Breaking news: Mother’s Day is May 9 this year—less than two weeks away! AND, the kiddos won’t be making in-school Mother’s Day gifts and toting them home this year, thus saving you from the embarrassment of forgetting the day.
So, what will you do? Luckily, Orillia’s creatives and chefs have you covered. As I do…so, stay tuned and I will help you out of your Mother’s Day pickle!
Firstly, the Orillia District Arts Council has put together a Mother’s Day extravaganza video, called A Tribute to Moms. Full details are hush-hush right now, but I can tell you it features art, artists, music, and storytelling and includes special guests Gaia Orion, folks from Storytelling Orillia, and musician Marta Solek, among others.
This video tribute will be available on the ODAC website for free, starting Friday May 7 at 7 p.m., and you can find it by clicking here and going to VIDEOS. This will be a special event you can enjoy with your mom, or send her the link if you aren’t able to be with her in person. What mom doesn’t love being the focus of numerous tribute pieces, and a video especially tailored to her special day? Hats off to ODAC for supporting local creatives and moms in this pandemic year. Looking forward to this fun video and tribute.
Another creative idea for Mother’s Day is brought to you, courtesy of a conglomerate of local female-owned businesses, including Hip Chick Design. This beautiful $150 Mother’s Day gift package includes:
- Hand-tied bouquet by Elegance of Nature
- Four assorted macaroons by Vanilla Sprinkle
- $50 gift certificate for Hip Chick Design
- Handcrafted watercolour card by Steph Whalen
- Handmade malt balls by DWN Chocolate
- Bottle of wine (red or white) from Holland Marsh Wineries
- Four Lemon Blueberry scones from Eclectic Café
This package would go a long way to alleviate a mother’s pandemic blues and, of course, is a way to support local businesses in a big way! If you think your mom or the mother of your children would enjoy this, order now before they are all sold out, by emailing [email protected] today. Limited numbers of packages are available, so you must email and reserve yours ASAP, to get one.
Package pick up is at Eclectic Café in downtown Orillia on Saturday, May. 8 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oh, and every package sold gets entered into a draw for a Hip Chick apron of choice - a $100 value. Wow! Just another reason to grab one today.
If that doesn’t speak to you, or you procrastinated and you didn’t grab your package in time, how about supporting local galleries, makers, and artists, by doing a curbside pick up of a lovely piece of art or jewellery, or something handmade, from our local creatives?
Three Crows Speak Studio has artisan soaps, paintings, crystals, bath products, meditation tools, essential oils, oracle cards, jewellery, fine art, art cards, gifts, fibre art and candles available, and owner Sylvia Tesori can help you find exactly what you are looking for.
She also offers free delivery in and around Orillia and Midland, every Thursday! Check out her Facebook page to see what is on offer, or email her at [email protected] to see what she can deliver to you.
Of course, all of our local galleries and creatives have wonderful gift options for mom and can offer you curbside pick up and help with picking out the perfect piece. Check out https://www.makersmarketorillia.ca/, https://www.facebook.com/peterstreetfinearts, https://www.tiffins.on.ca/, https://www.orilliamuseum.org/, https://www.facebook.com/The-Shadowbox-483192101798587, https://www.creativenomadstudios.ca/, https://cloudgallery.ca/, and so many others to access personal shopping and curbside pick up from our local Orillia artists. It is guaranteed you will find the perfect option for your special mom!
If you aren’t sure what mom would like, take the time to grab a gift certificate from a local business, so she can pick something out when things reopen. This is another helpful way to support and shop local.
Take the time to view the often-detailed websites and Facebook posts to really see what these local businesses have to offer. Or reach out and message the owners to get a personal shopping experience.
They will go out of their way to help you find the perfect gift for mom, or anyone else on your list. And you will be helping to make sure that these special places will still be here, when we come out the other side of these dreadful times.
Lastly, if you are looking for a special meal for mom, or to share with her on Mother’s Day, many local restaurants are doing special Mother’s Day take-out meals. Check out Youth Leadership Camp of Canada’s take-out restaurant, CAMP, on social media here.
Or Couchiching Craft Brewery’s Mother’s Day Take-Out package, available for take-out or free delivery on the big day. This is a multi-course meal for two and you can get wine or beer as well! Check it out here.
Or, local downtown fave, The Common Stove will have options from both The Common Stove and PICNIC, the latest downtown venture…check out their social media for both closer to the date!
Remember, you have less than two weeks to go before mom’s big day, so think about what you want to do, and make it happen through your local creatives, galleries, restaurants and businesses. Let’s make this last pandemic Mother’s Day a great one for mom and for our local area. Take care of each other.
REMINDERS: The Artist Call Out deadline from Sustainable Orillia, with the theme of Renewal, is April 30. Click here for all the details on how to apply.
The Orillia Chapter of the Songwriters Association of Canada is having its first meeting May 4, at 7 p.m. For more information, email Peter at [email protected] or Wendy at [email protected].
If you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.
