Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching, which means the last thing you want to do is wait until the last minute to shop for your very deserving mama. At ShoreBread, we like to think that our local moms get special treatment all year long, but if you’ve been dropping the ball lately, now is your chance to step your game up and do something extra special. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, which will be here before you know it. We decided to help our readers find some Mother’s Day inspiration with a list of our top ten local Mother’s Day gifts for 2016. Whatever you decide to do for your mom, mother of your children, step-mom, grandmother, or godmother this year, make sure it’s special, thoughtful, and full of all the love that she deserves!

Kokkinos Creative Jewelers 

11805-H Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD

kokkinoscreations.com

410-723-1458

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so it stands to reason that you can’t go wrong with some serious bling this year for your mom (or for the mother of your children). Kokkinos is a full service jeweler in Ocean City, offering a wide range of fine jewelry and custom designs. Owner John Kokkinos maintains bragging rights as the only J.A. Certified Master Bench Jeweler in Maryland, so suffice it to say, you’re in safe hands at Kokkinos. Bracelets, pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, watches…stop by the store, shop online, or commission a custom piece.

Liquid Assets

9301 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 

www.la94.com

410-524-7037

Treating mom to a night out on the town is a terrific option (stay tuned for our roundup on Mother’s Day dining options), but how about trying something different this year with Liquid Assets’ on-site catering service, L.A. on Location. Let the experts do all the work this Mother’s Day while the special mom in your life gets to enjoy a fantastic meal in the comfort of home. Better yet, there’s no clean up – the L.A. on Location crew handles everything. Learn more about L.A. on Location by clicking here.

Plak That

12636 Sunset Avenue, Suite H6, West Ocean City, MD

www.plakthat.com

Plak That is our go-to gift for all occasions, after all it’s a handmade product created right here in West Ocean City. The best part is it’s quick and easy to create a wood print online in just a few clicks. It’s a truly unique way to preserve your family’s precious moments for your mom to enjoy for years to come. What’s more, you don’t need to worry about framing or purchasing hardware accessories for hanging. It’s an easy, yet incredibly thoughtful gift…especially for the mamas that love sustainable, local goods.

Quality Time at a Local Park or Zoo

If you’re on a tight budget this year or find yourself shopping for the mom that already has it all, you can also get creative by giving your mom the gift of quality time with her loved ones. This is the perfect gift for those of you (guilty as accused over here) who haven’t set aside enough quality time lately to spend with mom. Plan a fun adventure at one of our local parks like Assateague Island, Trap Pond State Park, Pemberton Historical Park, or Cape Henlopen State park. Or how about a trip to the Salisbury Zoo!? Our recent adventure at our local zoo served as an excellent reminder that the zoo is fun for ALL ages.

Flowers

Alright, so this one is the obvious choice, but who doesn’t love receiving fresh flowers?! If you plan on giving your mama a bouquet or artful flower arrangement this year, we suggest supporting local by choosing a local florist. In West Ocean City, there’s Little Miss Lovely or Flowers by Alison, in Berlin stop by Bleached Butterfly, or if you’re in the Salisbury area, opt for Kitty’s Flowers, who has been serving the Eastern Shore since 1950. For Delaware deliveries, think Flowers by Mayumi in Lewes, Bethany Florist, or Bayberry Flowers in Rehoboth Beach.

Sweet Treats

For the mama with a sweet tooth, head to Sweet Disposition Dessert Co. Cannoli’s, cheesecake, cupcakes, cakes, cookies, pies…you’re sure to find a few sweet treats for mom here this Mother’s Day. Or pop by Baked in Berlin for a wide array of all-natural baked goods, including their signature peach dumplings, croclairs, or cupcake bread pudding.

Staycation at a Local Hotel

Because sometimes, moms just need a night away! Sure it would be nice to pack up mom and send her on a cruise or to an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, but if you’re working with a tighter budget, why not opt for a surprise staycation at one our area hotel’s so your mom or children’s mother can enjoy some hard earned alone time to relax and unwind. Whether you’re treating her to a stay at the Hyatt Resort in Cambridge, the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth, Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, or at any of our Ocean City oceanfront hotels, she’ll enjoy the R&R.

Wine, Libations, and Craft Brews

For the craft beer connoisseur, you can always grab a growler or some swag from any of our local breweries, including Burley Oak in Berlin, Backshore Brewing in Ocean City, or Rubber Soul in Salisbury. For a good bottle of wine or mom’s favorite bottle of liquor, head to the West O Bottle Shop, or consider stocking up on Seacrets handcrafted liquors (we suggest the blood orange vodka).

Paddleboard or Kayak Adventure

By May 8, we are hoping warm weather will be here to stay, which means it’s the ideal time to get outside and enjoy an adventure with mom. Hiking our local parks is an excellent option, but how about stepping it up a notch with a paddleboard or kayak adventure. Ayers Creek Adventures, Walk on Water, and Assateague Outfitters all provide excellent rental and eco-tour options.

A Day at the Spa

Pamper and treat your mama right this year with a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, or hair care. A Perfect Face offers all of that and then some, with options to purchase Gift Cards so she can choose exactly what service she wants to enjoy. Atlantic Retreat is another ShoreBread favorite, offering massages, facials, and waxing in an incredibly relaxing setting. Or shop in the Apothecary at Atlantic Retreat and treat mom to a facial serum, body oil, spritzer, salt, or salve.