8 Ways to Spoil Mom This Year

Mother's Day is May 13. Here are a few gift ideas to celebrate all the moms in your life...

1. Grounds for a great day: Sculpture in the park

Courtesy of Grounds for Sculpture

A perennial favorite, Grounds for Sculpture is a terrific place to spend the day. The ever-evolving art work and beautiful landscape keep this Jersey gem fresh no matter how many times you visit. Tickets on Mother’s Day are $20, and available for purchase online only (children under 5 are free). 80 Sculpture Way, Hamilton; 609-586-0616.

2. Eau de Mom: How sweet she is

Gift mom the Mediterranean Honeysuckle collection, a fine spring scent form Aerin. The set comes with perfume spray, body cream and a handy roller ball for easy travel. Notes are honeysuckle, grapefruit, Italian bergamot, mandarin oil, lily of the valley, gardenia and jasmine; $140 at nordstrom.com.

3. See a show: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is at NJPAC

This eclectic dance troupe always has something new in the offing and never fails to please! This Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-May 13), three different shows will be presented. Friday night is Ailey Jazz, a soulful dance performance to the music of John Coltrane, Nina Simone and Duke Ellington. On Saturday, Musical Inspirations brings an eclectic, high-energy show that will feature sounds from 1970s icons Earth, Wind and Fire, Grover Washington, Jr. and others. On Mother’s Day, Celebrate Women is the ensemble’s theme. Each performance will include the troupe’s signature dance Revelations. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark; 888-466-5722.

4. Top This: A great blouse to wear all season long

This floral blouse is the perfect wardrobe refresh. The bright design is comfortable, loose fitting and features wide, double-ruffle sleeves and a simple scoop neckline; $17.99 at H&M.

5. Help her chill out—maybe

No one knows multi-tasking like a mother! If only relaxation came in a bottle—oh, wait, maybe it does. Enter 21 Drops. Offered in handy roller-ball packaging, these 100-percent organic, essential-oil blends are designed to target specific issues: Strength is designed to rally your inner constitution; the Equalize blend is formulated to stabilize moodiness, and Passion is composed to light a fire on your desire. Whether you believe in the therapeutic value of essential oils, or not, the scents smell divine and, hey, you never know; $33 each.

6. Don’t forget the jewels

The jewelry collection at Great House Bonny Neiman in Summit is a little bit funky and a whole lot of fun.

At 10th Muse in Maplewood, hand-crafted artisan jewels are plentiful. There’s always something new and, if you fall in love but aren’t quite ready, add items to your Wish List—the store will e-mail your list to anyone you name. It’s the perfect nudge, just in time for holidays, anniversaries or birthdays.

Courtesy of Tenth Muse Gallery

7. Decorate her world

Courtesy of The Peanut Gallery

A piece of art is a gift that will be enjoyed for years to come. Let the curators of The Peanut Gallery in Summit help you make the right choice. This longtime showcase specializes in mid-century modern and contemporary works. 338 Springfield Avenue, Summit; 973-570-3991.

8. Pamper her

Mom will be delighted to slip into these quilted, silk slippers from One Kings Lane; $65.

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