CHICAGO — Whoops. Once again, Mother's Day is around the corner, and you haven't found a gift for the most important lady in your life.
We procrastinators at DNAinfo Chicago feel your pain, and we rounded up some Mother's Day gift options in the neighborhoods. So swing by these shops to pick something up before lunch with mom, or bring her to one of the fun, mom-friendly events happening this weekend around the city.
ANDERSONVILLE
If your mom can’t make it to your neck of the woods this weekend, bring some of Andersonville's Swedish charm to her. Pop into the Swedish Museum’s gift shop, 5211 N. Clark St., and get her a hand-carved and brightly painted wood Dala horse, imported from Sweden ($15-$150, depending on size).
Does your mom send you 75 Huffington Post articles per day? Or is that just my mom? Head over to Women and Children First bookstore and get her a copy of Arianna Huffington’s latest book, “Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder" ($26).
If you're stumped on what to get mom and have 15 minutes to decide, head over to Foursided, 5061 N. Clark St. It has loads of clever cards, cute prints and fancy-schmancy candles, including the Kobo Seeds candle ($30), which smells like a garden and literally has seeds in it. The scent/seed options include crushed mint, fresh cut grass, wild tomato vine and more. Yum.
BRIDGEPORT
Your mom spent all those years feeding you. The least you could do is take her out to breakfast. And where better than Polo Cafe? The beloved Bridgeport restaurant, 3322 S. Morgan St., is forgoing its Sunday gospel brunch and replacing it with a gourmet Mother's Day buffet, which includes crabcake nuggets, fried shrimp, salads, pasta and hand-carved meats. The buffet costs $38.50 for adults, $28.50 for seniors, $18.50 for the 12-to-18 set and $12.50 for kids 3 to 11 years old.
If you aren't too crafty but still want to get your mom a one-of-a-kind gift, take her to a special portrait sitting at Project Onward, an arts program for the developmentally and intellectually disabled. Guests at the Mother's Day "Portrait Slam" can commission one of the group's portrait artists for a special picture, which costs $50 for mom and up to two kids, and $30 for mom by herself. The event is Saturday from noon till 3 p.m. at Project Onward, located in the Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W. 35th St.
She might not say it out loud, but your mom wants to spice things up. In the kitchen, that is. Consider the Chicago Ethnic Neighborhoods "Gift Box No. 2" ($22.95) by The Spice House. The collection, which includes Bridgeport, Pilsen and Back of the Yards spice blends for vegetables and poultry, is available at Hardscrabble Gifts, 3333 S. Halsted St.
CHATHAM
No time to hit the Macy's counter for mom? Not worries. Pick her up some luxurious African oils and lotions at Looks & Style, 332 E. 75th St. They come in a variety of scents and will only set you back about $5 each.
Mom deserves a good cocktail every now and then. At A&S Beverages, a liquor boutique at 308 E. 75th St., you can pick up the famous "liquor in a shoe" for $29.99, literally booze in a glass bottle shaped like a shoe. It also sells shoe-shaped wine bottle-holders for $16.99.
Is mom a bit of a hippie? Pick her up some natural goodies from LifeOrganics, 435 E. 75th St. A gift basket filled with all organic products, from lotion to hair oil, starts at $25.
DOWNTOWN
Flowers are great, but flower-shaped cupcakes are better. So before you see mom, pop into Magnolia Bakery at 108 N. State St., and pick up one of its Mother's Day specials, like the flower cupcake; "sweet sayings" devil's food cake topped with chocolate ganache; or "edible image" butter creams, featuring mom-themed messages and pictures.
You can't take her to an island to celebrate, but let her reap the benefits of a dip in the sea with a gift set from h2O+, the international marine skin care line founded and based here in Chicago. Swing by the flagship storefront at 600 N. Michigan Ave. and grab a gift set like the Editor's Favorites Beauty Box ($20), a selection of seven marine-infused skincare products chosen by beauty editors from around the world.
