Looking for Mother’s Day gift ideas in Ottawa, Gatineau, and Kanata?
From restaurants, flowers, to spas and hotels, here’s a look at the packages and places that offer the best in Mother’s Day Gifts and Packages. (Please note, this article was written before COVID19 Restrictions. Please call ahead to check with businesses about their updated hours and policies.
But before we dive into those, remember this:
In multiple surveys, women have chosen experiences over gifts as their preferred Mother’s day gift.
Now on to the best Mother’s Day Packages In Ottawa
The Holtz Spa: Mother & Daughter Retreat
A day at the spa, just mom and daughter? That’s a memory that your mother will cherish forever. This luxurious package starts with a Hydrating Spa Facial with fine botanical products, to help you relax and begin your spa day. Next up is an aromatic foot treatment and healing Reiki, for stress relieve, rejuvenation, and pampering.
After the facials and treatment, Rosewood Manis and Pedis over a glass of champagne are next, before a light lunch. Then a wash and blow dry before you leave the spa feeling completely refreshed.
The package costs $590, and is a perfect choice for a Mother/Daughter memory.
The Holtz Spa is Ottawa’s elegant and ultimate downtown escape, on Rideau Street. Holtz works directly with the Chateau Laurier as their official Spa Provider: they offer an incredible and luxurious experience in their 5-Star Spa that is both elegant and tranquil.
Holtz Spa is a Spa Retreat, so on top of offering a full range of Spa Services (facials, massages, manis and pedis).
All of their Manicures and Pedicures focus on total hand care, and are complete with hand/feet massage and exfoliation/moisturizing.
Holtz is one of Ottawa’s most high-end spas. They are right in the Byward Market, just a stone’s throw from the market building, the Canal, the Chateau Laurier, and the Rideau Center.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier High Tea
If your mom loves the finer things, then afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is an ideal experience to accompany any gifts you have.
Afternoon tea takes place in Zoe’s Lounge, a gorgeous and sunny spot, just off of the Fairmont’s lobby, that is just as elegant as it is relaxing.
High tea includes (tea, you guessed it) with a course of finger sandwiches, fresh scones, and decadent sweets.
It’s one of the most elegant Mother’s day gifts Ottawa has in store for your unsuspecting momma.
Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier costs around $52 per person ($62 on holidays and weekends). Seatings for high tea run from 1:00 PM till 3:00 PM, but extended hours run on holidays, so be sure to check their website.
Lastly (and most importantly), this great gift needs to be booked ahead! Especially around Mother’s Day, High Tea will sell out quickly. For recent lockdowns, check out their Mother’s Day takeaway packages!
Custom Chocolate Boxes
If you’re going with for a classic gift, traditional flowers & chocolate, then make it a home run: make it a supreme with a custom chocolate box from Fruit Couture.
Fruit Couture specializes in gorgeous chocolate-covered strawberries, boxed or in a floral tower display, like below, that your mom will adore.
Flowers and chocolate all in one? Amazing.
They also do the super trendy (if your mom loves the Kardashians, then this will be a major hit) smashable chocolate hearts, that even come with a little hammer! Mix & match with your strawberries & roses, and you’ve got a great spin on the classic.
With all three of these options, the key is to book way in advance! You don’t want to be caught at the mercy of last minute gifts.
Here’s some stats on the big day:
- There are over 9.8 Million Mothers in Canada. This number includes biological, adoptive, and step moms! Step moms were included in the StatsCan count first in 2011.
- Ontario has the most moms – over 38.5% of moms live in Ontario!
- Mammamattawa is a real place, and its close to Ottawa! (By about 13 hours…)
- The average mom spends about 421 minutes with their family a day. This is way up from 2005, which saw an average of 374. Interestly enough, today’s average is also higher than the 1986 average, which was 403.
- Only 3.3% of all moms have twins, triplets, or more!. That’s the number of births that result in multiple births within a year in Canada. This is up from the 1993 average, which was 2.1%.
- Canadian parents adopt 2,100 children per year on average, with the majority of adoptive children coming from China.
- 324.3 million is the number of cut flowers that are produced per year in Canada (greenhouses, of course). Most of these flowers are sold on Mother’s Day, not Valentine’s Day, which comes in second worldwide in flower sales to Mother’s Day.
Backed with the numbers, here’s some of the common mistakes people make on Mother’s Day:
Waiting Until Nighttime To Acknowledge The Day
Even if you have an awesome plan or surprise waiting for your Mom after they get off their late-shift, don’t wait until the evening to do something small. Surprise them in the morning, with breakfast (if you live with them), flowers, cards, or even just a call or message. Whatever you do, don’t have your Mother waiting to hear from you all day.
Spending Too Much, With No Sentiment
Mother’s Day isn’t actually about the gifts, though. It’s about the time spent together, and the thought and consideration behind it all.
So avoid the mistake of focusing on those gifts a bit too much. If you spend too much, or focus on the material items, your mom won’t feel that there is thought and genuity behind it. So make sure have some sentimental follow through with any spend, big or small.
Ordering Online, Too Late
Mother’s Day is a major holiday, so you should expect some slow downs with the mail. Don’t wait till the last minute to order your gifts, and if you do, opt for the bird in the hand, not in the bush!
Staying In Your End Of Town
Not a mistake, but hear me out: if you’re in Canada’s Capital, why not enjoy the city like a tourist for Mother’s Day? Take your mom to the Byward Market, take a spin down Preston Street for some Italian Food, or wander through Wellington West. There are so many areas in the city you can explore, with amazing restaurants and accommodations.