This Mothers’ Day, why not support your local businesses and wow the special mothers in your life at the same time? Here’s some ideas to get you started:
Mothers’ Day Brunches:
Salem in May is a beautiful setting for taking Mom out to brunch. Everything is in full bloom, fountains are running and the warm weather is perfect for a post-brunch stroll through downtown and Salem’s public gardens.
Peabody Essex Museum: Enjoy brunch while relaxing in the PEM’s beautiful Garden Restaurant. This event is catered by the Hawthorne Hotel and features a sumptuous brunch buffet and amazing desserts. For reservations and information, please call 978-745-9500, ext. 3157.
Rockafella’s: Located at the intersection of Washington and Essex Streets, Rockafellas offers a mouth-watering brunch menu as well as front-row seats for people watching and a fountain for the kids to play in if it’s a hot day.
The Hawthorne Hotel: In addition to catering the brunch at the PEM, The Hawthorne Hotel offers its own Mothers’ Day buffet from 10:30am to 7pm. They recommend calling 978-825-4311 for reservations.
Finz Restaurant: Finz is located right on the water on Salem’s Pickering Wharf and offers both inside and outside deck dining for its Mothers Day buffet from 11am-2:30pm. They are offering a traditional brunch menu as well as a raw bar with local oysters, shrimp cocktail and littleneck clams. Call 978-744-8985 for reservations.
Flowers:
David Eng’s Flowers: Located on Derby Street near the House of Seven Gables, this local florists offers a wonderful selection of bouquets and baskets.
Flowers by Darlene: This florist, located on Canal Street has some great bouquets available via its website or in person. Some arrangements are available in a gorgeous teacup and saucer pairing for a gift that will last even after the flowers have gone.
Peter D. Barter: Right on Derby Street near Pickering Wharf, this charming store offers a multitude of gifts as well as FTD flower arrangements.
Fiddleheads: This shop at 24 Front Street is a downtown favorite for thoughtful arrangements and gifts. Call 978-745-0008 for info on bouquets and arrangements.
Beautiful Things: Located near the PEM on Essex Street, Beautiful Things will deliver your arrangement to Salem, Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, Beverly, Danvers, Lynnfield, Peabody, Hamilton and Wenham. Call 978-745-1142. They can also arrange for deliveries world wide.
Gift Ideas:
Treasures Over Time: Located on Washington Street near the intersection with Front Street, this unique store is offering a trunk show special from Saturday May 2nd, through Sunday May 10 entitled Rainbow Sapphire Jewellry. Not just available in blue, sapphires come in a wide variety of hues and these pieces in sterling silver settings are not to be missed. A wish list is available for Mom to pick out her favorite for a gift. Refreshments will also be served from noon to 4 both Saturdays. (May 2nd and 9th).
Body and Soul Massage: Give Mom the gift of relaxation and let the people of Body and Soul take care of her. Located at 60 Washington Street, they offer a variety of massage services such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pre and Post Pregnancy and Hot Stone massage and gift certificates are available.
Still need some ideas? Try our map of Shopping and Dining in Salem!
Tickets are going fast for this popular Salem event. This is a chocolate lovers dream. Chocolate selections will range from chocolate truffles to ice cream. We anticipate chocolate mousse, flan even cheese cake may make an appearance at this year’s event. In addition to all these scruptious chocolate choices there will be a lovely selection of wine. The Chocolate and Wine Tasting is the kick off event for Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival. The tasting will be held Friday, February 5 at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at 265 Essex Street, suite 101. Participating businesses include: Capt.’s Waterfront Grill & Club, Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream, Coffee Time Bake Shop, Finz Seafood Restaurant, Harbor Sweets, Nathaniel’s in the Hawthorne Hotel, Maria’s Sweet Somethings, Market Wine & Spirits, Pamplemousse, Rockafellas, Salem Beer Works, Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites, Salem Wine Imports, Sixty2 on Wharf, Strega Restaurant & Lounge, Victoria Station and Ye Olde Pepper Co. 
This year’s Heritage Days will once again include A Mayor’s Night Out restaurant hors d’oeurves sampler where Salem residents will be able to join Mayor Driscoll on a tour of three of Salem ‘s hot dining spots: Gulu-Gulu Cafe, Tavern in the Square, and the Grapevine Restaurant.