Treat the special mama in your life to one of these Atlanta gifts and activities for Mother’s Day 2023! In this list, you’ll find 19+ unexpected ideas perfect for moms and mother figures of all ages.
Discover affordable and easy ideas for Mother’s Day weekend – including sweet treats, creative experiences, sentimental gift ideas, and more. As a result, you’re sure to find something for even the Mom who has everything. Don’t forget – Mothers’ Day 2023 is on Sunday, May 14!
A note: Mother’s Day can be a day of celebration, a day of grieving, a day of sadness, and a day of joy. As a result, for many of us, this holiday brings mixed emotions that can feel heavy. Our hearts are with our community members who struggle on this holiday. We encourage you to check in with your loved ones who may be experiencing loss – give them a phone call, send them flowers, or respect their wishes to let them have a day of remembrance.
A few of our favorite Mother’s Day Atlanta 2023 activities:
Read on for more details on these activities and more.
- Gift her a box of feminist-inspired goodies
- Treat mom to high tea or a unique brunch
- Seen an Atlanta Braves or Atlanta United game together
- Spend quality time with her on a food walk or picnic
- Hire an artist to illustrate your home or family
- Go for a day trip or hot air balloon ride
- Reach out to friends who struggle on Mother’s Day
In this post, you’ll find:
- Atlanta gifts and activities for Mother’s Day 2023
- Unique Mother’s Day experiences in Atlanta
- Off-the-beaten-path Mother’s Day ideas for adrenaline junkies, sports lovers, and more
- Unexpected and easy Mother’s Day 2023 Atlanta gifts for Atlanta moms
- How to support people who struggle with loss on Mother’s Day
- Ways to celebrate the life of a mother figure or honor the loss of a child
1. Indulge Mama with High Tea from Dr. Bombay’s
Give mama the gift of quality time with you! Treating your mom to high tea feels delightfully indulgent and fun – and Dr. Bombay’s makes it easy! This whimsical, unfussy tea shop and bakery is nestled away in Atlanta’s friendly Candler Park neighborhood. You can book a dine-in contactless High Tea. This experience is perfect for private groups and family gatherings.
Or, treat her to a High Tea To Go. With this option, you can pick up individual High Tea boxes filled with delicious vegetarian goodies. Inside each biodegradable box, you’ll get finger sandwiches, petite quiche, a scone, jam and clotted cream, and cookies and brownie bites. In addition, you’ll get a pot of tea with all the fixings and utensils.
Make an afternoon out of the experience and take your High Tea To Go box to a local park. For instance, Candler Park nearby has 55 acres of picnic-worthy greenspace in the heart of Atlanta. You and your special mama can share an afternoon of quality conversation and rest together in Atlanta’s spring weather. As a bonus, clean-up is as easy as finding the nearest trash bin!
2. Hire an Artist to Illustrate Your Family or Home – One of our Favorite Atlanta Gifts & Activities for Mother’s Day 2023
This is one Mother’s Day gift idea that’s sure to strike a sentimental chord: hire a local illustrator to paint a special portrait of your family or home. An artist can work off an existing photo, or even multiple photos. As a result, there’s no need to orchestrate logistics or timing for a dressed-up group photo.
To make this gift extra-special, ask an artist to add personal touches to the portrait. For example, the artist could paint Mom’s favorite flowers around the border of the illustration. And, they can add your family name at the bottom in artful handwriting – for example, The Shermans.
Atlanta illustrator Sarah Neuburger creates personalized home illustrations and stamps. In this list, you’ll find a variety of artists who can create an illustrated family portrait.
3. Take Mom on a Food Walk for an Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience – One of Our Favorite Atlanta Gifts & Activities for Mother’s Day 2023
Does the Mom in your life love learning and history? If so, take her on an easy, fun food and history walk of Atlanta! An enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide will lead the experience. The Grant Park Past & Future Food Walk includes 8 modern and Southern fusion tastings from 3 locally owned food stops.
