In the rush to prepare the backyard for grilling season and spring cleaning the house, Mother's Day can sneak up and leave us scrambling for gift ideas and other ways to show how much we appreciate Mom.

Don't let Sunday, May 13 take you by surprise this year. Whether it's a much needed day at the spa or a box of handmade chocolates, there's a gift and activity for every kind of mom in Maryland.

The Outdoorsy Mom
For 25 years, Schooner Woodwind has been welcoming passengers aboard their beautiful, 74-foot schooners in Annapolis. From two-hour public sailing cruises to specialty options featuring carefully crafted food and drink pairings, there's an excursion for everyone. Help raise the sails and steer the boat, or simply sit back and enjoy the view of Maryland's treasured Chesapeake Bay.

Just minutes from Deep Creek Lake in the mountains of Garrett County, Circle R Ranch is the perfect way to relax and connect with nature. This family-friendly guided trail ride will provide you with stunning views of natural streams, towering maple and oak trees, and more. With horses to suit both novice and experienced equestrians, Circle D Ranch can accommodate any outdoor lovers' wish of experiencing nature in the saddle.

Make a weekend out of Mother's Day by enjoying s'mores and campfire stories at the Brunswick Family Campground in Frederick County between the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. With more than a 100 scenic campsites available for reservation, this hidden gem offers breathtaking views of the Short Hill Mountain and activities like biking, hiking, and boating.

The Artsy Mom

Celebrate the 50-year legendary music career of Tom Jonesone night only on Wednesday, May 9 at 8PM at Baltimore City's Hippodrome. At 77 years young, Jones has received some of the best reviews of his career for his most recent albums, 'Long Lost Suitcase', 'Spirit in the Room', and 'Praise & Blame.' Featuring supporting act, 'Into the Ark'.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has amazed audiences with its 'Movie with Orchestra' series featuring the scores of classic films, such as Jurassic Park and Harry Potter, performed live while the film unfolds on the big screen. Principal Pops Conductor, Jack Everly, will take the podium from Thursday May 10th to Sunday May 13th for Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. There will be shows at both the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore City and the Strathmore Performing Arts Center in Bethesda.

Glass fusion and paint your own pottery at Ellicott City's Pottery Shop is the perfect outlet for the creative Mom. All ages and abilities are welcome to choose a pottery or glass piece to paint or create their own fused glass project while enjoying a latte or smoothie. The Pottery Shop is open seven days a week and walk-ins are welcome.

The Foodie Mom

Located in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore City, Pierpoint Restaurant offers both adult and children's cooking classes for a variety of skillsets. For more than 20 years, the restaurant has hosted hands-on classes that include food, drink, and recipes that participants can eat and take home. Classes include International Appetizers, Thai Cuisine, International Barbeque, Maryland Cooking, Modern Italian, Creative Vegetarian, and more. Classes are hosted on weekends from 1-4PM and are reserved by phone at 410-675-2080.

Learn how to bake delicious croissants, bagels, and pastries with Chef Steve Konopelski at Denton's Turnbridge Point Bed & Breakfast. Classes range from group demonstration styles to private, hands-on instruction sessions. Enjoy Chef Steve's famous cookies while taking in the striking beauty of this newly renovated Victorian-era home with views of the Choptank River. Turnbridge Point will also be hosting a Mother's Day Sunday Brunch.

Take a trip to Southern Maryland to explore the over 75 indulgent recipes at Heritage Chocolates in Leonardtown's Square. Established in 2015, these handmade chocolates and confections have boomed in popularity offering classics like caramels and toffees, to cream-filled chocolates, enrobed Oreos, and decorated graham crackers.

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Find even more gift giving ideas in our Buy Local archive.