Looking for ways to celebrate mom this Mother’s Day or searching for the perfect gift? Check out the Recorder’s guide to Mother’s Day events and gifts! Brunch is always a popular option when it comes to Mother’s Day, but if your mother enjoys being pampered, consider going to a local spa. Does Mom enjoy shopping? Head out to a trunk show or the Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club fashion show for a day of shopping together. Whatever you choose, moms can take advantage of special promotions for Mother’s Day weekend and Mother’s Day May 8.
Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens will host a Mother’s Day Brunch in the zoo’s Samburu Room May 8. There will be two seatings for the buffet-style brunch, one at 10 a.m. and one at 11 a.m. There will also be crafts and animal encounters. The cost for zoo members is $24.95 per adult and $9.95 per child; the cost for non-members is $28.95 per adult and $12.95 per child (price does not include zoo admission). For more information, call (904) 757-4463 ext. 200. Register online at www.jacksonvillezoo.org.
The zoo will also offer a Mother’s Day admission special: buy one child or adult ticket and get one adult or senior general admission ticket for free on Sunday May 8. Coupons can be downloaded and printed on the zoo’s website at www.jacksonvillezoo.org or present coupon on your phone or tablet.
Mother’s Day weekend June Jacobs event at One Ocean Resort & Spa
Receive a full size product and samples when you book a June Jacobs treatment at One Ocean Spa during Mother’s Day weekend. One Ocean Resort & Spa is located at 1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach. Spa hours are Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information or for bookings, call (904) 249-7402 or visit www.oneoceanresort.com/spa.
Drema Farmer Jewelry Trunk Show
Linda Cunningham will host a Drema Farmer Jewelry Trunk Show through April 30. Drema Farmer Jewelry is a Jacksonville-based independent jewelry designer; each piece is handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry designs. Linda Cunningham boutique is located at 1049 Kings Ave., Jacksonville. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (904) 399-4864 or visit www.lindacunningham.com.
Sbraga & Company
Moms enjoy half-price bottomless mimosas May 8 for Mother’s Day brunch, which will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Made with fresh squeezed orange juice, the mimosas typically cost $15 per person but will be discounted to $7.50 for all mothers who dine in the restaurant for Sunday brunch. Want to take mom out to dinner instead? The restaurant will also be open for Mother’s Day dinner service. Sbraga & Company is located at 220 Riverside Ave., Suite 114. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made over the phone by calling (904) 746-0909 or by visiting www.sbragadining.com/sbragaandcompany or via OpenTable.
Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club fashion show
The Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club will host the “Dance in Style” Fashion Show on Saturday May 7 at the Sawgrass Country Club, 10034 Golf Club Drive, Ponte Vedra. Celebrate mom one day early and help raise funds for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind at the same time. The fashion show and shopping event will include raffles, a silent auction, entertainment and a luncheon at 12:15 p.m. consisting of chicken marsala, salad, mashed potatoes, asparagus and chocolate lava cake. There will also be a cash bar. The cost is $50 per person; advanced sales only. Table reservations are available. Doors open at 10 a.m. for boutique shopping. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.pontevedrawomansclub.com.
Annette Görtz trunk show
Marcia’s Place will hold an Annette Görtz trunk show April 28-30. Marcia’s Place is located in the Sawgrass Village Shopping Center at 200 Front St., Suite 620. For more information, call (904) 280-9212 or visit www.marciasplacepontevedra.com.
Vernon’s Restaurant Mother’s Day buffet
Vernon’s Restaurant at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa will hold a Mother’s Day buffet on Sunday May 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The southern gourmet-inspired unlimited-helpings menu will include salads, fresh seasonal fruit and berries, soups, salads, artisanal bread with whipped honey butter, a carving station with prime rib and datil pepper orange marmalade glazed ham, a French toast and bacon bar, and entrees including Florida Red Snapper with fennel tomato broth, Ashley Farms roasted chicken with herb jus and First Coast crab cake benedict, among other offerings, plus Chef Melanie’s sweet treat desserts.
The cost of the buffet is $60 for adults; $24 for children ages 4-12 plus tax and gratuity. The price includes choice of mimosa or champagne for adults. Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is located at 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. For reservations, call (904) 280-3405 or visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaxsw-sawgrass-marriott-golf-resort-and-spa/.
‘Mamma Mia!’
The farewell tour for the musical “Mamma Mia!” will be in town for three shows Mother’s Day weekend, May 6-7 at the Times-Union Center for Performing Arts. Tickets start at $33.50. Purchase tickets by phone at (904) 442-2929 or online at www.fscjartistseries.org.
