Mother’s Day is just around the corner—Sunday, May 11—and it can be hard to find the perfect way to honor the mothers and mother figures in our lives. But don’t panic! Here are some easy and/or extravagant ways to honor mothers near and far.
Afternoon tea at the Brown Palace Hotel
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa downtown is famous for its daily afternoon tea. This option is a little on the pricey side (about $30-$50 per person), but it is definitely worth it. Along with the tea, delicious sandwiches, decadent sweets and divine scones are served. Live piano in the majestic lobby adds to an all-round fancy, regal vibe. Spots are generally full this close to the holiday, but it will be just as special any day of the week. For moms out of town, pick out her favorite tea from the gift shop and send it to her with a couple of souvenirs.
Run the Denver Mother’s Day 5K
For those more athletically inclined, this holiday would be the perfect opportunity for a family workout. The Mother’s Day 5K is an annual event at Denver City Park. Participants can run, walk or crawl; there is even a children’s race for runners under 12. A portion of the registration fees ($35 a person, or $115 for the whole family) go to HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation, which works to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. There are only 2000 spots, so register soon.
Go for a hike
If the 5K sounds a little too expensive, a cheaper option would be to go on a hike or walk around town. Take her on a Mile High adventure; Denver is a fit city, and there is always somewhere to be active. There are beautiful spots in nearby Golden or Castle Rock. Red Rocks Park in Morrison is gorgeous any time of year. For the moms back home, do the hike in her honor and take fridge-worthy pictures she’ll love. Chat with her on the phone along the way and still get that quality time.
Take her shopping
Cherry Creek Mall, Park Meadows Mall or the 16th Street Mall are the most accessible places to find wallet-friendly deals on Mother’s Day. Even if it is just window-shopping, the mall is an ideal place to hang out, chat and try on silly and stylish clothes together. And for those still struggling to find the perfect gift, pick out a gift for her together. For a less “mainstream” shopping experience, check out Antique Row on South Broadway or the eclectic shops on South Pearl. Online shopping is also a treat; pick out a gift on Amazon or Etsy and send it home to her.
Get artsy
Another way to spend Mother’s Day is soaking up some of Denver’s rich art culture. This city has a plethora of art galleries, museums and performing art centers. The Art District on Santa Fe is always exciting place to explore—check their website for hours first, since some galleries are not open on Sundays. There is also the Golden Triangle Museum District downtown, home to the Denver Art Museum and the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art. There is also the Denver Botanic Gardens, a popular venue for Mother’s Day celebrations. If the budget allows for a splurge, go the Denver Performing Arts Complex to see Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House or “Once,” the Tony-Award winning musical, at the Buell Theatre.
Send her a care package
Many of us might be far away from our mothers on the holiday, but there are still ways to celebrate from afar. Put together a care package: Write her a handwritten letter, fill a box with all of her favorite things, send her DU swag and even just pictures of day-to-day life. Maybe she has sent her share of care packages over the years, so now is the perfect time to return the gesture. For the artsy folk, make her something special or write her a poem, a story or a funny note. For the artistically challenged, log on to YouTube or Pinterest for ideas of fun and easy-to-make gifts and trinkets.
Mother’s Day is a special day to honor very special people. Mother figures come in many forms: They can be biological, adopted or foster.They may be our siblings, our friends, our coaches, our teachers, our extended family members or our spiritual guides.
Take her for a hike, let her get her fancy on at the Brown Palace, have a stroll around a museum, send that care package—in the end, it does not matter how we choose to celebrate; it only matters that we take the time and love to do so.
