Columnists Muriel Stevens: Variety highlights Mother’s Day

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 | 9:15 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Reach her at (702) 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

When Anna Jarvis first campaigned for a nationwide celebration of motherhood in 1907, no one gave the idea much thought. But Jarvis persevered and on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made it official.

Mother's Day gifts were simpler then -- a lace-trimmed handkerchief perhaps, or a handmade memento that could be cherished for years. A gift list for Mother's Day 2004 might range from traditional flowers or candy to gourmet herbs to a margarita gift box, with recipe.

Gourmet herbs for moms who cook: Moms who cook will love the ease and convenience of Gourmet Garden Herbs and Spices, now available at such markets as Albertson's and Vons. Look for these ready-to-use, 4-ounce, squeezable, see-through tubes in the produce section ($3.99 each). Garlic, basil, chili, cilantro, ginger and lemongrass flavors are available. For more stores visit www.gourmetgarden.com.

Hot tea: One of my all-time favorite gifts is the Zojurushi hot pot I received some years ago. It's a must for any tea drinker. Water from one of these pots is maintained at the ideal temperature for brewing tea. The International Marketplace at Decatur Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue has a good selection of sizes. Add a sampler of teas from a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf outlet for a total package.

Candy is still dandy: Godiva's Mother's Day collection includes a spa basket with a variety of biscuits (cookies), coffee and chocolates along with a body massager, eye mask and a "Pampering in Progress" door hanger ($52).

See's candies has created a delightful butterfly motif keepsake box available in different sizes. The chocolate sits in a removable box. Eat the candy, remove the box, shake out any chocolate crumbs and you've got See's logo-free Keepsake Butterfly Box.

Ethel M's Denim & Daisy chocolate assortment is a bit of sophisticated country. This charming box is wrapped with sheer, daisy-embossed ribbon and topped with daisies (one-pound assortment, $28). Or design your own Denim and Daisies large ($35) or extra large ($52) candy selection. Fill the box with Mom's favorites.

Tiffany & Co. for Mom: Tiffany & Co. in the shopping promenade at Bellagio offers a selection of small sterling silver gifts, including pens, key rings and other bibelot for under $200. Each gift is wrapped and put into a signature Tiffany blue mini shopping bag.

Cartier cares for Mom: Cartier in the Appian Way shopping promenade at Caesars Palace offers small leather goods and a wonderful selection of informal stationery in Cartier's signature red box. These quality note cards can, of course, be personalized.

Surprise Mom with a table accessory: The new high-quality acrylic Mushroom Mini mills from William Bounds showcase colorful peppercorns and coarse sea salt grains. The long-lasting mill mechanism crushes rather than grinds to produce a more consistent mill. At $20 for each mill, buy a few.

Cinco de Mayo, margaritas and Mom: Celebrate Mom and Cinco de Mayo with a gift box (assembled by you) that includes a small bottle of Cointreau, margarita mix, colored salt, margarita glasses and some Mexican tidbits. Include this recipe for Mom's Margarita -- one part Cointreau, two parts each tequila and ice and three parts margarita mix. Ole! And Happy Mother's Day.