Gardening Pot and Goodies

A gardening pot filled with goodies for mom is a creative way to inspire her green thumb. And you can find an array of gardening goodies – such as hand lotions, soaps,  trowels, cultivators, kneeling pads and books – at Whispering Hills Nursery. “Kids can sign the inside book cover and add their handprints,” Michelle Anderson suggested.

Get it: 8401 Rt. 31 in Cary, 847-658-5610, www.whisperinghillsnursery.com.

“The Fassage”

Paul Hyland Salon and Day Spa recently introduced “The Fassage,” which combines a skin-rejuvenating facial with a stress-busting massage – all within a single, one-hour service. This carefully choreographed service is customized to meet mom’s individual skin care and therapeutic massage therapy needs.

Get it: 318 Memorial Dr. in Crystal Lake, 815-455-0780, www.paulhylandsalon.com.

Green Lunch Totes

Mom can take her lunch in style with earth-friendly Koko lunch bags from Cosmoda. Available at Out of the Box, find an array of styles, sizes and colors to choose from. All bags are insulated to keep mom’s lunch fresh. They’re also great for bottles, baby food and snacks for kids!

Get it: 71 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake, 815-444-7446,  www.outoftheboxstore.com.

Peaceful Pampering

Every mom deserves a day at Dolce Day Spa, a full-service Aveda salon offering countless amenities for pampering and peacefulness.

Get it:  875 Feinberg Ct. in Cary, 847-516-8787, www.dolcedayspa.com.

Dazzling Jewelry

For a mom who’s one-of-a-kind, spoil her with a unique piece of jewelry – like the Illusion Tanzanite ring shown here – from Steffan’s Jewelers. The store’s Mother’s Day Sale is from May 2-9 and features 20 percent off most merchandise.

Get it: 325 Front St. in McHenry, 815-385-6070, www.steffansjewelers.com. 

Go Shopping

Take mom to Volo Antique Malls and Collectibles’ 3rd Annual Mother's Day Special Event on May 9. The first 50 moms (accompanied by their children) receive a stemmed carnation and a Volo Malls gift card.

Get it: 27640 Volo Village Rd. in Volo, 815-344-6062, www.voloshopping.com.  

A Perfect Pedicure

There’s nothing like a soothing pedicure. According to Hair for You Day Spa, its pedicures are “a facial for the feet." Treat mom to a luxurious pedicure to replenish her mind, body … and “soles.”

Get it: 3424 W. Elm St. in McHenry, 815-385-0831, www.hairforyou.net.

Precious Portraits

For a Mother’s Day gift that lasts a lifetime, Precious Portraits from at Studio 2015 allows you to turn a portrait into a one-of-a-kind pendant or cameo.

Get it: 11701 Catalpa Ln. in Woodstock, 815-337-2015, www.studio2015.com and www.preciousportraits.com.

Elegant Underthings

Fine embroidery, precious fabrics and abundant details – Prima Donna’s Alexandrie Collection is sure to make mom feel beautiful. Available at La Bellissima, this collection offers a perfect fit for any size (available in blue, pink and white).

Get it: 10 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake, 815-477-3404, www.labellissima-online.com.

Sewing Workshops and Lessons

Sewing is a creative way to make unique fashions – and relieve stress! Get your mom a one-day sewing workshop, mother-daughter lessons or private lessons through Aesthetics.

Get it: 66 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake, 630-567-2873, www.aestheticscreations.com.  

Tickets to “Swan Lake”

Surprise mom with tickets to see the classic ballet “Swan Lake” (June 11-13) at the Woodstock Opera House. She will delight in Judith Svalander Dance Theatre’s take on this tale of a princess-turned-swan.

Get it: 121 W. Van Buren St. in Woodstock, 815-338-4212, www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

Flower Fairies

Share with mom artist Cicely Mary Barker's world of Flower Fairies with the book and collectable figurines available at The Flag Store. Popular during the first half of the last century, there has been a big revival of these enchanting fairies. Use them to decorate flower arrangements, plants or gift baskets.

Get it: 69 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake, 815-477-3444, www.flagstoreandmore.com.

Hanging Flower Basket
Wow mom with a hanging basket of Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery & Garden Center’s home-grown Proven Winners’ Supertunias™. Supertunias are low maintenance and bred for heat tolerance. Raspberry Blast is a new, breakthrough color in petunias with pink blooms edged in deep cerise violet that will provide mom’s porch with color through the summer.

Get it:  5301 E. Terra Cotta Ave. in Crystal Lake, 815-459-8130, www.countrysideflowershop.com.

Cupcake Bouquet

If you want to do something super sweet for mom this Mother’s Day, indulge her with cupcake flower bouquets from Tarts and Truffles Cakes and Catering. “Create a custom cupcake arrangement with six or more cupcakes, which can serve as a beautiful centerpiece and luscious dessert for your Mother’s Day celebration,” Susan Younger said.

Get it: 124 Cass St. in Woodstock,  815-338-8278, www.tartsandtruffles.net.

Trendy Trollbeads

Create a stunning custom necklace or bracelet for mom using Trollbeads at Cedar & Sage. The Spring Collection celebrates this happy time of year with all the classic springtime themes: sunlight-filled gardens, rebirth, renewal and romance.

Get it: 205 E. South St. in Woodstock, 815-337-0145, www.cedarandsageshop.com.

Dragonfly Flower Bouquet

Mom will enjoy being a woman even more when you surprise her with pink flowers from Renee’s of Ridgefield. This delicately hued bouquet includes pink Asiatic lilies, roses and Alstroemeria adorned with gold dragonflies.

Get it: 8505 Ridgefield Rd. in Crystal Lake, 815-459-0180, www.reneesofridgefield.com.

Couture Cupcakes
They’re the right size and color – handmade “couture” cupcakes from SweetPea Cakes. Crafted from scratch and designed to be the centerpiece of your celebration, ”these cupcakes offer uncompromised quality and unparalleled creativity,” Carrie Curie said. “We welcome the opportunity to design the most talked about dessert you will ever serve.”

Get it: 40L N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake, 815-477-CAKE, www.sweetpeacakestudio.com.