Columnist Muriel Stevens: Plenty of gift ideas for Mom

Wednesday, May 2, 2001 | 8:25 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

Show Mom how special you think she is with a sweet gift on Mother's Day, which is May 13.

Ethel M chocolates knows all about honoring mothers. In 1981 when Forrest Mars Sr. opened his premium chocolate factory in Henderson he named the chocolates after his mother, Ethel.

Twenty years later Ethel M is still Southern Nevada's premiere chocolatier. I always send visitors to this wonderful showplace -- not only for the chocolates, but for the remarkable cactus gardens.

The gift shop is another "must see," and it is here that free samples of the chocolates are offered. There are now more than 60 varieties of chocolate.

And the candy shop is filled with gift selections galore in a wide range of prices.

Some suggestions: City Garden Tower, a three-box tier of the most-requested chocolates capped with a charming antique watering can ($45); spunky little chenille bears dressed for Mother's Day, bearing rich milk chocolates (each, $17.50); a captivating Miss Petunia bear in a beribboned white-picket wishing-well basket with a selection of truffle hearts ($35); long-stemmed chocolate roses, almost too pretty to eat, ($24 for six; $45 per dozen).

Available only by catalog are a choice of frosted-glass pedestal vases ideal for holding chocolate roses or "pansies."

The mail-order and Internet catalog is filled with gift suggestions for Mother's Day, spring or any special occasion.

It's hard to resist such colorful enticements as the butterfly-design gift bag filled with exotic fruit-flavored jelly beans ($3.50). Tuck one of these jelly-bean butterflies into any gift basket.

Pick up a catalog at any Ethel M outlet, or visit the factory for a full-blown view of the all the marvelous goodies.

More chocolate: Just in time for Mother's Day, See's Candies has announced a new line of gourmet truffles. Available now, the rich confections are packaged in a gold keepsake box with a hinged lid -- $30, 1-pound selection; $15, half-pound box.

See's truffles come in a variety of flavors. Among them are cafe au lait, apricot, Bordeau, key lime, chocolate raspberry and black walnut.

Mother's Day online: Red Envelope catalog guarantees delivery of Mother's Day gifts ordered as late as May 10 (catalog prices are guaranteed through July 1).

Many wonderful pampering gifts; bed trays, a feather and down bed lounge for reading in bed (love this terrific design), a shower radio and CD combo, a Japanese bath kit packed in a woven wooden box and a juniper Bansai tree planted in a crackle-celadon porcelain planter. Call (877) 733-3683 or visit RedEnvelope.com.

Peter Pan Day at Saks Fifth Avenue: Saks Fifth Avenue will honor Nevada Ballet Theater on Thursday, 1-4 p.m., with Peter Pan Day. The beloved classic will appear at the Rio's Samba Theatre May 12-13. Bring the family to Saks for a preview Peter Pan performance and an opportunity to have photos taken with favorite Peter Pan characters. All great fun.