Friends, I honestly don’t know how to start this.  This blog has become for some, a place to go to find out where to go out to grab the best burger, meet up with friends or connect with colleagues.  At “Where Work Meets Play” we pride ourselves on making new businesses and activities in Newmarket accessible and giving shout-outs to companies who you might want to work for, or with. 

With COVID-19, things are very different in this landscape.  We are staying home so that we can keep ourselves, our friends and our family safe, but it also means that we aren’t able to go out to support our favourite businesses the way we used to. It also means that when special occasions like Mother’s Day or a birthday arise, we are celebrating from afar and being forced to think of new, unique ways to share how much we love our people. 

So in that light, today’s blog is going to focus on how the Where Work Meets Play community can both show Mom or whoever else you want to celebrate, how much you love them, while also cheering on local Newmarket businesses.  I’ve put together a few ideas I think might be fun for those of us looking for a unique, quarantine approved gift.

Let’s get cooking!

Many of us know that when summer comes around, there’s nothing better than a drink on an amazing patio like the one at Cachet.  While we can’t head to the patio quite yet, you can still make the most of the community at Cachet – and what about gifting that community experience to someone you love. Jen, the owner of Cachet has started an amazing online cooking class experience where you receive a box of ingredients (and your favourite patio beverage) and then join in live for music, prizes and of course, a cooking lesson.  Chefs from all over the world are participating in these amazing events.  And what a great gift as well. If you are missing someone and you’d like to do something together, why not buy two Cachet dinners and spend your evening zooming, cooking and supporting local business. There’s even a Mother’s Day brunch option! Find out more here.

Make mom feel special!

If you are looking for a special gift for mom this Mother’s Day, what about supporting two businesses in one shot.  Vickie and Ken of Good Vibes on Main have put together a collaboration with Blooming Wellies Flowers to give mom both an adorable, positive t-shirt and a bouquet of spring flowers all for only $75.  Contactless delivery is included in the price in Newmarket, Aurora, Bradford and East Gwillimbury. 

Give a gift they can look forward to!

Looking for more fresh ideas? Want to support a local business closed during the pandemic and give yourself or a loved one a special treat to look forward to? What about purchasing a gift card to their favourite shop, salon or service?  I know that post-quarantine I’m going to be spending all my time outside, so a gift card to a cleaning company to take care of my home while I play outside would take the cake. Or what about a day at the spa to relax those muscles after working from home and hours of zooming.  The Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Newmarket have partnered on a gift card program to allow you to gift to your favourite local business.  Click on the button below to grab a gift card from over 60 local businesses today!

These are only a handful of the many, many opportunities to share your love with someone and support a local Newmarket business at this time. Drop your favourite go-to gift shop or Mother’s Day ideas in the comments below! We are going to keep highlighting businesses from our community in this blog, so please stay tuned!

And of course, alongside any gift-purchased or handmade, from far away or just a few houses down, there’s nothing like a bit of virtual connection by phone, FaceTime, Google hang-out or Zoom to make it extra special.

Take care friends.