Don’t tell a mom she looks tired; she already knows that. Tell her she’s doing a great job; she might not know that.
Yesterday was the first morning my 12-year-old left the house for school without giving me a hug. I had my back to him at the stove after an argument and he said “Well ‘bye then,” and walked out the door. I turned around in time to see his red sweatshirt flapping in the wind as rounded the corner of our neighbour’s garage and out of sight. My heart’s breaking all over again just thinking about it. 😭 Was I too hard on him? Should I have called him back? It’s been nagging at me ever since. A lot of days I don’t even feel like I’m doing a good job as a mother, nevermind great. But I know I’m not alone. That’s why I like to send cards to my mom friends on Mother’s Day and small gifts where I can. Because they are doing a great job! And I’m sure they don’t hear it enough. Thursday I shared what I’m sending my mom for Mother’s Day and today a look at what I’m giving my bestie. It’s the Girl Power Gift Box from Foodiepages. Maybe you’ll want to gift one too.
Foodiepages curates gift boxes featuring the best sips, eats and treats from some of my favourite Canadian makers and small businesses. They specialize in corporate gift boxes but you don’t have to be a biz to appreciate (and gift!) their fabulous selection for virtually every occasion.
The Girl Power Gift Box is part of their Mother’s Day collection. This one is $65 CAD + shipping and ships Canada-wide. (Most Foodiespages boxes ship worldwide.) The Mother’s Day collection ranges from $65 to $125. Use the code SMALLTHINGS to save $10 off your order from the Mother’s Day collection.
If you’d like to include a note, Foodiepages will tuck your greeting inside. I love that they’ve written my message by hand. Feels more personal than something spit out by a printer. It’s the little things, you know?
To Cathy,
“Parenting is one obstacle after another. But like literally, because no one every puts anything away.”
Put this away and have a Happy Mother’s Day! (Or at least a happy hour.)
Love, Julie xo
Each box comes with a pretty product card with a guide to the contents on one side and a $10 discount to Foodiepages on the other. I’ve included the product descriptions in italics below.
Sparkling Brut · Château des Charmes · Château des Charmes was founded in 1978 by Paul Bosc, a fifth-generation French winegrower. Paul and his young family arrived in Niagara in the 1960s with the idea that growing their own grapes was the best way to make fine wine. The Brut is a classic blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made in the traditional method. The creamy texture is punctuated by fine, persistent bubbles.
Crème Brûlée Postcard Chocolat Bar · Alicja Confections · Alicja Confections is most known for their Postcard Chocolate Bars — chocolate bars you can send in the letter mail using only one $1.94 letter mail stamp in Canada. Since 2015, they’ve sent over 25,000 bars in the mail!
24K Gold Hydrogel Face Mask · Radford · Inspired by her 15-year experience in beauty and holistic medicine, Victoria Radford has designed a new approach to skincare and makeup. Her signature Hydrogel masks have powerful ingredients for cell regeneration including Hyaluronic Acid, Carob Seed and Sea Moss.
Sugar Cookie · Lindsey Bakes · Lindsey Gazel is a Toronto-based baker and a fabulous cookie decorator. From Seinfeld’s iconic living room set, athleisure ensembles, to eye-catching fashion inspiring by runway collections, Lindsey creates a sweet escape with her cookies.
A bubbly bevvie, a fantastic face mask, some creamy chocolate and a cookie that says exactly what I’m thinking: YOU ARE AWESOME! (Also: you’re a fantastic mom, Cathy, and I’m so lucky to have you for a friend. 🤗) Foodiepages’ Girl Power Gift Box has all of my bestie’s favourite things, and supports Canadian makers at the same time. Check out the full Mother’s Day collection (I want this one for me!) and use the code SMALLTHINGS to save $10 off your order.
I purchased Foodiepages’ Girl Power Gift Box.
try small things 
5 responses to “Spoil-her alert! 🚨 What I’m giving my bestie for Mother’s Day and other great gift boxes for the incredible moms in your life 🇨🇦”
Comment 2:
That boy of yours loves you so much! I know it! You’re his go to person. You’re also safe to be grumpy with because he knows your love is unconditional. Remember- you love him enough for both of you. Thank goodness because the next couple years will put that to the test over and over 😂 (don’t shoot the messenger 😂)
Of course I’m an idiot and late as always and only just now am seeing this and your comments about me and our friendship. Damn we try hard to be good moms – and personally I think we succeed even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes. Years ago I read a blog post about a couple of bloggers that inspired you when you first started your blog. I stumbled across much like this – by accident. And was humbled when I was listed as one of them. Since then our friendship has gone from mostly online fellow bloggers to a strong lasting IRL one. So lucky to have you as a friend! I know what it’s like to resist your sweetness. Impossible not to love you. Everyone sees and loves it even if you don’t. We all need friends to have our backs and remind us that we are awesome … moms, friends, people. Xo
Love this so much!!!
Life is unfair – How come all mother have a built in guilty conscience? I bet your sweet son didn’t give your argument a second thought once he got out the door while you carried it around all day, until he was home for a double hug.
Love all the goodies in your special Mother’s Day gift, even before I see it first hand….and as always love your pics and feel the heart ache with your commentary…see feel guilty and I’m not even there. xoxoxo
Awww thank you. I *still* feel terrible about it! 🤗🤗🤗 xoxox