Mother's Day in Groningen, tips, gifts and more!

Mother's Day is a holiday celebrated in honor of motherhood and the influence mothers have on society. Mother's Day is usually celebrated in March, April, or May, but this varies by country. In many parts of the world, including the Netherlands and Belgium, Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday in May.

The History of Mother's Day

For the most recent history of Mother's Day, we need to look to America.
It was the American Anna Jarvis (1864 – 1948), a single teacher from Philadelphia, who began Mother's Day in 1914. She admired her own mother and the role mothers played in society. She herself remained single and never became a mother. When her own mother passed away on May 9, 1905, she organized a "General Memorial Day of All Mothers" on the first Sunday after her mother's day of passing the following year. How beautiful is that?

It wasn't until 1914 that "Mother's Day" became an official holiday in America. All mothers received flowers on this day. 

In ancient Greece, Mother's Day was celebrated during the 'spring festival' in honor of the goddess Rhea, the mother of the gods Zeus, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, and Hades.  
In ancient Rome, Mother's Day was celebrated in honor of Cybele, the mother goddess associated with fertility and the protection of nature. 

'Yeah or Neah' for Mother's Day

Do you celebrate Mother's Day or not? Do you buy something for your mother or do you spoil her? Do you ensure she has no obligations that day? Then we might have some fun tips for you. If you're not a fan of this specific day, just use our tips for yourself and get inspired to do something fun with friends in Groningen. We'll list our tips for Mother's Day and what to do on Mother's Day in Groningen for you.

Making Mother's Day Memories in Groningen

You can of course shower your mother with all kinds of gifts, but the best thing is to make memories together with the whole family. There are many options. How do you make Mother's Day in Groningen a lasting memory?

Breakfast in Bed for Mother's Day in Groningen

If you still live at home, you can make breakfast for your mother yourself. Bake a delicious croissant and slice fresh fruit. Serve with a nice cup of tea or coffee, her favorite flower in a vase, and she will be very happy! At least, if you don't wake her up too early ;-) Martha Stewart presents here a more professional way to spoil your mother with food!

it If you don't live at home, you can also have her a breakfast delivered in the city of Groningen. Companies that do this are: Noorderland Breakfast Service and Het Hoge Noorden Breakfast Service. Did you forget? Maybe you can still order.

Are you too late? Then book breakfast at PAAIS, they are closed for breakfast delivery during the Ascension weekend but you can just do it later or go to Paais and enjoy their delicious homemade cakes, coffee, and tea! Personally, we have had very good experiences here, as they work with the most delicious regional products and pay a lot of attention to presentation. Local and delicious!

Bloemenwereld, flowers in Groningen

Flowers have always played an important role since the inception of Mother's Day. During Anne Jarvis's time, carnations were the main focus on Mother's Day. Nowadays, the flower trade achieves its highest turnover of the year in the days leading up to Mother's Day. Roses remain popular on Mother's Day, but other types of flowers are also given. The most beautiful bouquets are available at Bloemenwereld. The enterprising couple Fleur and Dennis have had a beautiful stall on Hereweg in the city center of Groningen since 2004, and a wonderful team that can help you with the most beautiful bouquets and more. For Mother's Day, queues may form, so be there on time!

The flower shop at Bordewijklaan 1 in Groningen is beautiful and here you will find many flowers and plants and will be fully inspired for a colorful Mother's Day! There is also an online shop. Check the website here.

High Tea in Groningen

For a nice high tea, there are many places you can go in the city of Groningen. You can reserve fun high teas at Hotel Prinsenhof, the Feithhuis, and the Market Hotel. And then you can of course go shopping together. Later we will make a nice list of all the locations for high tea in Groningen.
Do you have an active mother who also loves water? Then go to the Scandinavian Village together and enjoy the view over the Paterswoldse lake during your high tea. Book your high tea here. 

Active Mother's Day Tips in Groningen

Are you opting for an active day and want to do something after your high tea? At the Paterswoldse lake, for example, you can rent a nice sloop and sail over the water. You can also take a city walk with your mother through the city of Groningen and combine this with a little or a lot of shopping. The interactive walks by Puutje are fun! Check out the options here.

You can also take a walk with a guide, in which case we would recommend a guided walk by the Groninger Gidsenteam. They will take you and your mother to the most unique spots. Perhaps you can combine it with a night at the Hotel Corps de Garde?

Groningen from the Water

In addition to actively operating your own sloop, for example from Jachthaven Reitdiep or conveniently located in the city, the sloop rental at the Herebrug, there are also options to enjoy a drink and the view from a tour boat. For this, we recommend Rondvaartbedrijf Kooi, this family business is a household name in the city of Groningen and the first boat was called the Pronkjewail and started sailing in 1969. The canals of the city of Groningen are beautiful and it's just a calming experience. If the weather isn't so good, you'll stay dry on the tour boat, and they open the roof in good weather.

Lutje Lokaal in Groningen

Ladies love shoes and shoes love ladies. If this statement resonates with you, then take a look with your mother at Mary Jane Schoenenboetiek.
Do you love color and style? They have fitting clothes and beautiful brands, so you can really make an impression.

