Treats for mom

Sweets for the sweet

BUDGET

What could be more classic than the bright yellow-boxed Whitman’s Sampler? Bring Mom back to her elementary school days with a box from CVS, 30842 S. Coast Highway, that includes Vermont fudge, a cashew cluster, toffee chips and a molasses chew.

Price: $8.99

Tel: (949) 499-2277

MID-RANGE

At the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 248 S. Coast Highway, fruit reigns. Caramel apples are taken to a whole new level with rainbow sprinkle, Snickers or cheesecake varieties; they start at $4.50. As a Mother’s Day special, get a free chocolate-dipped strawberry when you purchase six (they’re $18.95/lb). And chocolate-covered cherries are only $.85 each.

Price: About $25 for one pound of chocolate-covered strawberries, one caramel apple and a chocolate-covered cherry.

Tel: (949) 497-6775

LUXURY

At La Rue du Chocolat, 448 S. Coast Highway, Suite B, one can purchase a delicate chocolate gondola — not too large for its fat content to be overly intimidating, and not too small. Think a luxe version of an Easter bunny, with more truffle bits and less pink sugar buttons.

Price: $50

Tel: (949) 494-2372

Gifts from the heart

BUDGET

At Judy Kelly’s new Pure Light store, 821 Laguna Canyon Rd., moms or gift-givers can create their own unique candles, customizing their own scents, colors and embellishments, starting at $12 for a small candle, and adding on costs for each added customization.

Price: $20 for a well-customized candle

Tel: (949) 376-7200

MID-RANGE

At Duet, 290 Forest Ave., 100% hand-dyed Shiborigirl Studios silk scarves by textile artisan Glennis Dolce start at $90 and go up to $240 for the more embellished, custom designs. The textile art fashion store also carries tailored silk jackets, couture gowns and everything in between.

Price: $90 to $240 for a silk scarf

Tel: (949) 376-7999

LUXURY

All the loving advice mothers give should be sent back their way, as well. Art for the Soul, 272 Forest Ave., offers a series of large, vibrantly colorful wooden “Follow Your Heart” wall mirrors, containing pieces of wisdom like “set goals,” “be creative” and “cherish your family” — sure to delight. Also check out the sentiment signs that contain messages like “With each year you grow more wonderful” and “My grandmother is an angel in disguise”, $18 each.

Price: $799 for a “Follow Your Heart” mirror

Tel: (949) 497-8700

A day at the spa

BUDGET

The Bubbles of Laguna Bath and Body Shop, 445 S. Coast Highway, offers a do-it-yourself approach at its Blending Bar, where you can bring Mom in to make her own custom bath product, or surprise her with a replication of a favorite obsolete perfume. Options at the Blending Bar include custom lotion, body wash, bubble bath and massage oil; dozens of scents range from ylang-ylang to verbena to hibiscus, and can be captured as single notes or blended into a new scent. The store has also created a variety of pre-made gift baskets to suit all budgets.

Price: $12 per custom bath product at the Blending Bar; basket prices vary

Tel: (949) 494-1417

MID-RANGE

At either of Athena Day Spa’s two locations, (611 or 2007 S. Coast Highway), an Escape package gets Mom one and a half hours of bliss — more specifically, a back, neck and shoulder massage; an express facial; and a foot reflexology session.

Price: $175

Tel: (949) 376-7918 (611 So. Coast Highway) or (949) 715-0225 (2007 S. Coast Highway)

LUXURY

Spa Montage, 30801 So. Coast Highway, offers a variety of “Surrender” packages. A popular one for moms-to-be is the full-day Pre-Natal Surrender, custom-designed to address each woman’s specific needs. After a beach walk and stretching session, she is treated to a facial, massage, lunch, marine wrap and private yoga and meditation instruction. The robe she wears during the treatments becomes a parting gift.

Price: $1,382

Tel: (949) 715-6010

Tea, Sympathy and Mimosas

BUDGET

What could be more fun than serving breakfast in bed? Wild Oats, 283 Broadway, has everything you need for a healthful — and yummy — brunch.

Begin with store-brand natural orange juice with added calcium, $3.49 for 64 oz. Add a pound of bulk organic cinnamon spice granola, $3.69, to your choice of Brown Cow yogurt (there are 25 varieties from boysenberry to creamy coffee), just $.89 per cup — buy one for each participant. Top with blueberries from a six-ounce Driscolls fresh pack, $4.99. Eat, swallow, repeat.

Price: $3.93 per person for a family of four

Tel: (949) 376-7888

MID-RANGE

Mandarin Fine Art Gallery, 1294 S. Coast Highway, will host a Mother’s Day Rose Tea Party from 1:30 to 4:30 Saturday. Tea ceremony artist and Feng Shui consultant Jun Wei will officiate, offering Feng Shui and beauty tips while attendees nosh on cookies and Rose Beauty Balancing Feng Shui Tea. Reservations are recommended.

Price: $15 per person

Tel: (949) 376-9608

LUXURY

Hush, 858 S. Coast Highway, will hold a three-course brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Starters include ahi tuna tartare or tomato salad; entrees range from eggs Benedict to filet mignon; and dessert can be berry cobbler or a chocolate souffle.

Price: $55 adults, $20 children 12 and under

Tel: (949) 497-3616