It’s hard to repay mom for the lifetime of sacrifices she’s made, but that won’t stop us from trying. For all those years spent sprinkling chocolate chips in pancakes, cutting off crusts , and getting to early morning soccer practices on time, she’s earned a day off. Forego the usual gifts and give Mom an experience she will always remember this Mother’s Day. From an afternoon at the theatre to fondue and a massage, here are Heron Agency’s top picks for treating Moms to a wonderful day on Sunday, May 8.
EAT DRINK & RELAX
For the Mom who needs a little extra relaxation:
This year, Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, will treat all moms to a complimentary 5-minute massage and glass of bubbly on Sunday, May 8th. Moms will step away from the table to receive a well-deserved pampering in a secluded relaxing atmosphere with licensed massage therapists from Lincoln Park Massage Spa while they dine. The restaurant will open at 1 p.m. on Mother’s Day. For reservations, call 773.281.9101, or visit on-line at www.gejascafe.com.
For the Mom who insists on taking photos wherever you go:
This Mother’s Day, Chicago’s favorite French-inspired patisserie, Vanille, is celebrating mom with a first-of-its-kind photo contest. From Monday, April 18 to Sunday, May 8, moms and kids of all ages who stop by one of Vanille’s three Chicago locations can snap a photo of themselves enjoying any of Vanille’s artisanal specialties for the chance to win an Afternoon Tea party for ten people inside the luxurious Vanille Salon located at the Lincoln Park location, 2108 N. Clark Street. To enter the Mom, Me & Vanille Photo Contest, guests need to post their photo on Facebook or Instagram using #MomMeVanille. They must also tag Vanille at @VanilleChicago on Instagram or “Vanille Patisserie” on Facebook. The person with the photo that receives the most “likes” will be named the winner. For more information on Vanille, visit www.vanillepatisserie.com or call 773.868.4574.
For the Mother who needs the stress lifted off of her shoulders:
As I’m sure you know, there’s no better gift than the gift of relaxation for a busy mom. This Mother’s Day, Massage Envy’s 44 Chicagoland locations are helping give mom even more of it with a special gift card offer. From Friday, April 15 to Sunday, May 8, purchase $125 in gift cards, and receive a voucher for a FREE 30-minute upgrade plus a FREE Enhanced Therapy. That means mom will get 30 extra minutes of relaxation plus either Aromatherapy, Deep Muscle Therapy or Sugar Foot Scrub Therapy. For more information or to find your nearest location visit www.massageenvy.com.
For the Mom who wants to raise a glass:
If you book a room at the historic Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave hotel, Mom will receive a complimentary glass of wine in the classic hotel bar, Jack’s Place. Just steps from the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and the Theater District, the hotel opened in May 2015, featuring a grand, three-story Art Deco lobby, a 67-seat 1920’s-style cocktail bar, and intricate architectural details throughout the property. Centrally located downtown in the historic Chicago Motor Club building at 68 E. Wacker Place, this makes for the perfect Mother’s Day getaway spot. For more information or to make a reservation, call 312.419.9014 or visit their website.
For the Mother who loves to brunch:
Treat Mom to a delectable Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 8 from 11am – 3pm at Le Meridien OakBrook’s El Tapeo. With both a Bloody Mary + Mimosa bar and a surprise for her on her special day, it is sure to be an afternoon to remember. Mother’s Day Brunch reservations are $49.95 for adults, $24.95 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Book your reservation by calling 630.828.2044. For more information on El Tapeo visit www.eltapeorestaurant.com or call 630.828.2044.
For the Mother who likes to be pampered:
Spoil Mom this year with Fairmont Chicago’s Spa Retreat Package. The Package includes overnight accommodations for two in a Fairmont Guestroom and a $100 credit per room per night to be used in Fairmont’s MySpa for service. Whether you’re traveling to the city or enjoying a staycation, this spa package is sure to leave Mom feeling relaxed and special. For more information on the Spa Retreat Package visit www.fairmont.com/chicago or call 312.565.8000.
