This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Monmouth County Mother's Day Gift Guide [POLL]

Local gifts and services that say, "I love you, Mom."

You could just say it - "Thanks, Mom, for enduring 96 tee-ball and softball games, making 292 excruciating rides to the mall for me and my immature friends, and for expertly masking your tears and fears when you kicked me out of the nest."

Or, "Thanks, honey, for all those sleepless nights and toddler meltdowns you endure and for not running away like Thelma and Louise."

But that's quite a mouthful. Instead we thought some gift suggestions might help you say all those nice things a little better. And to make sure we were on target, we asked some local moms how they would like to be loved through gifts. Here are the results:

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

If mom looks tired, it's because she is.

  • Valina Salon and Day Spa, in Marlboro, a Patch Reader's Choice Winner, is knocking 10 percent of gift cards of $100 or more and 15 percent off gift cards of $300 or more.
  • Avanti Day Resort in Manalapan has packages for mom, daughters and moms-to-be. The package for pregnant moms includes: Proud belly cast and 50-minute pre-natal massage for $290, gratuity and tax included. The mother and me experience features her choice of 50-minute heaven massage or an Avanti Delight Facial, followed by pedicures for two, $375 total with tax and gratuity included.
  • , with nearby locations in Freehold, Holmdel, and Malboro is offering a deal for mom, this month. Buy her a three-month gift membership and she will get an upgrade of armotherapy or deep heat relief. The offer is valid at participating locations, so be sure to check with your local Massage Envy to see if they are honoring the deal. For your $189.39 mom will get one massage per month.

They are a tradition for a reason...

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

  • Patch Readers Choice florists in Holmdel, Matawan-Aberdeen, Malboro, Freehold and Manalapan can provide the perfect bouquet to show Mom you care.
  • Dearborn Market in Holmdel always offers high-end flowers and gifts for mom, but this week they have perennials with added purpose. Now through May 12, purchase pink hydrangeas or pink Knock Out Roses and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Pink Fund, which works to provide mammographies for underinsured and uninsured women in our community.

Not flowers, but sweet smelling just the same.

  • Yankee Candle, Freehold Raceway Mall, is having a Mother's Day Sale now through May 13. Purchase two large jars or tumblers and get one free. Which means one for your mom, one for your mother-in-law, and one for you. Isn't that nice, how that worked out?

What we really want is good health, more energy and a great butt.

  • Michelle Sassa of Aberdeen said the best gift she ever got (and would love to get more of...) was personal training sessions with Charlene Russo, also of Aberdeen. Her business is Moms Into Living Fit. "It's awesome," Sassa said. "She does functional training, lots of two for one exercises that work more than one muscle group, perfect for the busy multi-tasking mama. And she's a bikini bodybuilder, so her bod is an inspiration."

For the foodie mama...

  • in Freehold offers Cooking With Chef Ash on Sundays at 5 p.m. Ash takes students step-by-step through each course, sharing his 25 years of experience in the culinary arts. Learn everything from picking out and preparing each ingredient to cooking and plating each dish, with plenty of hands on participation. The cost is $40 for an approximately three hour class.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?