It’s time to elevate your game. Instead of going for a standard gift — a carnation, a piece of jewelry — why not go creative? Here are five ways to take traditional gifts to a higher level.
Typical gift: Jewelry
Upgraded version: An afternoon with ancient jewelry
Artifacts dating back 5,000 years are showcased at the Field Museum. The temporary exhibit, “Masterpieces of Ancient Jewelry: Exquisite Objects from the Cradle of Civilization,” is on display until July 5. The exhibit includes pendants, rings and necklaces that had spiritual and economic value to ancient people.
Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive.; 312-922-9410, FieldMuseum.org
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Typical gift: Perfume
Upgraded version: A custom scent that Mom mixes herself
Fragrance aficionados can create a custom scent at the Aroma Workshop. The shop has a scent bar with more than 90 essential and perfume oils. The oils can be added to body-care products including lotions, powder, shower gel, massage oil and bath salts.
Prices vary. A 16-ounce bottle of organic spa lotion is $28, and scents can be added for no extra cost; a 2.2-ounce bottle of spray cologne is $32. No appointment necessary.
2050 N. Halsted St.; 773-871-1985, AromaWorkshop.com
Typical gift: Flowers
Upgraded version: A tour of a historic garden and mansion
The Cuneo Museum is a suburban mansion built in 1914 with 78 quiet acres. Visitors can tour the grounds and wind through the formal and sunken garden areas; self-guided tours of the mansion are also available. Guided tours will begin after Mother’s Day. The home is a living museum and features paintings, furnishings and statues purchased by the Cuneo family, who owned the mansion from 1937 to 1990.
Tour tickets cost $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $7 for students and children. Visitors can opt to visit only the grounds; cost is $7 per car.
1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills; 847-362-3042, CuneoMuseum.org
Typical gift: Breakfast in bed, lovingly made by junior chefs
Upgraded version: Carryout served to Mom in bed, skillfully made by professionals
It’s an ironclad rite of motherhood to have breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day. Moms who have already experienced a few years of the traditional cold cereal and burnt toast might enjoy carryout from a favorite breakfast spot. (Check to see what the policy is for early morning carryout.) Chicago-area restaurants that offer carryout during the morning hours include Bananas Foster Cafe, with such menu options ($3 to $12.50) as Norwegian waffles, blueberry pancakes, banana-stuffed French toast with toasted pecans and full Irish breakfast. 1147 W. Granville Ave.; 773-262-9855, BananasFosterCafe.com
With two locations in Wheaton, Egg’lectic Cafe offers almond-crusted stuffed French toast and cherry Danish crepes; average breakfast cost is $8.50 per person.
Customers are advised to place takeout orders by telephone. 145 N. Hale St.; 630-690-9001 and 221 Town Square; 630-260-9001, Egglecticcafe.net
Typical gift: Framed photograph of the kids
Upgraded version: Candid shot taken with a professional camera
Gather up the family, and head downtown to take candid shots with a rented, professional camera. Pro Gear Rental rents high-end digital cameras for a 24-hour period. All cameras are full-size, DSL. The user-friendly Canon 5D Mark II, for instance, rents for $195 per day, plus $30 for a lens.
1740 W. Carroll Ave.; 312-376-3770, Progearrental.com