During this experience, you’ll walk 1.2 miles over the course of 2.5 hours together. This small group tour includes a jaunt through the historic Oakland Cemetery nearby. You’ll both learn a little more about the city you call home.
Spots tend to fill up quickly. Make your reservation now and treat your Mom to a fun, unexpected experience! Have food allergies or restrictions? Let us know! Most dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
4. Pamper Her with Self-Care Goodies from Mama Bath & Body
Atlanta-based online retailer Mama Bath & Body is a tried-and-true source for self-care and bath essentials. That’s because they focus on using natural, Earth-grown ingredients to create quality products for nearly twenty years. You’ll even find their products at the Atlanta Four Seasons Spa!
At Mama, you’ll find beautifully scented soaps, salves, lotions, loose leaf teas, and more. If you’re shopping for the mother of your children, take this gift a step further. Draw her a hot bath, light some candles, wrangle the kiddos for a day out, and let mama soak in the tub to her heart’s content!
5. Support Mom’s Green Thumb
Many of our moms were taking care of houseplants and gardens long before it was trendy. If the special Mom in your life is also a “plant mom” (or aspires to be), treat her to a new plant or supplies for her existing plants.
A few of our favorite Atlanta plant shops for Mother’s Day:
- The Victorian, with locations in Old Fourth Ward & East Atlanta Village
- PlantHouse in Decatur
- Varnish & Vine in East Point
- Garden*Hood in Grant Park
A few houseplants that are beginner-friendly include cacti and succulents, a snake plant (Sansevieria), and a ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). If Mom is a pro already, she might enjoy caring for a plant that’s become popular lately. For instance, Monsteras, Philodendrons, and Calatheas.
If you’ve never heard any of those words before, have no fear! Most local plant shop employees are happy to make recommendations. Moreover, they can help you find the perfect plant based on your home’s layout and light sources. Plus, they can help you choose a pot for your plant with proper drainage. Many shops will even repot your plant for a small fee. This is especially worth it if you choose a prickly plant like a cactus!
6. Take Mom to a Spring Festival on Mother’s Day Weekend
In Atlanta, Mother’s Day often coincides with our city’s many spring festivals. As a result, you can take mom along to listen to live music, browse art markets, try festival food together, and so much more.
It’s easy to combine this idea with other activities on our list, too. For example, start your day with brunch or personalized doughnuts, then head to a festival together to enjoy the day!
Atlanta festivals happening on Mother’s Day weekend 2023:
- Dunwoody Art Festival
- Sweet Auburn Springfest
- Georgia Renaissance Festival (through June 4)
7. Cheer on the Home Team Together
Take the mother figure in your life to one of Atlanta’s many sports games happening Mother’s Day weekend! Cheer on the home team together while treating mom to all the refreshments her heart desires.
For example, watch Atlanta United take to the soccer field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium near Downtown Atlanta. Or, catch an Atlanta Braves home game at Truist Park.
Is Mom a super fan of either team? If so, consider making this an extra-special experience by gifting her a custom Atlanta United jersey or Braves merch. One of our favorite items? This Braves-themed Dooney & Bourke purse that’s sure to earn her compliments around town!
8. Treat Mom to Personalized Sublime Doughnuts – One of our Favorite Atlanta Gifts & Activities for Mother’s Day 2023
With locations near GA Tech and North Druid Hills, Sublime Doughnuts is a delicious Atlanta favorite. Their love for their home city shines through their doughnut offerings. As a result, popular flavors include “A-Town Cream,” shaped like the letter A. And, the “Orange Dream Star” reminds us of a delicious Frosted Orange from The Varsity.
An insider’s secret – you can order Sublime Doughnuts in any letter shapes! Spell out “Happy Moms Day,” her name, or a custom special message in doughnuts! Must be ordered 24 hours in advance.
One fun, unexpected fact? Sublime’s Founder, Kamal Grant, served as a baker in the Navy. His cinnamon rolls earned him the praise of his shipmates aboard the USS John Young. Grant traveled the world and brought his knowledge of other countries’ flavors and culinary arts to Sublime.
9. Hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Play Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Is mom a big Star Wars fan? Take her to see this special concert together! On May 13 & 14, 2023, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. The movie will be projected onto a 40-foot-tall screen while the orchestra plays the film’s score live! You can even dress up together in Star Wars costumes or cosplay.
Make it a themed evening by having dinner at a “nerd bar.” For instance, My Parents’ Basement is a restaurant and comic book store in Avondale Estates. This spot is also known for its unique vegetarian and vegan options like their seitan Reuben, corn dogs, and Paow “chicken” tacos. Or, visit Battle & Brew, a Sandy Springs restaurant that offers a wide variety of console, VR, PC, and tabletop gaming options.
10. Take Her Out for a Unique Mother’s Day Brunch
Celebrating moms with a special brunch is a classic Mother’s Day activity for good reason! After all, who doesn’t love an indulgent breakfast, minus the prep work and cleanup?
This year, go off the beaten path with some unexpected Atlanta Mother’s Day brunch options. For example, some restaurants in Atlanta are offering live music and other entertainment.
For moms with bold personalities who enjoy something unique, head to Lips Atlanta for the Ultimate Drag Brunch. Lips pulls out all the stops with a spectacular show every Sunday. Enjoy delicious brunch entrées and fabulous over-the-top drag performances full of sing-along hits! Includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. Reservations required.
11. Explore Nature’s Beauty Together by Strolling Through a Garden
While it’s a bit traditional, the idea of taking Mom to a garden for Mother’s Day is popular for a reason. You can walk together, admire the flowers and trees, and reflect on the beauty and miracles of nature. We love the Atlanta Botanical Garden as a classic intown activity.
Or, venture a little further out to Gibbs Gardens (pictured). Just 1 hour north of Atlanta, this lush oasis includes 300 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Enjoy miles of multilevel walkways. Plus, check out the Japanese Gardens, the Sculpture Garden, and children’s areas. During early and mid-May, flowers expected to be in bloom include azaleas, rhododendron, roses, hydrangeas, water lilies, and more.
Grab lunch at the on-site Arbor Cafe. Or, head to Jill’s Cakes & Bakes nearby in downtown Ball Ground. There, you’ll find fresh-made croissants, biscuits, cupcakes, and more. Call ahead for special orders and cakes!
12. Take Mom to a Concert
Whether mom is a concert aficionado or she hasn’t seen live music since well before the pandemic, attending a concert is a fun way to shake things up for Mother’s Day. This May, there are a variety of great concerts coming to the city from all genres. Find a few of our favorite ideas below!
Atlanta Mother’s Day concert ideas for May 2023:
- Seal: May 6 at The Fox Theatre
- Hozier: May 6 at Center Stage Theater
- Kenny Loggins: May 13 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
- Stevie Nicks: May 22 at State Farm Arena
- Ed Sheeran: May 27 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
13. Take Her for an Unforgettable Hot Air Balloon Ride
Does mom have a bit of an adventurous streak – or a “bucket list” that’s a mile long? If she’s down for a thrill, take her on a hot air balloon ride! She’ll never forget the feeling of floating over Atlanta with an incredible bird’s-eye-view. Of course, you might want to hint around about a balloon ride before booking something, to make sure she’s comfortable with the idea!
With Balloon Atlanta, you can book a ride or buy a gift certificate to soar over the city. Choose a solo experience, private balloon for two, or a shared ride. No matter which option you choose, this unique gift idea is sure to boost her adrenaline!
14. Plan a Day Trip Together
Mother’s Day weekend is typically sunny and warm out in Atlanta – perfect for a road trip! Why not whisk away the mama in your life for a restful day trip? Let her play her favorite music along the way, and be sure to stop at her favorite coffee shop for a drink and some road snacks!