Adventure Landing
Adventure Landing is offering free admission to Shipwreck Island Waterpark and free miniature golf for mothers on May 8. Moms swim free with the purchase of one full-priced waterpark daily admission. The special is not valid with any other offers, and a coupon is required. Limit one per person. Moms can also test their putting skills for free. Moms play free mini golf with each paying player at regular price. The specials are valid on Sunday May 8 only. Visit www.adventurelanding.com to download the waterpark coupon. Adventure Landing is located at 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. For more information, call (904) 246-4386.
NOLA MOCA Mother’s Day brunch
Visit Café Nola May 8 for a Mother’s Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet options will include salads, pastries, shrimp and grits, Kentucky hot brown, spicy Korean fried chicken and waffles and oysters Rockefeller risotto. Reservations are strongly suggested. Call (904) 224-0113 to make a reservation. The cost is $30 per person, $8 for children younger than 10. NOLA MOCA is located the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA), 333 N. Laura St., Jacksonville. The museum will be open from noon to 5 p.m., so after brunch, you can pop over to the museum for a visit. Museum admission is $8 for adults; $5 for seniors, military and students and children ages 2-12. Children under 2 are admitted free.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier
Make mom’s heart melt with chocolate delicacies from Peterbrooke Chocolatier this Mother’s Day. The neighborhood chocolate shop is offering a special Mother’s Day collection featuring milk chocolate pansies foils, chocolate assortments in a watering can, flower pot, floral canvas tin or pails packaging, and dark chocolate “mother” molds or a milk chocolate “mom” molds. Visit Peterbrooke Chocolatier at the new Ponte Vedra location in the Sawgrass Village shopping center at 333 Village Main St., suite 650. Call (904) 273-7878 or visit www.peterbrooke.com for more information or to place an online order.
Underwood’s Jewelers
Underwood’s Jewelers will host a three-day trunk show featuring the 2016 IPPOLITA spring collection. Representatives from IPPOLITA, which was founded in 1999 by Italian artist and designer Ippolita Rostagno, will be on hand with the Spring 2016 Collection April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Underwood’s of Ponte Vedra, located in The Shoppes of Ponte Vedra at 330 A1A N., Suite 204. A portion of the proceeds from the trunk show will be donated to Angelwood Inc., a nonprofit organization that assists families in caring for children and adults with developmental disabilities. For more information, call (904) 280-1202 or visit www.underwoodjewelers.com.
Underwood’s Jewelers of Ponte Vedra will also host a Dao Fournier trunk show May 5-11. Meet the designers Kimberly and Lucy, and 10 percent of the trunk show proceeds will be donated to PGA Tour wives’ designated children charities.
Village Jeweler Mother’s Day sale
Village Jeweler, located in the Sawgrass Village shopping center, will be having a Mother’s Day sale. The jewelry store carries a selection of rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and watches as well as nautical and island designs. Custom jewelry and jewelry repair are also offered if mom has a favorite heirloom piece in need of some repair or care. The store is located at 260 Front St., Suite 610, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 285-4812 or visit www.villagejewelerofpontevedra.com.
Forking Amazing Restaurants Mother’s Day specials
Forking Amazing Restaurants, the parent company behind Jacksonville-based restaurants Ovinté, Bistro Aix and II Desco, has announced special Mother’s Day dining promotions. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling each restaurant directly or via OpenTable.
Bistro Aix, located at 1440 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, will offer a traditional brunch menu for Mother’s Day along with its standard lunch menu. Selections include house-made granola, chocolate fondue, vegetable omelet, bread basket with house-made pastries, muffins, scones and croissants, crepes, omelets, Crème Brulee French toast and more. Brunch hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; dinner hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Call (904) 398-1949 for more information or to make a reservation.
Jacksonville-based band Chilly Rhino will perform live music at Ovinté starting at noon. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ovinté is located at 10208 Buckhead Branch Drive, Jacksonville. Call (904) 900-7730 for more information or to make a reservation.
IL Desco will offer brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Seasonal specials will be served in addition to the restaurant’s standard brunch and dinner menus. Bottomless mimosas will be available for purchase for $12 per person. IL Desco is located at 2665 Park St., Jacksonville. Call (904) 290-6711 for more information or to make a reservation.
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‘Munchies with Mom’ at Mainstream Boutique
Mainstream Boutique in Ponte Vedra will host a Mother’s Day shopping event, “Munchies with Mom” Saturday May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Shoppers who spend $100 or more on May 7 will receive a free Erimish bracelet while supplies last. Mainstream Boutique is located at 880 A1A N., Suite 4, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 834-7708.
Dinner and a show
Dinner? A show? How about both? Just in time for Mother’s Day, Alhambra Theatre & Dining presents “Blithe Spirit” May 4-June 5. The comedy centers around socialite and novelist Charles Condomine who enlists the services of a medium in the hopes of gathering material for his next book, but the scheme backfires in an unexpected way. The theatre is located at 12000 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (904) 641-1212 or visit www.alhambrajax.com.