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Take the Card and Gift to the Next Level
Does mom love to start (or end) the day with a cup of coffee? Simple enough – drop a few gift cards from Starbucks (401 Eighth St. SE) or Dunkin’ Donuts (801 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) inside that perfect Mother’s Day card you discovered. How about moms who want to save the planet? Make a contribution in her name to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (725 Eighth St. SE) and tuck the donation acknowledgement into your card of choice. Or add a gift certificate to Oxxo Cleaners (405 Eighth St. SE), Eighth Street’s green dry cleaner. Why not bring mom into Capitol Hill Bikes (709 Eighth St. SE)? Today’s new bikes are a treat to admire – and who knows? Maybe Mom is secretly looking for both exercise and a save-the-planet strategy combined and just hasn’t told you yet … but it could lead to a family bike trip to the south of France, so proceed carefully.
Mother’s Day on Barracks Row
by Sharon Bosworth
W
e’re not sure what Dr. Phil would say, but in the court of common sense we believe that mother-child relationships are like snowflakes – each is totally individual. Yes, you were right all along – your mother did treat your brother differently. She became a different mother with your brother because he was a different person than you were. Yet your mother insisted that she treated you both the same, right? Well, that’s true, too. She was patient and playful and accepting and loving to both of you to the full extent of her being. By
your mother’s measure, she did apply herself the same to both of you, but it came off as different because you and your brother are different. Your brother may have needed more of her patience and you may have needed more of her playfulness. This year celebrate the difference – make your Mother’s Day gift reflect the mom you know, the child you are. But with all the billions of mother-child relationships, how can you get that gift just right? That is why God created Eighth Street. It is here on this happy corridor that fabulous, individual Mother’s Day gifts can be created to reflect your unique relationship with your unique mother.
for playful moms. And check out the collectibles – crystal paperweights, pens and even journals for reflective moms. Down the street at Sweet Magnolia (703 Eighth St. SE) there are sweet girlie cards full of flowers and frills as well as a store full of adorable feminine gifts. At Homebody (715 Eighth St. SE), you’ll find crisp contemporary cards, blank-onthe-inside, ready for your customized contemporary message and an
Don’t Forget Mom’s Other ‘Child’
Possibly Mom had such a good time raising you and your brother that she continues to mother a four- footed child. If this is the case, add a gift certificate from
Start with the Card
So many choices! Groovy dc (428 Eighth St. SE) is loaded with Mother’s Day cards – especially funny ones
ABOVE: Dennis of Groovy DC shows off a Soap Gift Set by Mudlark. Photos by Andrew Lightman. LEFT: A Tree Candelabra at Homebody. ABOVE: Leah holds at terracotta bowl at Hill’s Kitchen. RIGHT: This Chinese trivet at Sweet Magnolia says, “Happiness.” 78 ★ HillRag | May 2009
Pawticulars – think customized doggie beds (407 Eighth St. SE), or Chateau-Animaux – think gorgeous doggie treats (524 Eighth St. SE), or Dogma – think doggie daycare (821 Virginia Ave. SE) or Valarie’s Animal Den – think doggie boarding with pleasant neighborhood walks also available (737 Eighth St. SE).
Think Outside of the Box
Many moms have boxes of photos of kids and grandkids. Today she may dote on her dog, but remember, that pup is a stand-in for you. And she very much remembers when you were her pup. That box of photos is a treasure to her. So help her get her favorite people out of the box and onto the mantel. Give her the gift of framing. Do it yourself at Frame of Mine (522 Eighth St. SE), for an extra personal “made it just for you, Mom” message. Frame of Mine also offers custom work, as does Fulton Framing (722 I St. SE) and Attitude Exact (739 Eighth St. SE). While in those shops, take a look at the art. If mom is a collector, these shops can help you acquire the perfect new piece for her.
Perhaps Mom Loves to Cook... Or Not
If you have a mom who loves to cook, then go directly to Hill’s Kitchen (713 D St. SE). Brimming with gadgets and staffed with experts who know how to use them, Mom will be impressed not only with your gift but the fact that you know what it does and how it works. Or maybe your mom hates to cook. Well, Eighth Street was made for such a mom. Where shall we begin? Barracks Row’s latest restaurant, Cava (527 Eighth St. SE), is already well known for the “Best Greek Food in DC” at their Rockville location. It’s a safe bet that the Eighth Street location will follow suit. In fact, if mom likes Mediterranean, try a trio of restaurants – appetizers at Café 8 (424 Eighth St. SE) where Turkish dips abound and then on to Greek Mezze (tasting plates) at Cava and finish the evening in Italy at Trattoria Alberto (506 Eighth St. SE) for tiramisu. Whatever your Mom’s favorite cuisine, chances are Eighth Street’s international lineup of eateries will have it. For that extra special day-long experience put together a day out with mom: start with a restaurant adventure – maybe swanky Molly Malone’s (713 Eighth St. SE) or hotspot Matchbox (521 Eighth St. SE) or Euro-themed Belga Cafe (514 Eighth St. SE); then move on to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Mother’s Day tour of 15 neighborhood homes and gardens all within walking distance of Eighth Street (a shuttle bus is provided, too). All are open on Saturday and Sunday of Mother’s Day weekend. Visit www. chrs.org for more information.
Mom Makeover
We end with the obvious choice: makeovers! A major makeover might begin at the gym – Curves (407-B Eighth St. SE) would be the move to make if mom has wanted to start an exercise program. All women and all fun, Curves is the perfect way to get back in shape and meet new friends, too. However, if it’s a cosmetic makeover you have in mind, we have many options. The entire hair and beauty spectrum is well covered on Barracks Row: My Hair Suite (404 Eighth St. SE), Skin Beauty Lounge (404 Eighth St. SE), Patou Personalized Beauty Care (709 D St. SE) and Bouvier International (711 D St. SE) can each provide makeover magic, often including massages and facials. So this year let Barracks Row Eighth Street deliver. Your mom’s best Mother’s Day present is right here. We only need you to find it, seal it with a kiss and give it to her on May 10! Sharon Bosworth is events and marketing manager at Barracks Row Main Street. For questions or to volunteer, call 202-544-3188 or e-mail execdirect@barracksrow.org. ★
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