Eight Mother's Day Gifts Your Mom (or Mother Figure) Will Love
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Mother's Day is right around the corner, on May 10, so mark your calendar, make those brunch reservations and read on if you're in need of a great gift idea for the mom or mother figure in your life.
Blair Eadie x Frances Valentine Croc Clutch
Sarasota-based influencer Blair Eadie is known for her colorful, maximalist style. So it makes sense that her most recent clothing collaboration is with Frances Valentine, which was founded by the late Kate Spade—a designer also known for her love of color. Eadie's collection is filled with sequins, polka dots and stripes; we're particularly fond of this oversized croc clutch in of-the-moment chartreuse with a cheerful striped interior (above). It's the kind of piece that plays just as nicely with jeans and sneakers as it does with a formal dress. $348, francesvalentine.com
Handmade Ebijou Necklace
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For Elma Glisson, jewelry is personal. Her brand, Ebijou, is a blend of her name and the word "bijou," which translates to "jewelry" in Kwéyol, a language spoken in her natice St. Lucia that's a fusion of French and Afrikaans. Glisson's oversized woven necklaces are inspired by that country's blue waters and neon sunsets; she designs and creates each piece in her Southwest Florida studio. Choose a color that reflects your mom's personality or a shared memory you have together. She'll love it. $100, ebijou.com
Sarasota Sweatshirt from Influence Style
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A great sweatshirt is a must for any wardrobe. Pull it on over a bathing suit and shorts after a day on the boat; throw it on before doing a grocery run at Publix; curl up in it on one of our cooler winter days. This one, from Influence Style—now open in The Quay—is perfectly slouchy and made from soft, garment-dyed fabric that'll make Mom feel like she's had it for years. Plus, it pays homage to our beloved Sarasota. What's better than that? $88, Influence Style, 468 Quay Commons, Unit A, Sarasota, influencestyle.com
Embroidered Shark Tooth Napkins
Venice is the shark tooth capital of the world, and thousands of visitors comb through the sand every year to try to find fossils for their collection—including the coveted, palm-sized Megalodon. Want to give Mom something a little less literal? These embroidered napkins by Florida artist Tressa Lavinia Linzy are a nod to local history that a pretty enough to keep on your coffee table year-round. $68, tressalavinialinzy.com
An Orchid or Native Plant
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If your mom loves gardening, an orchid is a showstopping plant that will provide beauty for years to come. Selby Gardens' downtown Sarasota gift shop is a great place to get one; add a pretty pot and you're all set. Alternatively, visit one of our region's nurseries and pick up a native plant—try a purple blazing star, milkweed (butterflies love it), passionflower, Stokes aster or coral honeysuckle, to name a few, or ask one of the nursery's experts to put together a selection of plants to make her a custom cutting garden.
One-of-a-Kind Vintage
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Want something truly unique? Vintage is the way to go. Sarasota's Canned Ham Vintage has a stunning array of vintage pieces—from dresses to jewelry to handbags—that date as far back as the 1890s (check out this coat). You can never go wrong with a pair of earrings, like these ($42), or a sparkly brooch, like this ($148); if you're feeling spendy, how about a vintage Hermès scarf ($370)? Canned Ham Vintage, 2081 12th St, Sarasota, cannedhamvintage.com
Tickets to a Show
Image: Adrian Van Stee
Sarasota's arts season winds down in the summer, but most of our cultural organizations have announced their 2026-2027 seasons. Peruse their catalogs and pick a performance to see together in the fall—it'll give you both something fun to look forward to. Or see what's on offer on local stages right now—options include Who Is Eartha Mae? at Urbanite Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof and Marie & Rosetta at Asolo Rep, the Sarasota Music Festival in June, improv shows at Florida Studio Theatre and more.
Oyster Shell Serving Utensils
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These are for the ultimate hostess who likes her home decor to have a story. Handmade by Gogo Ferguson—the jewelry designer, Carnegie family descendent and person who suggested JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette get married on tiny Cumberland Island, Georgia—this oyster shell serving set ($129) is cast from oyster shells Ferguson found on Cumberland Island, where she lives. Sarasota Art Museum Gift Shop, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, sarasotaartmuseum.org
