From Judy Hedding,
Your Guide to Phoenix.
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Mother's Day is May 11, 2008. Whether your mother is just down the street, or thousands of miles away, don't miss this opportunity to let her know how much you appreciate everything she's done for you. In the Phoenix area, there are plenty of ways that you can let your mother know that she is special. With the ideas outlined for you here, it shouldn't take much planning, or even a lot of effort.

Ten Stores For Chocolate Lovers

If your mother is like my mother, a gift of chocolate is always welcome! Here are ten places in the Phoenix area where you can satisfy your Mom's chocolate craving with a special Mother's Day gift.

A Special Meal For Mom: Mother's Day Brunch

If you are planning to take your mother out for a Mother's Day Brunch, I recommend that you call and make reservations. Mother's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants, and you wouldn't want to disappoint her and get turned away without a reservation.

If brunch is too much food, or too crowded, you might want to consider taking Mom out to dinner. A few days before or a few days after Mother's Day would work, too. You can find some good bargains on fine restaurants through Restaurants.com (Buy Direct). There are no handling fees or shipping fees for these certificates--you can print them right from your computer. Be careful, however, to note restrictions. Many of these coupons require a minimum expenditure, and that amount usually doesn't include items like tax, tip and alcohol. Still looking for other restaurant ideas? Check here for a wide variety of restaurant listings and reviews.

If you are looking to make a huge impact, how about housecleaning for a year? A chocolate workshop party for Mom and her friend? A personal trainer who comes to her house? A day driving a NASCAR stock car? Find these unusual gifts and more at Great American Days (Buy Direct).

Special Events With Mom

Get Mom out of the house for Mother's Day! There are still plenty of things to do in May before it gets very hot. A nice evening away from chores or work could be the most thoughtful thing you can do for Mom. Check the May calendar for festivals, community events, evening art walks, concerts in parks, and more. In 2008, you might want to consider one of these activities:

• If you have a Mom who loves art, take her to Phoenix art Museum for their special exhibit, Passport to Europe: Six Centuries of Treasures from Museo de Arte de Ponce. It's the first time this exhibit will be shown in North America!
• If your Mom loves nature, the Desert Botanical Garden Butterfly Exhibit will be open through Mother's Day.
• The Desert Botanical Garden loves moms, and each year they have a special concert on Mother's Day.
• At the Mesa Arts Center the Mesa Symphony Orchestra offers a Celebrating Mother's Day performance on May 10 at the Ikeda Theater.
• On May 10 and 11, 2008 crafty jewelry moms will enjoy a two-day workshop on gold smithing at the Mesa Arts Center.
• On Mother's Day, May 11, 2008, treat mom to a wild Mother’s Day at the Phoenix Zoo. One free mom admission with one paid child admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bashas’ will offer complimentary continental breakfast in the Stone House Pavilion. Buffet opens at 9 a.m., however, quantities are limited so come early. Moms will also receive a flower while supplies last. Phoenix Zoo map.
• Take Mom to the symphony. On May 10, 2008 guest conductor Loras John Schissel will lead the Phoenix Symphony orchestra in a special tribute to the music of John Williams.

Take Mom to a Concert or Show

Does Mom like Avril Lavigne? Alicia Keys? Hot Tuna? Would she enjoy a play? Check out the concert and show schedule for May. If an exhibit or special event is really your focus, you might also take a look at Showup.com, where you can find discount tickets in the Valley of the Sun relating to theatre, music, dance, visual arts, museums, and more.

Shopping for Mother's Day: Gifts For Arizona Moms

Your Mom may live in Arizona, full time or part time, or maybe she just loves to visit the desert. Whether she's an indoor Mom, an outdoor Mom, a stylish Mom, a studious Mom, or a sports fan Mom, these gift ideas will help.

Send Mom To the Spa For Mother's Day

But just for a few hours. Day spas all offer gift certificates, so you can give Mom the gift of relaxation and beauty. You have your choice: luxury spas at some of our wonderful resorts, or a more affordable experience at a local day spa--either will be very much appreciated.

Send Mom Away For Mother's Day

But just for a day or two, to a luxury resort. You don't have to get on an airplane to take advantage of some of the best resorts in the country, because many of them are right in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. There are many special summer rates for packages at our resorts--for couples, mothers and daughters, and families.

Last Minute Gifts For Mom

If you've waited until the last minute, and flowers aren't just quite enough for you to show your appreciation for what Mom does for you, try one of these last-minute gifts to go along with those flowers.

Did You Mention Flowers?

Everyone knows how to order flowers for delivery--get your order in early for Mother's Day (Buy Direct). If you have waited until the last minute, you'll be happy to know that all our grocery stores sell flowers. So does Wal-Mart! My favorite store to buy stem flowers? Trader Joe's. Want more? Mother's Day greetings, quotations, decorating, Mother's Day recipes, history of Mother's Day, serving breakfast in bed, and a myriad of other Mother's Day topics, visit the About.com Guide to Mother's Day.

I love you, Mom!