idea of celebrating Mother’s Day doesn’t include hanging out in a crowded restaurant, consider picking up some delicious fare from Just Good Meat and staying in!

Photo_Sean_Fuller-Mother's Day_Just_Good_Meat_Omaha_Nebraska“Our filets seem to be one of our most popular items with the ladies, so we always offer great specials on them for Mother’s Day,” says Sean Fuller, owner of Just Good Meat. “The spring weather during the month of May is perfect for grilling out, and between the two holidays of Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, everyone is spending quality time with family and friends. All of that combined makes getting together for a barbecue is the way to go! If you’re treating Mom to a steak, aside from our bacon-wrapped filets we also have plenty of other great cuts of steaks as well as fresh fish and chicken—when it comes to meat, we have all of the bases covered! We will also be bringing back our Sweetheart Package especially for Mother’s Day, which includes two 5 oz. filets, two twice-baked potatoes and two 7-8 oz. lobster tails for just $44.99. Stop in and let us help you put together a delicious meal that the special mothers in your life are sure to love!”

However, if you are in fact looking for a special place to spend time together that doesn’t require any work at all on your end except for coordinating where everyone will meet, you’re probably not alone. Considering that Mom is excluded from doing any of the work on this particular day, it might be wise to leave the hosting up to professionals at a local venue who will be working hard to make sure Mother’s Day is a memorable occasion for their guests. After all, treating your mom, or many times the entire family, to a fabulous dining experience is a great way to spend Mother’s Day together. There are plenty of excellent local restaurants in Omaha, with a healthy mix of established venues that are classic favorites as well as newer spots that you may be dying to try out. As it’s a very busy day in the restaurant industry, make sure to call ahead and make a reservation or plan the events of your day accordingly.

No matter what you choose to present to the special mothers that you know and love this year to show your appreciation for all that they do, it all comes down to the well-known saying, “It’s the thought that counts.” With so many excellent options, there’s sure to be something perfect out there for every lady on your list. We wish all of the lovely mothers out there a wonderful, blessed Mother’s Day—you truly have made our world a better place and we are thankful to have you all in our lives!