The second Mother’s Day of the pandemic happens May 9. Hopefully, more mothers can visit with their children this year. But whether you celebrate Mom in person or not, here are a few gift ideas you can send her way from local businesses.
Decadent sweets from Neat Neat Neat
Gift shop Neat Neat Neat has candy you won’t find everywhere, like duck fat caramels and cinnamon chili chocolates from Nashville’s Olive and Sinclair. Vegans will appreciate Brooklyn-based Fine and Raw’s espresso/cashew butter chocolates. They range from $8 to $22. The shop carries cards, plants and many other items sure to knock Mom’s socks off. It’s also a facial salon, so pampering your mom is an option. Open Monday-Tuesday by appointment, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. 689 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-755-7327. neatstpete.com.
Jewelry by Project Moment Designs
Project Moment Designs is a Tampa-based jewelry business owned by a mother and daughter, so giving a piece from their Mother, Daughter collection feels appropriate. It includes a hand-stamped “Mom” necklace ($107), a heart-shaped necklace ($144) and a pastel rainbow bracelet ($76). A special Mama’s Day Bundle includes all three ($280). One percent of proceeds are donated to the InHerShoes Movement to “catalyze courage for women and girls across the globe.” projectmomentdesigns.com.
Fun projects from The Goods
Jigsaw puzzles made a huge comeback during the pandemic, so much so that manufacturers struggled to keep up with demand, resulting in a global shortage. That makes Tampa store The Goods’ vintage-inspired 1,000-piece puzzles with botanical illustrations even more special ($19).
Let Mom grow
Gardening has been another popular pandemic pastime. In lieu of flowers, give Mom an Organic Grow Kit from Urban Agriculture. Each kit contains organic soil and organic seeds and is available in rosemary, lavender and sunflower ($16.95).
Both are available at The Goods. The store offers socially-distant shopping and curbside pickup options. 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 6500 N Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-374-0305.
Art from Syd Entel Galleries
If Mom loves original, handmade art and jewelry, visit Syd Entel Galleries and Susan Benjamin Glass in Safety Harbor. This ceramic teapot depicting Frida Kahlo by Noi Volkov ($1,500) makes a luxurious gift. More ideas are blown-glass paperweights ($42), elegant yet fun animal-head salt and pepper sets ($50) and hand-blown wine glasses ($80). 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 247 Main St., Safety Harbor. 727-725-1808. sydentelgalleries.com.
Art class at the Dunedin Fine Art Center
An art class is the gift that keeps on giving. Whether you choose a single workshop or a full session of classes, Mom can paint, make ceramics, learn digital arts or food art and more at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. The first summer session runs June 7-July 18. Prices vary. The center has taken extensive health and social distancing measures. dfac.org.