Mothers are often the multitaskers-in-chief of the home, capable of getting the job done — and then some. Haul the kiddos to school? Got it. Stock the fridge for dinner? Sure thing. Need a shoulder to cry on? Here’s a tissue. So they deserve something special on Mother’s Day, beyond the bouquet you picked up at the grocery store. Make sure you’re prepped for May 14 with a gift from one of these local shops.
Wldwst
This space does double-duty as a shop and design center, and its distinct finds always delight. Consider picking up a hand-painted tumbler and coffee pour-over set by Mancuso Ceramics, based out of the Outer Banks (a destination in our Carolinas feature on p. 62), and Woodstock-based Aperture Coffee Roasters’ custom Wldwst Wakeup blend with whole beans from El Salvador and Ethiopia — a perfect pair. 2B Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg
Arielle Shoshana
Give your mom new “scentsations” with a fragrance from this family-run business in the Mosaic District, which offers rare luxury perfumes — plus signature creations from the shop’s perfumer, Cécile Hua, a mother herself. Among them are Friday (honeysuckle), Saturday (passion fruit), and Sunday (matcha green tea). We find Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Dear Polly irresistible. 2920 District Ave., Ste. 145, Fairfax
Details
Beloved for its lineup of cute Nora Fleming mini pottery (like a bubbly Champagne Celebration piece) and jewelry from the likes of UNOde50, Details reminds shoppers that it’s all about the little things. Case in point: The HOBO Sable wristlet, with its circular handle, is a cool clutch for a mom’s night out — sans kiddos. 6590 Jefferson St., Haymarket
Le Village Marché
The 16-year-old French-inspired Shirlington shop from Angela Phelps delivers très chic products, including a sweet cherry blossom tea tumbler and infuser; a Strawberry Fields tray handmade in Sweden out of laminated paper and birchwood; and a “Bonjour, Shirlington” tea towel — for the mom who truly loves where she lives. 2800 S. Randolph St., Ste. 110-A, Arlington
Manse
Set slightly away from the bustle of King Street on Corsair Alley, this whimsical boutique houses one-of-a-kind, artisan-made goods curated by owners Andrew Coon and Adam Howley. Among the finds are Trudon candles carved into busts of famous figures and an Italian ceramic tulipiere that makes arranging florals easy. Remember, Mom doesn’t need a task on her special day. 113 S. Columbus St., Corsair Alley entrance, Alexandria
The Urban Farmhouse
Perhaps you should bring mom to this store, housed in a circa-1900s farmhouse in Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood. Sarah Allen, a former lawyer and mom of two boys, took over the space in 2021. Her recommendation? Handmade soaps and bath soaks from CMS Supply Co., a woman-owned business based in Alexandria. “Her husband always hand-delivers our orders,” says Allen. 5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Feature photo by Christin Boggs Peyper
This story originally ran in our May issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.