For a Mother’s Day retreat in the heart of downtown Chicago:
Located in the heart of the Chicago Loop, Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago offers a location that allows you and mom to get anywhere in Chicago with ease. Minutes from the theater district, Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile shopping, and many other Chicago attractions, this hip and modern hotel is perfect for the Mother who wants to explore the Windy City. For more information, visit theloopchicago.centric.hyatt.com or call 312.236.1234.
For the Mom who wants her cake and to eat it too:
This Mother’s Day Green Bean Restaurant wants to make sure every Mom feels a little extra loved on her special day. The Lincoln Park restaurant that redefines delicious fast food with non-traditional, quick, healthy choices is allowing sweets for Mother’s Day and is giving away a free cake pop with any meal purchase. Green Bean is open breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers an array of healthy alternatives to the typical fast food choices. For more information visit www.greenbeanrestaurant.com or call 773.661.2465.
ENTERTAINMENT
For the Mom who loves the Broadway classics:
This year for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8, treat Mom to an afternoon of her favorite Broadway classics performed by Chicago’s oldest musical organization, the iconic Apollo Chorus of Chicago. The performance of Apollo on Broadway will feature beloved arrangements from Gershwin, Rodgers, Porter, Bernstein, and Sondheim. These sophisticated arrangements will bring new interpretations to beautiful Broadway melodies in Apollo’s first-ever salute to the stage. Apollo on Broadway performs these Broadway classics for the first time ever Friday, May 6, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, and Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park. To purchase tickets call 312.427.5620 or visit www.apollochorus.org.
For the Mother who wants to sing along:
With its continuing success both nationwide and here in Chicago, the smash hit Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin is extending its return to the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St. Chicago, until Sunday, May 8, 2016. This smash hit brings the man behind the iconic music to life in an evening reflecting his remarkable journey from child immigrant to America’s most beloved and prolific songwriter. From Tin Pan Alley to Carnegie Hall, from The Great White Way to The Silver Screen, and from the pop charts to the steps of the nation’s capital, Berlin’s music provided America with the soundtrack of a century. Berlin’s catalogue includes over 1,500 songs, 18 Broadway shows, 16 feature films, 232 top 10 hits and 10 #1 hits. For show times or to purchase tickets call 312.988.9000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
For the Mom who can’t get enough of live theater:
This Mother’s Day The Marriott Theatre is offering two performances of the passionate and powerful rock opera, Evita, at both 1p.m. and 5p.m. Evita is the winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Mother’s with younger children can also enjoy a morning at the theater with the final performance of the Theater for Young Audience’s silly and magical production of Cinderella…After the Ball at 10a.m. To reserve tickets call The Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com.
For those looking for a Mother’s Day show:
For Mother’s Day this year, Stage 773’s LIVINGroom presents: Throwback: Stories our Moms Love, on May 8 at 8pm. The promising highly-theatrical storytelling, inspired by actual events, is sure to keep mom engaged. The LIVINGroom’s best stories told over the years about love, dreams and family include an extremely “entrepreneurial” 6th grader, a tearful trip to grandma’s, a transformation into a rock star, and more. The LIVINGroom is a conversation, blending true life with theatre to connect experiences, stories, and people. Tickets are $10. For more information visit http://stage773.com/Show?id=273 or call 773.327.5252.
NON-TRADITIONAL GIFTS
For the Mother who wants to breathe easy this year:
What better way to celebrate Mom than to ensure her home is safe and healthy? EZ Breathe is the innovative whole-house ventilation system that removes moisture, pollutants and odors which improves overall home air quality and occupant health. Bringing the freshness of healthy air into even the most damp, musty spaces, EZ Breathe is the perfect gift for the Mom who is tired of struggling with the typical dehumidifier and is looking for a solution to improve air quality in her home. For more information visit www.ezbreathe.com or call 866.822.7328.
For the Mom who always has her nose in a book:
This Mother’s Day make a donation in your Mother’s name to the American Writers Museum, the first museum of its kind in the United States, opening in downtown Chicago in March 2017. Located at 180 North Michigan Avenue, this museum will engage the public in celebrating American writers, and exploring their influence on our history, identify, culture, and daily lives. The interactive high-tech museum will showcase the personal stories and literary works of diverse American writers, from Mark Twain to Dr. Suess. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.americanwritersmuseum.org.
