Springtime means that a few important events will be popping up along with those seasonal blooms. Don’t get caught without the perfect gift for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. And, while you’re at it, grab something great for the graduates on your gift list. The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes offer excellent gift options for Mom, Dad and grad.
For Mom: Beyond Breakfast in Bed
Add a bouquet of fresh, beautiful flowers to that breakfast tray. It’s a finishing touch she can enjoy all day. $3.99–$12.99. Trader Joe’s, 12105 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.315.1739; traderjoes.com
Let Mom relax with a gift of lavender salt scrub ($5.99) and French lavender or lemon verbena soaps ($3.29 each). Trader Joe’s
Create a basket of bath items with Signature Collection products from Bath and Body Works. Lotion, body wash and shower gel ($11 each); body cream ($12.50); fragrance mist ($14). Pre-packaged gift sets are $9–$32.50. Bath & Body Works, 12253 Elm Creek Blvd.; 763.493.0240; bathandbodyworks.com
Moms love to show off pictures of their progeny. For Mother’s Day, you could give her a practical and durable canvas panel tote bag printed with family pictures. It’s perfect for errands, school or the beach and comes in multiple designs. $49.99. National Camera Exchange, 12055 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.425.1417; natcam.com
If Mom prefers her pictures a little less prominent, consider a silver-plated heart-shaped charm with her cherished child’s image inside. 18-inch silver chain included. $29.99. National Camera Exchange
Send Mom out in style with a Burst double-strand necklace. $25.99 sale, $45. Hot Mama, 2217 Elm Creek Blvd.; 763.416.5100; shopmama.com
Mom will like being seen around town with a designer Baggallini Bag over her shoulder. Baggallini handbags and travel accessories in a variety of sizes, styles and colors are available from $48.95 to $159.95. Goodthings, 12139 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.494.9255; seegoodthings.com
While Dad is by the grill, Mom might enjoy sipping her favorite wine from a new hand-painted wine glass by Lolita. These charming glasses are unique works of art for the sophisticated and fun Mom. $26.95 each. Goodthings
Help Mom keep her celebratory beverages perfectly chilled with a wine bottle Corkcicle ($24.95) or soapstone Whiskey Rocks that chill without diluting her favorite drink. $22.95/set. Goodthings
Give Mom a day or two off from making meals. A gift card to Let’s Dish! allows Mom to stock up on nutritious family-friendly meals for less than the cost of take-out or fast food. Prices vary. Let’s Dish! 12187 Elm Creek Blvd., Osseo; 763.425.9383; letsdish.com
Better yet, give Mom the gift of dinner out with a gift card from Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano. Prices vary. 2051 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.416.2225; biaggis.com
For Dad: Killer Griller Gear
If your Dad is a barbecue enthusiast, he’ll surely appreciate high-quality grilling tools that hold up season after season. For Father’s Day, consider an elegant set of durable grilling tools from Williams-Sonoma, encased in a tough-guy-style metal tool box. $79.95. Williams-Sonoma, 12229 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.315.0780; williams-sonoma.com
Create a gift basket of meat and grilling sauces to get Dad started. Traditional BBQ sauce ($2.49) or Kansas City-style ($2.69). Pork baby back ribs $4.49 per pound or go for the pre-cooked heat and eat baby back ribs $10.99 per pound, to help Dad make dinner a snap. Trader Joe’s
Dad’s guests can enjoy a cold beverage while he tends the grill, so why not trash that old beer or wine opener and give dad one he will be proud of. Brushed stainless steel bottle opener ($5); lever corkscrew with a pump/stopper gift packaged in a wood storage box. $49.95. Williams-Sonoma
Add a six-pack of Fulton, a local beer that comes in Lonely Blonde and Sweet Child of Vine. Or mix and match a beer sampler six-pack to give Dad a chance to try some new brews. PRICE? Trader Joe’s
Dad can serve up his grilled delicacies on a new Sports Platter in the shape of a giant football. $48. Color Me Mine, 12155 Elm Creek Blvd.; 763.420.0005; maplegrove.colormemine.com
Your Dad a golfer, not a griller? You could get him a new polyester golf towel imprinted with his favorite photograph. $19.99. National Camera Exchange
You could always refresh Dad’s ride with the simple gift of a Scented Car Jar. Or sweeten his man-cave with some Man Candles in Riding Mower or First Down scents. $10.99–$27.99. Yankee Candle, 12183 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.416.2001; yankeecandle.com
For Grad: Graduation Goodies
Trick out your grad’s technology with a personalized phone case for iPhone 4, 4S or 5. A favorite photo is printed on white gloss metal and placed on durable plastic. $24.99. National Camera Exchange
A magnetic dry erase board customized with a fun photograph is perfect for dorm rooms or your grad’s new apartment. $39.99 National Camera Exchange
Tell your grad she’s special with a silver plated charm necklace containing a memorable image. 18" silver chain is included. $24.99 National Camera Exchange
Don’t let dorm rooms that don’t allow candles keep your grad from enjoying fresh scents. Reed diffusers and room spray are elegant and useful gifts. $7.99–$21.99. Yankee Candle
Encourage good hygiene from afar with a Slim stylish electric toothbrush. They come in a variety of cool colors and designs. $16.95. Goodthings
Help your grad get ready for those late nights of studying and early morning college classes with a new Cuisinart 12-cup programmable coffee maker. $130. Williams-Sonoma
A new apartment can mean a need for new cookware. Calphalon fry pans made of hard-anodized aluminum are a durable addition to your new grad’s kitchen. $79.95. Williams-Sonoma
A healthier alternative to pre-packaged microwave popcorn is a Microwave Popcorn Maker. Add 1/3 cup of any popcorn and pop into the microwave for two minutes for a delicious late night snack with every kernel popped. In red. $14.95. Goodthings
