5 Ways To Plan A Great Mother's Day In Chicago
By Chicagoist_Guest in Food on May 3, 2016 3:40PM
Mother’s Day often conjures up images of pastel-accented tea services and Laura Ashley floral dresses. But does anyone actually have a mother who enjoys that sort of thing? Well, probably a few, but they’re in the minority. Moms want to do fun stuff too, you know. But what’s out there beyond the packed brunch locations and generic greeting cards? Plenty. We’ve got suggestions for every type of mom, from the one driving in from the suburbs, to the one that drives you crazy. Follow these itineraries, and make Mother’s Day a day you’ll both enjoy.
By Leigh Kunkel
For The DIY Type
If your mom is always saying, “You know, we could just make that instead,” don’t despair; you can still do something fun together, even if you’re not necessarily the crafty type.
Do a little advance planning and grab ingredients at the opening day of Green City Market this Saturday to make your own Mother’s Day brunch, or hit up Southport Grocery for tons of locally-made, easy-to-prepare options for brunch, dinner, or anything in between. Once you’re fueled up, visit the Rebuilding Exchange for one of several Mother’s Day workshops, including making picture frames from reclaimed wood, and a BYOB option.
via Gothamist
For Your BFF
So you and your mom are basically Rory and Lorelai Gilmore. Every day is Mother’s Day for you! You should still try to make this one special, though, so all of these suggestions are for things you can do together.
Start out with a brunch cooking class at Cooking Fools, where you’ll whip up some stuffed French toast, among other things. Head over to Andersonville, where you two can browse the vintage furniture and decor stores together. Try Room Service for great mid-century decor and barware. Once you’re hungry again, stop at Pastoral for a glass of wine and a cheese plate, and try not to look too smug about your perfect parent-child relationship.
For Your Not-BFF
Maybe the idea of spending an extended period of time together with your mother makes you break out in hives. Not to worry—these suggestions should keep you busy enough that you two will barely even have time to talk, let alone argue.
Kick things off at City Winery, where you can not only drink, but listen to other people talk about their mothers during the Story Sessions Mother’s Day edition. Then hop over to the South Loop, where you and your mom and 10 other people will work together to escape from a room containing a brain-craving zombie at Room Escape Adventures. Finish off your busy day with a burger at Kuma’s—between the people-watching and the heavy metal, too much talking will be next to impossible.
For The “Cool Mom”
Hey, that Mean Girls scene was based on something. And what Cool Mom doesn’t want bottomless drinks? Wander over to Flagship in Lakeview for all-you-can-drink Bloody Marys or mimosas with your brunch. Or, if it doesn’t have to be bottomless, try Tavern On Little Fort for build-your-own options. Once you have a little liquid courage, visit Stiletto Dance Studio for one of their signature Peep Toe Pole Dance classes, and try not to think about who might be the beneficiary of her new skills.
For The Suburbanite
Did you convince her to venture in from the suburbs for the day? That’s a good step! Now to expand her horizons a little bit without scaring her too badly.
Start things off gently with an Italian ice at Taylor Street institution Mario’s: familiar treat, new neighborhood. Then head up to Lakeview for something all moms love: sing-along ABBA. After you’ve sung your hearts out at the Music Box’s sing-along showing of Mama Mia, have dinner at Vera. Tapas are the perfect way to get her out of her comfort zone a little—who could be afraid of something so small? You can try out some delicious new flavors, and some delicious new wines to wash them down.