Mother’s Day in Quarantine
Special activities and homemade presents to show Mom your love.
One thing is certain, this Mother’s Day will stand out from all others for its at-home aspect and making do with what’s readily at hand or easily pre-ordered and delivered.
From our team of Moms, here’s a list for you and your family to plan and gift this May 10. Check out our suggested picks of local wine and cheese shops, caterers, decorations, and more below.
Breakfast in Bed
A perennial favorite, this doesn’t have to be elaborate, just a dish the kids can comfortably make on their own. The kids can help by purchasing English muffins and jam – or blueberry muffin mix ingredients – in advance. Ensure proper kitchen supervision on the toasting or baking. The kids can decorate Mom’s tray with artwork or flowers and help carry it to the bedroom.
Here are 6 easy, mess-free recipes to make for Mom on Mother’s Day!
Cards & Photo Albums
A winner every year – regardless of quarantine! Encourage the kids to make cards for all the special ladies in their lives – moms, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers – with construction paper, crayons, glitter and glue, stickers…whatever is on hand. Add printed photos for added smiles.
Don’t have photo paper? Upload your pix to Walgreen’s for printing to make your own memory albums. Or let them make albums from a variety of designs found on their website, with free same day pickup.
Handmade Gift Certificates
Here’s an artful way for the kids to pay it forward to Mom. “Gift” ideas include “Good for one week of kitchen cleanup,” “Free Wash the Dog,” “Good for one week of laundry,” “Pick up my toys with no whining.” Make these on index cards, decorated with pictures cut out of a magazine of that chore, or with hand drawn hearts and flowers. The ideas are endless!
Irma Thomas Concert Picnic
For 30 years, New Orleanians have headed to the Audubon Zoo for Irma Thomas’ annual Mother’s Day concert. This year create your own concert with an Irma playlist or radio channel on Spotify or Pandora. Spread out a blanket in the backyard – or find a grassy spot in Audubon Park – and you’re there in the front row!
Tea Party
Throw Mom a surprise tea party styled after the ones in the fancy downtown hotels!
Cut the crusts off your bread and pair with sliced cucumber and mayonnaise or cream cheese and sliced strawberries. Follow sandwiches with homemade or store bought cookies and scones. Serve it with brewed herbal tea and top it off with cold sparkling cider.
Put on party dresses, hats, and gloves (along with some New Orleans Jazz music in the background) to make the day extra special and unforgettable.
Looking for more ideas to make your Mother’s Day tea party a little “extra”? Check out these ideas!
Wine and More
Give Mom the gift of wine! Across the city there are knowledgeable wine and specialty store teams ready to help you curate an assortment of wine, cheese, pâté, crackers, and salami for your Mother’s Day picnic in the backyard, at a park, or along Bayou St. John. Some local wine delivery options are: Brady’s Wine Warehouse, Vieux Carre Wine & Spirits, and Martin Wine Cellar & Spirits. Also, check out Swirl Wine Market — not only do they offer delivery service (within a 3-mile radius of their store and curbside pick-up), you can call to discuss what Mom likes best and they will help you choose the perfect bottle for her.
Most stores are offering delivery or curbside pickup with advance orders. Your local grocery also is a good resource for picnic goods and desserts of all types. Stores offering delivery service are: Rouses Market, Robert’s Fresh Market, and Whole Foods Market.
Gourmet Meal Delivered
Mom can’t cook on her special day…but there are many terrific caterers who can! Instead of flipping the coin to see who’ll cook this year, local favorites have you covered with gourmet small bites & appetizers, salads, and all manner of main dishes ranging from crab cakes, shrimp & grits, to cookies and desserts.
Whether mom is in the mood for coffee and donuts or pasta and steak, we’ve put together a list of Greater New Orleans area restaurants that are open for delivery. Click on the locations below to see what’s open in your neck of the woods.
Note: Details are likely to change; check websites for updated delivery options and times.
Catering Options
Joel Catering
504.827.2400; joels.com; katie@joels.com
Their current menu is featuring Jazz Fest specials such as crawfish pasta with garlic bread, cochon de lait po-boy “kit,” crawfish bread, and other bites like a pimento cheese with croutons that Mom would love to dip into.
Pigeon Catering
504.262.0412; pigeoncaterers.com
This local favorite has you covered with on-line ordering of their gourmet items, including small bites & appetizers, salads, crab cakes, shrimp & grits, desserts, and more. Free delivery on Saturday, May 9, with all items delivered cold with reheating instructions.
Plant an Herb or Veggie Garden
There’s still time to get your herbs and vegetables into the ground for summer harvest. You can either plant directly into the ground or a raised bed. Pick up rooted plants or seeds, a watering can or hose from your local garden center or hardware store, and then spend Mother’s Day making a special garden together, complete with artsy signs for each plant.
Looking for the perfect flower or plant for mom? Here are a few places to check out!
Northshore: O’Keefe’s Feed & Seed or The Garden Spot of Mandeville
Southshore: Banting Nursery, The Plant Gallery, or Urban Roots Garden Center
Westbank: Yazsiiel’s Mini Nursery & Produce or Rose Garden and Pet Store
Decorate Gardening Pots 
Going the garden route but no yard? Get different sized terracotta flowerpots and have the kids decorate them with glitter pens, Mardi Gras beads, markers, or sequins. Fill with potting soil and then plant herbs, small flowering plants, or seeds. Basil and zinnias are good choices for these, and a kitchen windowsill can hold even a small pot. Make extras to gift grandmothers, aunts, and godmothers.
Bike Ride and Decorate Mom’s Bike
Suggest a bike ride and while Mom is getting ready, decorate her bike and helmet with party decorations. Items to use include flowers, balloons, Mardi Gras beads, and crepe paper.
Have the kids custom make a special “World’s Greatest Mom” sign for her handlebars or basket that can be framed later for the kitchen or her home office.