Mother's Day is coming up soon! How will you celebrate your mom this year on a very special holiday observed in more than 40 countries worldwide? We've got some ideas.
When I was little, we always made a big deal about Mother's Day. My dad was in the military so we lived in quite a few places, but we always had a family hike and a picnic on my mom's special day. I remember the whole family hiking up into the mountains when we lived in Colorado Springs and having a picnic at a scenic spot. After Jim and I got married, the picnic tradition continued. When we lived in Charlotte, we would often take the boys on a day trip to the Asheville area on Mother's Day. Jim would make a beautiful picnic lunch and we'd all enjoy a hike before digging in. To this day, Jim is still a fantastic cook and I still love picnics!
If your mom is always busy, maybe she'd like a calm, relaxing day with no responsibilities. If she's someone who craves excitement, make sure you give it to her! Every mom is different but they all want to be recognized and appreciated by their children, especially on Mother's Day.
We've come up with some very special ideas to honor your mom on Mother's Day in Fairhope, AL:
Present Mom with a gratitude journal- Start now to journal one thing a day you love about your mom. Simply purchase a clean blank journal and begin on page 1 by dating the page. Then write a sentence or two about something you love about your mom. Continue the next day and the next, dating each page. After you've done this, filling the last page with a very special Mother's Day message will come naturally after all this practice. You might want to consider including a few snapshots of the two of you over the years. Give her the journal on Mother's Day and it's guaranteed to become a precious keepsake for your mom over the years!
Picnic with your mom- Pack a picnic with your mom's favorite foods. Try chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, fresh berries or melon, chips or veggies and dip, pasta salad, wine, or any of your mom's favorites. Pick her up in your car (or on bikes if she's game) and celebrate her at a beautiful spot of your choosing. It could be along the banks of Mobile Bay, at a local park, or any peaceful place. Or for a different kind of picnic, a luxurious over-the-top picnic at a place you choose, contact Southern Charm Picnic Company.
Tickets to a performance- Buy tickets to a performance she'll love and enjoy it with her. For an off-the-beaten-track idea, how about traveling to OWA Theater in Foley, AL (about 25 miles from Jubilee Suites) on "Saturday, May 11 at 3 pm for Elvis Remembered, as Shane Tucker brings back the iconic, velvety vocal styling of Elvis Presley. Sing along to timeless classics like 'Love Me Tender' and 'Can’t Help Falling in Love.' From hip-shaking moves to channeling the King’s energy, this matinee performance will make the perfect Mother’s Day treat for the whole family!" (from their website) Or for a more laid-back performance, check out the American Legion Post 199 in Fairhope on May 11 at 4 pm for Fillmore Revival, a talented local rock and blues band. You can't beat the American Legion beach at sunset with a Tiki Bar drink in hand and a good band on their stage. Buy tickets for any of these events and wrap them up in a pretty box with a sweet card. Mom will love it!
Brunch- Moms never get enough of brunch! You could always take Mom to one of our fine dining restaurants in Fairhope. Not all are open on Sundays and not all take reservations, but you can try Sean's Prime Dining, Thyme on Section, Tamara's Downtown, The Fairhope Inn or The Hope Farm. But hurry! This day fills up fast. If you miss out on reservations, why not get together with a friend or two and host a Mother's Day brunch for all your moms at one of your homes. Share the cooking and focus on making delectable food in a party atmosphere for this special day. Be sure to get corsages for each of your moms and if you're a mom, get some for yourselves too. For an extra beautiful touch, greet each mom with a mimosa. After brunch, why not set up a photo booth and take pictures to commemorate the day. If you want to create more one-of-a-kind memories, make it a surprise party!
Chartered boat trip- Since Fairhope is a waterfront town, there are lots of ways to get out on the water to celebrate your mom. Check into a charter sailing trip with Eastern Shore Charter. They show you the area around Fairhope the way it should be shown-- from the water! Everything is provided. All you bring is your snacks and drinks for a 90-minute cruise on their quiet and soothing electric boat named Tootsie. If fishing is more your mom's thing, or you simply want to explore Mobile Bay, we recommend Southern Exposure Inshore Fishing with Captain Chris Tew. He'll take great care of you and you'll most likely come home with fish!
Food walking tour- Jim and I have taken guests on this tour and we all had a great time. Grab a friend or two and celebrate your moms together! The Fairhope Foodie Tour runs every Friday and Saturday at 2pm so you'll want to reserve your date early. This 3 hour tour takes you through 6 Fairhope restaurants, each serving a Fairhope favorite dish. You'll also have a guide providing lots of fun facts about Fairhope and, of course, you'll make new friends. It's an easy walk totalling about a mile since all the stops are right in downtown Fairhope. Reservations are required at their website. If your mom is in average physical shape, she'll love this tour and she'll love you for doing it with her.
Private yoga class- Nothing says "I love you, Mom", like a private yoga session with an experienced yoga teacher. Learn how to clear your mind, relax, stretch, strengthen, focus inward, and stand up a little straighter with a class designed just for you. Set up a private yoga class with a Fairhope teacher and learn poses to ease a sore shoulder, relax your back, and delight both of you for years. Contact us if you'd like names of our favorite teachers, or if you're staying with us, we'll book it for you. To make it even more special, surprise your mom with a new yoga mat or after-class cover up.
Bike together- Go for a long bike ride around Fairhope. If you need bikes, The Fairhope Store rents bikes by the hour or the day. Be sure to spend some time on Mobile Street, especially south of the American Legion where the sidewalks become less crowded. Also make sure to stop at the Fairhope Pier where locals and tourists gather for daily constitutionals, fishing, great people-watching and spectacular sunsets. Maybe even take a picnic. And don't forget to wear your corsages!
If you need lodging in Fairhope to pamper your mom on Mother's Day weekend, we've got your covered at Jubilee Suites. We'd make a wonderful home base for any of these ideas to celebrate your mom. See our website to explore our 9 uniquely beautiful, family-size suites, either 1 or 2 bedrooms. You'll have time to spend with each other visiting, exploring our beautiful grounds, taking a kayak ride on Mobile Bay, perhaps ordering spa services, enjoying the sunset from our west-facing bluff overlooking Mobile Bay, and after a good nights sleep, taking in our gourmet breakfast cooked to order just for you. What are we doing? We'll be going on a picnic right after we serve breakfast to our guests!
Happy Mother's Day!
Dana and Jim Maloney
Featured photo of tulips by David R. Black.