They say that you can choose your friends but not your family...well in regards to parents I got pretty damn lucky. My Mom's an olde school Jewish Mom and all that implies. However, as I have found in life...everything is a double-aged sword. You see why on the one hand she is not the woman who has everything...she is also the woman who doesn't really want for anything. This translates to when it comes to gift-giving events when I ask what she would like she inevitably responds "whatever you get me I 'll be happy with...you always get me such nice gifts" (my Father on the other-hand...would state exactly what he wanted and in some cases would buy the item and hand me a receipt...I guess there something to opposites attract). Sounds great right...just get her whatever...but I freely admit I'm a Momma's-boy (thought definitely my Fathers Son as well) which translates to...the pressure is on! What am I going to get her this time?!?
Now the key here is to know your audience. What does your Mom like, her interests, hobbies (again my Dad...thousands...my Mom none). Next is the Mom in question, is it your Mom, your wife's, your wife, her mom, grandmother etc... I break the gifts down into beauty products/perfume/creams/Spa (don't worry guys a metro-sexual guys guide to product is forth-coming), clothing, bags(what's wit the never ending need for bags and purses?), and of course Chocolate. Again if you have to shop...enjoy Soho while your at it...
Let's start with what beauty products...more or less the no-brainer Mothers Day gift...you can hit Bloomingdales for Jo Malone's perfumes and creme's (my neice who is 7 thinks this stuff smells really nice), Kiehl's dept(great for travel related products as well as daily use) and the Space.NK.apothecary dept. Good luck if you want to try your luck in their huge clothing department. For high end scrubs, soaps, cremes for the "Green" Mom hit LUSH, Molton Brown for soaps and candles and you can't go wrong with stuff from Fresh's Sugar or Sake lines. For a day at the Spa check out Great Jones Day Spa (they have a "Water-Lounge"...hot tub, sauna, eucalyptus sauna, cold plunge pool, chairs and lounge chairs) or Bliss (also have their own product line).
For clothing you have plenty of usual suspects...everything from A.P.C.(basics with a high-end French twist) to Zara (International flair or so an ex used to say). For sweaters and "tops" you have James Perse, Lacoste, Polo and Vince. I recently picked up my Mom stuff at Icebreaker...sounds crazy since she doesn't exactly ski or hike but their clothing is high end Merino wool... can a girl of any age ever have enough sweaters? Across the street Patagonia for pullovers, sweaters and rain-jackets (also good for bags for the beach or carry-on the plane) as well to keep her cozy and dry.
Why and how companies can charge the same for canvas and nylon as they do for leather is beyond my comprehension. However...Mom's like their bags, purses, grandma wallets...etc so you have your standard bearer Coach for the above mentioned goods, Kate Spade for a little more flair and if you really want to step up due to your big commission check, bonus, tax-refund go crazy at Mulberry or Chanel (also great for it's perfume lines).
Everyone...well almost everyone loves chocolate. You can't go wrong for truffle's, bars, chocolate covered fruits etc at any of these...Jaques Torres(truffles, chocolate covered cherries and mixes to make w/for grand-kids) , Mariebelle (truffles w/illustrations on them, Fruit Bars), Kee's (from blood orange to lemongrass to saffron flavored truffles and macaroons) or Vognes (Exotic flavored truffles made with flowers, herbs, spices, fruits, champagne etc, awesome bars and mixes for baking).
In closing...please keep in mind your siblings and other assorted famlily members will be trying to score points this day with Mom. Rise to the occasion...this is your time to shine by crushing your competition while making Mom happy and feeling special! Go forth and shop...Oh... if brunch for Mom is in the plans check out my article http://newyork.nearsay.com/nyc/soho-tribeca/restaurants-best-brunch-dos-caminos-boqueria-aurora-cupping-room-jane-novocento-angelika-steve-roberts
A.P.C. is located at 131 Mercer Street
Bloomingdale's Soho is located at 504 Broadway
Chanel is located at 139 Spring Street
Coach is located at 445 West Broadway
Fresh is located at 57 Spring Street
Jacques Torres is located at 350 Hudson Street
James Perse is located at 60 Mercer Street
Kate Spade is located at 454 Broome Street
Kee's Chocolate is located at 80 Thompson Street
LUSH is located at 529 Broadway
Marie Belle is located at 484 Broome Street
Molton Brown is located at 128 Spring Street
Mulberry is located at 387 Bleecker Street
Polo is located at 379 West Broadway
Vince is located at 16 Prince Street
Vosges is located at 132 Spring Street
Zara is located at 580 Broadway
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