Whether your mom has a sophisticated palate or doesn't know a Hershey's Kiss from a Vosges Haut, we'd wager a guess she likes chocolate. Get her a unique array of the stuff at the NoMI Boutique Chocolate pop-up shop, hosted in the Park Hyatt Chicago Library now through Mother's Day. Award-winning pastry chef Meg Galus' handcrafted bonbons and pastries are made from rare and unique chocolate varieties from around the globe. Open daily from 1 to 8 p.m. at 800 N. Michigan Ave.
EDGEBROOK
If your mom appreciates the needle arts, you can’t go wrong with a piece from MuggyTuesday Jewelry ($25-$65). Available at Local Goods Chicago, 5354 W. Devon Ave., the hand-crocheted jewelry pieces are inspired by the natural world and are eco-friendly.
EDGEWATER
Everyone love cupcakes. And Maddiebird Bakery has a bunch of ‘em. If you want to treat mom to a Mother’s Day sweet treat, head over to 1445 W. Devon Ave. to pick out a dozen cakes ($45). Mix and match chocolate, vanilla, red velvet and more. Call ahead, and owner Michele McAtee will top the cakes with a personalized design.
HYDE PARK & SOUTH SHORE
Go beyond a bouquet of roses. Show mom you appreciate her unique ability to deal with you with a rare crossbreed orchid that will continue blooming from Cornell Florist, 1645 E. 55th St. ($50-$70, depending on variety and arrangement).
Does mom have a salty/sweet obsession? Swing by Give Me Some Sugah, 2234 E. 71st St., and pick her up some of its popular potato chip cookies ($12 per pound). You can't go wrong with the sugar cookie and fruit pizza, either.
JEFFERSON PARK
If your mom hates wearing the same thing as someone else, the China Plate Necklace ($25) from Replica Chicago, 4425 N. Milwaukee Ave., is the ticket. The necklaces are made from broken, cracked or damaged vintage ceramic or pottery. Once the edges have been sanded, a one-of-a-kind, upcycled jewelry piece is born. Available on antiqued brass or silver-filled jump ring chains.
LAKEVIEW
Community-focused mothers who love giving even when they're getting will be thrilled to hear the flowers you picked up are from Urban Meadows, 3208 N. Sheffield Ave. Thresholds, a housing nonprofit for people with mental illnesses, runs the shop, and many of its clients work there. That means you can tell your mom that you not only bought her a bouquet of tulips ($39.99), you supported at-risk populations in Lakeview, too.
If mom likes jewelry, make a quick stop in M2 Boutique, 3527 N. Southport Ave., for a unique piece. All the jewelry is set up by colors or materials, and with many different styles, you're bound to pick something that Mom doesn't already have.
Pastoral Wines and Cheese, 2945 N. Broadway, will put together a gift bag in a jiffy for your wine, cheese and charcuterie-loving mom. Stop by, choose a bunch of cheeses and meats — like a Prairie Breeze ($9.99 for half-pound) and some Molinari Salametti ($7.99 per half-pound) — and maybe offer to picnic with mom later. Then you can share the cheese and win some family time points.
LINCOLN PARK
Lincoln Park's Art Effect boutique is a last-minute shopper's paradise for all things mom. There are cute gift ideas galore at the shop at 934 W. Armitage Ave., including a brass anchor wine bottle-stopper ($35); a bright and colorful ceramic floral vase with the word mother emblazoned across the front ($25); and a hyacinth and honey bubble bath blend ($40).
Don't want to risk picking out the wrong perfume for your mom? Book a "scent creation" session for two at Aroma Workshop ($120), 2050 N. Halsted St., and give her a reason to come visit the neighborhood. The session includes creating two unique 2.2 oz. fragrances from the "Scent Bar."