Walking Routes by Lutje Lokaal

Additionally, it's very nice to walk one of the Lutje Lokale routes, because you'll pass by all kinds of unique shops and avoid the big chain stores in the city of Groningen. You absolutely don't want to miss this. They have special shopping routes that cater to your preferences! Think of 'coffee, tea, and treats', 'living, lifestyle & accessories', the 'boutiques route', and many more options! Check out this link for more information.

Each route has a Google Maps map that leads to the participating shops. Extremely fun to do for yourself and you're supporting the local Groningen (creative) entrepreneurs.

Mother's Day wellness in Groningen

Would you like to go into chill- mode after your walk? It might be nice to pamper yourself and experience a small-scale wellness. In the Zwanestraat, you can visit BFQ for Wellness, hair, and beauty. For example, you can book a duo treatment.

Zen with Fen

If you'd like to enjoy a relaxing massage in a homely atmosphere, we absolutely recommend Zen with Fen. Fenna offers much more than just relaxation massages, including retreats, mindfit, and you can read about it on her website Zen with Fen. Don't forget to book your massage right away. There might still be availability in May if you're lucky!  

Other suggestions for Mother's Day in Groningen

Do you want to experience something nice together in the city of Groningen? What about a workshop at 050 Drukwerk or strolling around the Groninger Museum, followed by a delicious lunch at one of the many lunchrooms in the city center of Groningen. Here you will find a lot of nice ideas for Mother's Day in Groningen, and how to make it an unforgettable day for you and your mother.

Three Creative Workshops for Mother's Day in Groningen

If you'd like to get creative with your mother, plan a fun workshop, for example, making ceramics. You'll create a lasting memory and have something tangible to take home! We have several suggestions here in the city of Groningen. We'll list three for you!

1. Artsy Avenue  is a newcomer but very nice! 
2. Crea Rosa Ceramics Studio where you can work with clay, learn to shape and glaze. Check out your options here because besides ceramic workshops, they also offer fun courses: 
3. Jewelry making, if you want to make quality jewelry together with your mother? From Silver or Gold? Then we recommend booking a workshop at Heart Stuff Atelier. 

Shopping Tips for Mother's Day in Groningen

We've listed a number of nice shops and shopping streets for you to shop for a unique gift for your mother or to go with your mother!

• Walhalla is unique in its kind in the city of Groningen. A shop with multiple stores in one. Its own candle workshop, fun home accessories, wish banners, vintage, and nice items from Loeks Rariteiten, Hedgehog and Balloon, and Good Vibez ltd. 
   
• That unique bag that nobody else has, you'll find it at Pluimage. They also make jewelry here and Jacquelien Sluis also works on commission from her own studio. 

You can't miss the shops in the Zwanestraat with your mother or buy your Mother's Day gift here!  You have a beautiful kitchenware store called Cookinglife  where you can buy, for example, very nice leather placemats. Or cute coasters, stylish! 

In addition, you'll find a number of places here that you don't want to miss, including Sari Butik  with beautiful interior items, accessories, and  lovely fashion!

Shoppingstreets and suggestions for Mothersday in Groningen

Additionally, we recommend visit the Gelkingestraat and Folkingestraat and just outside the center, there's a cute shop with curiosities, vintage items, and beautiful bouquets. Boutique homely shop De Nieuwe Kijk. In the neighborhood, you can then reserve a table at Café Lily or have a nice drink. This will be a real culinary treat for your mother!

• Other shops worth a visit are Artishock  for beautiful brands such as Cambio, High, Drykorn, and many more. And very important: you'll receive honest and personal advice.

• For beautiful lingerie and swimwear, go to Scholma Lingerie. Brands like Prima Donna, Anita, Marie Jo, and Mey are available here. You can also go here for mammary care and breast prosthesis bikinis, swimsuits, and tankinis. For over 60 years, Scholma has been the specialty store for lingerie and is a certified mammacare provider.

• Or have you ever thought about buying a beautiful duvet cover at Roezen or a wonderful set of towels, a beautiful bathrobe? The choice is enormous. You can also buy delicious duvets there. There's no rush in this store, you'll receive good advice, and coffee is ready. Want it easy and fast? Then you can also order from them online via the webshop.

Enjoying Drinks with Your Mother in Groningen

• End your day at the delightful dinner café Soestdijk with a glass of wine and a snack platter or the daily special. Especially for Mother's Day, there's a little bubble!

• At Barrel Wine, you want to be with your mom. Here, you'll grab a table on their terrace and enjoy the best wines. Especially for wine lovers and bon vivants. But often, there's also a bite available. Owners Martijn and Inge  and their team are specialists in delicious wines and matching snacks.

Cultural Mother's Day in Groningen 2024

You can still get tickets to go with your mother to Onder de Vulkaan with the theme 'Myths, Muses, People'. in Grand Theatre Groningen. You can also visit the exhibition of the recently deceased photographer Erwin Olaf, but there are still many other beautiful exhibitions currently at the Groninger Museum.

In summary, Groningen is a really fun and diverse city to visit with your mother. Suitable for the shopping mother, the relaxed mother, the beauty queens, the active mother, and the culinary mother. But above all, a city suitable for those who love life! With our tips, you can find a lot of inspiration for your Mother's Day shopping in the city of Groningen. Feel welcome to come celebrate Mother's Day in Groningen!