Looking for a special gift to give to your one-and-only mom this Mother's Day? We’ve assembled our favourite ideas that won’t break the bank and that your mom is certain to love! Frame a favourite family photo. In the digital age, it seems we rarely take the time to process photos anymore. But there’s something lovely about a framed photo, and if it’s a well-composed photo of the family -- perhaps professionally done, or one taken on vacation -- we guarantee your mom will love it. Or, take it a step further and make an album for your mom -- photos from a recent trip or a week at the cottage. She’ll love flipping through it and remembering what a great time you had. A hobby-inspired gift. Does your mom love to garden? Buy her a new pair of gardening gloves, a gardening tool or two, and some seed packets or seedlings. If your mom is active, head to the sporting goods store and pick up an accessory or two based on the sport of her choice. If she loves yoga, buy her a few drop-in classes. If your mom loves to cook, pair a new cookbook with a few fun kitchen accessories. A gift based on something you know she loves to do is thoughtful and will be appreciated. Give your mom a spa day at home. I’m sure we’d all love to treat our moms to a luxurious spa retreat, but those can be expensive. It’s easy to give your mom a spa day at home – buy some scented bubble bath or bath salts, an individually-packed facial masque, some moisturizer, and a new nail colour for her fingers and/or toes. Bump up the experience with her favourite magazines, herbal tea, and a healthy spa-inspired lunch. A book or magazine subscription. Reading can be a luxury for the busy mom. So give her a good book or magazine, and, perhaps more importantly, make sure she has some down time that day to turn a few pages. Looking for a good read for Mom? Head on over to our Cityline Book Club for a few suggestions! A summery tote. Buying a new bag for Mom can be expensive, but with a tote it doesn’t have to be. Totes are endlessly practical, and because they’re often less expensive, you can find one in a bright, summery shade. We love bright oranges, crisp apple greens, and rosy pinks – but you know your mom best. Pick a shade and style you think would appeal to her. Make your mom breakfast in bed. It’s true that homemade gifts are the best – especially when that homemade gift is breakfast in bed. We’ve got great ideas on how to do breakfast in bed for your mom, including recipe suggestions, right here! What are you doing for your mom this Mother’s Day! Share your ideas in the comments below!

Mother’s Day is coming up and, well, our mothers have already given us the best gift we could possibly have: unconditional love. Now it’s Mom's turn to feel completely spoiled. An idea we'll never tire of is serving Mom breakfast in bed -- have Dad help! Here's a list of ideas to help you get started on preparing breakfast in bed for Mom. (These are just a few tips to enhance your already-perfect breakfast in bed. Your mom will feel the love no matter what!) Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed First you will need a serving tray. A long rectangular platter or decorative tray is best -- check around your kitchen first, as your mom probably already owns one. If you can't find one around the house, inexpensive ones can be found at dollar stores. Homemade card Store-bought cards are of course always nice to receive as well, but there’s something about homemade cards that say, "I love you." Place it on the breakfast platter with a personal message written inside -- so your mom truly knows how special she is. A decoratively-folded linen napkin How to:

• Use a linen or cotton napkin -- a decorative tea towel could work, too.
• Fold the napkin in half to make a triangle, leave about an inch of space between two top tips of the napkin.
• Next, place the butter knife horizontally on the napkin, leaving a good inch at bottom. Place the fork on top on the knife.
• Roll the flat end of the napkin over top of the cutlery until it is covered, then fold in the sides of then napkin on top of the utensils.
• Holding the folded sides down, continue to roll the cutlery toward the top tip of the napkin until the entire napkin is wrapped around the cutlery.
• You will notice the tip of the triangle, roll up tight and place the tip of the triangle face down when you put the cutlery down to hold the napkin in place.
• Voila! It looks like you've got the napkin from a restaurant.

Her favourite magazine or book Place your mom’s favourite book or magazine beside her breakfast to read while she enjoys her coffee and breakfast. Flowers Flowers are a great way to instantly brighten up someone’s morning. Place some spring flowers in a pretty vase on the breakfast platter. A clear drinking glass can function as a vase. Coffee, tea or orange juice Whatever your mom's preference! If she likes bubbly, consider turning that orange juice into a mimosa! Fruit salad Not only is it healthy, it looks beautiful on a plate. Prepare a yummy and colourful fruit salad to start off her breakfast. This way, she won't feel as guilty if you follow up the fruit salad with pancakes or French toast! Here are a few ideas on what to include -- again, use what you know your mom likes! Ingredients:

• Strawberries/blueberries/raspberries/blackberries
• Orange/tangerine/blood orange
• Cantaloupe/honeydew melon
• Pineapple
• Grapes (red or green seedless)

Method:

• Cut up your fruit and place it all in a bowl. These fruits are full of colour and will make a beautiful fruit salad. The natural juices of the fruit will form juice in the bottom of the bowl. No need to add sugar!