LINCOLN SQUARE
We defy you to walk into Homesoul, 4526 N. Lincoln Ave., and not find some knickknacky thing mom will proudly pull out of storage to display whenever you visit. Better yet, why not give her an assortment of 80 Acres Products, made with pure olive oil and all kinds of botanicals, minerals and antioxidants?
NEAR WEST SIDE
Shopping for Mother's Day can be fun. Especially with a free brew from Revolution Brewery in hand. Stop by the third anniversary party Friday for Comet Vintage, 1320 W. 18th St., at Pilsen's monthly art walk. Find mom the perfect piece of vintage jewelry and toss in a custom-tailored handmade shirt.
Moms like handmade things. But if you've misplaced your crayon set or just don't have the skills, head over to Modern Cooperative, 1215 W. 18th St., for handmade cards by Paper Parasol Press and Shawna X ($5 a pop). While you're there, snag a piece of estate jewelry from Estate Chicago ($60-$300).
If your mom loves a good bargain, take her out for a day of consignment shopping at Urban Renew, 925 S. Loomis St., a Near West Side boutique that specializes in rehabbing vintage Coach purses and handbags. Purses run anywhere from $24 to $250, depending on the label; $18-$50 for jeans; and $18 to $75 for jewelry. Thrift is the word.
NORTH CENTER
Looking for nice flowers near your place? Neighborly, 2003 W. Montrose Ave., has partnered with Fleur du Jour florist to design three custom bouquet styles to choose from, $35 each, available in-store for walk-in purchase, Friday through Sunday. Take note, procrastinators: Supplies are limited.
RAVENSWOOD
The Chicago Art Girls spring pop-up shop has arrived just in time for you to present mom with an amazing handmade gift — that you didn't have to craft yourself. Head to the Ravenswood Event Center, 4011 N. Ravenswood Ave., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, to shop for jewelry, ceramics, prints and more.
RAVENSWOOD MANOR
Give the gift that'll keep on giving — as long as mom has a green thumb. Pick up heirloom herb and vegetable seedlings at Peterson Garden Project's annual plant sale fundraiser, 4642 N. Francisco Ave. Stop by Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Not to influence which day you attend, but wine is being poured on Sunday.
ROGERS PARK
Didn't make a Mother's Day brunch reservation? No sweat. Hamachi Sushi Bar at 2801 W. Howard St. is offering a five-course sushi dinner with a 10 percent discount when you make a reservation by Friday. Call (773) 293-6904 to reserve a table.
Your mom listened to vinyl before it was cool for the second and third time around. Remind her why. Stop by Audio Archaeology at 1324 W. Devon Ave. to pick up a vintage record player, such as the 1950 Zenith Cobramatic ($430) or an MP3-ready Telefunken ($650). The old-school players might be bigger than an iPhone, but they’re as much a living room decoration as a record player.
UPTOWN
Got the sweetest mom in the world? Treat her to dinner at Ristorante Italiano, 4400 N. Clark St., on Mother's Day and she can get a free dessert. Hey, it even saves you a few bucks.
Flowers and smell-goods are still solid Mother's Day gift options, and Forget Me Knodt, 1313 W. Wilson Ave., has you covered. There are many lovely flower arrangement options, and the luxury bath salts by Violet & Lark caught our eye. Go for the orange bergamot ($20-35), which smells absolutely exquisite.
WICKER PARK
If your mom's a fan of biker fashion, but you don't know the first thing about it, take her to the Saturday grand opening of Tarnish, a biker chic boutique at 2024 W. Chicago Ave. The evening lasts from 6 to 11 p.m., and she can pick out her favorite jacket (synthetic jackets start around $78, while leather ones range from $98-$630) or jewelry pieces, starting at less than $20.
For the mother who can never have enough shoes, pick up a pair of Chie Mihara orange wedges ($385) from City Soles at 2001 W. North Ave. or browse via the online store. On the other end of the price spectrum, mom might love a Sbicca black leather T-strap heel ($69.99).