Day trip ideas for Mother’s Day (driving from Atlanta):
- Visit Providence Canyon State Park, also known as “Georgia’s little grand canyon” (pictured above) – 2 hours S of Atlanta
- Head to North Georgia’s wineries to enjoy sips and scenic views – distances vary
- See Rock City, with unique rock formations and natural beauty near Chattanooga, TN – 2 hours NW of Atlanta
- Head to Augusta to check out Final Cut, the Anthropologie outlet store full of incredible deals – 2 hours E of Atlanta
15. Gift Mom Top-Tier Atlanta Chocolates
For the chocolate field: gift her an indulgent gift that will satisfy her sweet tooth. Cacao is a standout chocolate option in Atlanta. In fact, this shop was named one of the best chocolate shops in the world by Travel + Leisure! At Cacao, you’ll find a range of unique European chocolate delicacies. For instance, try the “Salame di Cioccolato” – based on a traditional concoction featuring sweet treats and chocolate, rolled up like a salami!
Another fantastic Atlanta option is XOCOATL, offering chocolate gift sets in a variety of sizes and price points. Treat her to locally-crafted, small batch chocolates that will make her taste buds sing. You’d never guess it, but these chocolates are all vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free.
16. Gift Her a Solo Night of Comfort & Luxury – One of our Favorite Atlanta Gifts & Activities for Mother’s Day 2023
After the last few years, many mothers (and many people!) are simply exhausted. While we appreciate Mother’s Day as an opportunity to spend time together with family, the reality is that many moms could use a night of solo pampering.
If you get the sense that the mom of your kids could use a night off, this year, try something different and book her a hotel room to enjoy on her own. She can order room service, luxuriate in a bath, and catch up on her favorite TV shows (no Baby Shark or Paw Patrol allowed!). You could even treat her to a massage or spa service while she’s there.
Consider booking her a Friday or Saturday night hotel stay on Mother’s Day weekend, then spending the following day together rested and relaxed as a family.
17. Gift Something Unique from Uncommon Goods
While this idea isn’t specific to Atlanta, Uncommon Goods is an online retailer we love for unique gift ideas. Shop their curated list of Mother’s Day gift ideas for unexpected finds to delight and surprise.
A few of our favorites: a personalized family print or paint-by-number kit, custom message shortbread cookies, useful and beautiful garden and home accessories, a “moments with mom” scratch-off journal, and more!
18. Honor Grief in a Meaningful Way
There’s no way around it – for many people, Mother’s Day can be a difficult day of grief or complex emotions. You may wish to send a “thinking of you” note or flowers to your loved ones who may be struggling with this holiday.
Sometimes, it’s tempting to ignore difficult topics with our loved ones – not because we don’t care, but because it’s hard to know what to say. Rather than ignoring the holiday for fear of upsetting someone, try reaching out with vulnerability instead. Remember that your loving presence is enough – you don’t need to know exactly what to say!
Some things you might say to someone struggling with Mother’s Day:
- “I know this holiday might be hard for you. I’m thinking of you and loving you, today and every day.”
- “I can’t find the right words to say, but I know today might be hard and I’m here for you.”
- “I’m thinking of you today, and I’d love to bring you some dinner tonight. What time works for you?”
- “You’re on my mind today. I miss [name] too, and we will never forget [him/her/them].”
19. Celebrate All the Mother Figures In Your Life – One of our Favorite Atlanta Gifts & Activities for Mother’s Day 2023
Start a beautiful tradition this year of gifting flowers to all the mothers and mother figures in your life on Mother’s Day. This might include your sister who prides herself on being a “dog mom,” your grandmothers and aunts, the neighbor you see playing with her kids in the yard, and anyone who’s a part of your “village.”
For a budget-friendly way to do this, buy a few grocery store bouquets. Then, take them out of their plastic wrapping, trim the stems, and arrange flowers into small bunches tied with ribbon or twine. This is a small, easy way to spread love in the world and celebrate all kinds of mothers.
However you choose to celebrate, we wish you and your loved ones a meaningful and safe Mother’s Day!