OR, try a Yogurt parfait Ingredients:

• Fruit of your choice (example, blueberries, cut up strawberries)
• Your mom’s favourite yogurt
• Granola

Method:

• Place yogurt into a bowl. Add granola on top and then the fruit.

You’re going to need a meal to accompany your fruit salad or yogurt parfait. Try these Egg and toast tartlets from Claire Tansey. This recipe is extremely quick, easy and delicious! Your mom will be impressed with this one. If your mom has more of a sweet tooth in the morning, try out Pancake Tacos from the Sweet Potato Chronicles ladies. This recipe is meant to be so easy that your kids can cook with you. If you want something even simpler… go for a soft boiled egg with toast slices. Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 or 2 pieces of bread
• pinch of salt
• butter

Method:

• Bring water to a rapid boil, add a touch of salt.
• Boil egg for 5 minutes.
• Strain water and place egg in cold water for 2 minutes.
• Peel and place the egg in an egg holder if you have one, or a small bowl that will support it.
• Cut the top off so that the soft yolk is revealed.
• Toast a piece of bread and cut into slices to dip into the yolk!

Hmm...we think there's still something missing. Ah, yes. Bacon! Why not pair your mom’s breakfast with some maple fennel bacon -- this recipe is irresistibly yummy. So don’t forget to spoil your mom this Mother’s Day like she spoils you every day. We hope that our tips and ideas help you prepare a divine breakfast in bed that your mom will love. No matter how complicated or simple you go, your mom will be thrilled and feel the love. Happy Mother's Day!  

This impressive-looking dessert from Chef Jason Parsons is fruity, spicy, sweet, and tart, all at the same time! Habanero balsamic glazed berry & lemon custard tart Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh mixed berries (strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry)
• 1 tbsp habanero sugar (1 tbsp fine sugar & a pinch of chopped habanero)
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 3 lemons, zested
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Pinch salt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4 small pastry tart shells (baked)

Method: In a thick-bottomed pan, add the sugar and slowly melt over medium heat. Once the sugar starts to brown, add the balsamic vinegar. This will clump up but continue to warm on medium heat and stir until it becomes smooth and thick. Remove from the heat, add in the berries and roll them around until completely coated. Set aside for later. Pour the milk and a 1/4 cup of sugar into a pot and warm over low heat. In a stainless steel bowl, mix the egg yolks, remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, salt and cornstarch. Whisk well and then slowly add the warm milk mix to the eggs. At this point, add in the zest from two lemons and juice from one lemon. Once everything is mixed together, return to the pot and continue to cook over medium heat. Make sure continuously stir while cooking. After approximately 2 to 3 minutes the mix should thicken up. Once the mix can coat the back of a spoon, remove from the heat. Strain into a container, cover with plastic wrap and chill. When the lemon custard is chilled, fill the tart shells with custard and top with the glazed berries. Finish with zest from one lemon and the mint leaves. Serve immediately. Makes 4 individual tarts. [embed]bcid:3479089673001[/embed] Courtesy Jason Parsons Peller Estates @chefparsons

This fresh spring fruit lends a delightful tart kick to any cocktail -- try this twist on an amaretto sour! Rhubarb sour cocktail Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped fresh rhubarb, about 120 g
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp amaretto
• 2 maraschino cherries
• 2 thin orange slices

Method: Combine rhubarb with water, sugar and lemon juice in a blender. Purée until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a cocktail shaker. Add amaretto and a handful of ice. Shake for 10 seconds, then pour into  2 cocktail glasses. Garnish with  a maraschino cherry and an orange slice. Serves 2 | Prep 5 min | Total 5 min [embed]bcid:3452233635001[/embed] Courtesy Claire Tansey www.chatelaine.com @chatelaine @tanseyclaire Photo courtesy of Erik Putz

We know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so sometimes we have to give traditional dishes a twist! Try baking your eggs and toast together in this delicious breakfast recipe from Claire Tansey. Egg & toast tartlets Ingredients:

•  12 slices white bread
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 12 small eggs
• 1/8 tsp salt

Method: Preheat oven to 375F. Cut out 12, 5 × 5-in. squares of parchment. Press a parchment square into each cup of a 12-cup muffin pan, or spray with oil. Cut the crusts off bread slices. Use a rolling pin to flatten slices, then press slices into prepared cups to make shells. Spray tops with cooking spray. Toast in center of oven, 5 to 7 minutes. Melt butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and spinach. Cook until spinach wilts, 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon some spinach mixture into each bread shell, sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes over spinach, and crack an egg on top. Season with salt and fresh pepper. Bake in center of oven until egg whites are set but yolks are runny, 15 to 18 minutes. Prep 25 minutes | Total 55 minutes Serves 6 | Per serving 320 calories, 16 g protein, 32 g carbs, 14 g fat, 2 g fiber, 556 mg sodium. Excellent source of folate. [embed]bcid:3335880933001[/embed] Courtesy Claire Tansey www.chatelaine.com @chatelaine @tanseyclaire