Being old enough to treat mom to something beyond a  greeting card presents us with tons of opportunities to thank her for the care, inspiration and guidance she has provided over the years. Here are some ideas that merge this month’s staple events with ways to celebrate mom, creating days you can enjoy together and memories you can share forever.

Feed Her Foodie

Save the “breakfast in bed” sentiment for anniversaries, and treat mom to a gourmet brunch downtown. Local restaurants like Wheelhouse Kitchen & Cocktails (67 Ottawa Ave. SW), Bistro Bella Vita (44 Grandville Ave. SW) and Six One Six at JW Marriott (235 Louis St. NW) have exclusive Mother’s Day menus crafted by the kitchens’ head chefs. CityFlats Hotel (83 Monroe Center St. NW) transforms their ballroom into a mouthwatering paradise of food stations featuring everything from brunch classics to contemporary fare.

Solidify your reservations by calling the restaurant. Many offer reservation slots you can choose from along with dinner time slots. Discover more by searching Mother’s Day Brunch in Grand Rapids at Opentable.com.

Revel in Bonsai Beauty

Michigan All-State Bonsai Show at Frederik Meijer Gardens, May 12 & 13 Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s (FMG) magnificent collection of bonsai trees showcases a blend of nature’s beauty and human artistry. If mom finds bliss in gardening or landscape design, a trip to FMG presents multiple environments and climates you can enjoy together.

Another idea is gifting mom with a FMG membership. Members spend the year enjoying waived admission fees, free entrance to Tuesday Evening Music Club performances and reciprocal benefits with over 200 other gardens throughout the country.

Craft a Creation

Make It for Mommy at Posh Petals, May 11, 3:30-6 p.m. This gift-making workshop at Posh Petals (806 Bridge St. NW) provides each person with a vase, five flowers and the expertise needed to create a flower arrangement with the help of Posh Petal florists. The open house format invites people to the shop to design their arrangement in a creative, casual atmosphere while enjoying complimentary snacks and beverages. $15 sets you up with everything you need to make mom a gift that blooms with love.

Delight in Designing

Eastern Floral Perfectly Pastel Design Class, May 19 10-11 a.m. Treat mom to Eastern Floral’s (2836 Broadmoor Ave. SE) design class, Perfectly Pastel. Enjoy quality time with mom while navigating through provided materials that allow each of you make a one-of-a-kind design featuring spring’s best colors. Tickets are available on Easternfloral.com/designclass and are $40/person.

More Flower Fun

Beginner Floral Design Workshop at Grand Rapids Public Library, May 19, 1-2:30 p.m. Register for the Grand Rapids Public Library’s (111 Library St NE) free Beginner Floral Design Workshop. Owner of Rooted Floral Company, Lindsay Laplow, shares techniques and tips that guide participants to making their own floral arrangement to take home. Whether you each make an arrangement for yourselves or swap them at the end, sharing the experience gifts long term value to both of you.

Wine Not Paint Something?

Wine & Paint Classes at Brush Studio GR Brush Studio GR (50 Louis NW) hosts a plethora of wine and paint events throughout May. Visit Brushgr.com to explore the available classes, find one you would like to try out with mom and register. Whether you harbor an inner Van Gogh or you compare your ability to Pollock’s, sitting by mom’s side as you both attempt to mimic the teacher’s example offers a picture-perfect bonding opportunity.

Registration runs $25-$40 and includes canvas, paints and a take-home masterpiece of your creation. Beverages sold separately.

Travel to Tulip Time

Holland, Michigan, May 5-13 Mother’s Day weekend falls on the festival’s last two days meaning you have the opportunity to treat mom to a full day of engaging in West Michigan’s proud Dutch heritage. Spend Saturday embarking on self-guided walks through bountiful tulip gardens, visiting the Dutch Marktplaats, enjoying the Muziekparade (perhaps viewed while having a craft beer on the original New Holland Brewing Company’s patio) and more. The evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks show at Kollen Park.

Register for Yoga in the Tulips and share a zen moment surrounded by Tulip Time’s star namesakes in full bloom. Registration is free for either a 10 a.m. session at Window on the Waterfront or a 2 p.m. session at Centennial Park. When you have finished, take mom to the new Moederdag Market in Centennial Park (an easy transition if you did the 2 p.m. yoga session). This inaugural market is designed for the lovely ladies in our lives and features a selection of merchants, live performances, carriage rides, demonstrations and more. Design an experience for you and mom at Tuliptime.com.

Run River Bank Together

Downtown Grand Rapids, May 12, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. If mom is a runner, consider giving the gift of race registration for Mother’s Day. Race registrations have gained popularity as admirable gifts to those who enjoy running. Share the feel-good endorphins by joining the race with her. Many moms who run convey their favorite race memories are ones they ran with their daughter or son. Few things top that unbeatable joy of crossing the finish line together in duel celebration. Register at 53riverbankrun.com/participate.

Bri Kilroy is a Grand Valley and AmeriCorps alumna who learned to type through vigorous Mavis Beacon trainings. She also passes as an artist, illustrator and author of this bio.