Omakase to matcha-making: Slow experiences are winning Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day has come to follow a familiar script, with packed restos, long waits, and predictable gifts. It works but leaves little room for surprise. This year, whether due to digital fatigue or return to basics, but slow, intentional experiences are finding favour. From omakase experiences to mom mixers, the focus is on time well spent together, and offline.

Food as memory, not just a meal
The most meaningful food memories are the simplest – slow, unhurried moments shared over a meal, says Ipsa Sambhi, chef and founder of La Croute in Sunder Nagar, who is hosting Kitchen Calls by Nivaala. “My favourite memories are of my family just sitting together, eating. My maa will start talking about a dish, and it becomes a story, where she learnt it, who she made it for, how it evolved, etc. On Mother’s Day, we’re creating a space where people can share those recipes and finally write them down.”

A thoughtfully paced meal, layered with music and memory, can turn a celebration into something deeply felt, says Sahil Baweja, founder of Pendulo in Mehrauli. “The experience unfolds slowly, beginning with the sound of a live sitar that draws you into the moment. The menu follows that rhythm… Through it all, the sitar moves with the meal and conversations. Your mother deserves an experience that stays with her.”

Echoing this, Augusto Cabrera, head chef at Boya, a resto at Malcha Marg, says, “A Japanese omakase experience, where you leave it up to the chefs, allows mothers to step away from everyday multitasking and simply be present, cared for, and even surprised. Every course is intentional. More than a meal, it becomes a way of gifting time—to slow down, connect, and create lasting memories. Sometimes, the most meaningful gift isn’t material, but an experience that makes someone feel seen.”

Make something together
Hands-on experiences, like clay dates, pottery sessions, and terrarium-making workshops, can also offer a chance to create something tangible together. Creative sessions like sip-and-paint are seeing families return, especially mom-daughter duos. This year, Saakshi Brahmi and Alisha Thakur, co-founders of ArtNest, are curating a sip-andpaint experience at Unlocked in Gurgaon. “These sessions offer a moment to focus inward—painting, connecting, and being present. It becomes a short but beautiful escape that brings people closer,” Saakshi tell us. Aruna Anand, founder of NIV Centre, agrees and shares how terrarium-making echoes the spirit of motherhood. “Mothers are creators of their own worlds, and a terrarium becomes a reflection of that, bringing life into a glass bowl with your own hands.”

Slow rituals, simple pleasures
For many, slowing down can be as simple as sharing tea at a workshop. “The idea is to step away from a fast-paced routine,” says artist Shireen Mubayi, who is curating a matcha-mixing workshop paired with a vinyl listening session at Tuoi Moi Eats in Humayunpur. “It’s about taking a couple of hours to be present, with your mom.”

Social mixer, mom edition
Building meaningful connections in a relaxed, offline setting is important for moms, says Manisha Kalra, founder of City Girls Who Walk Delhi that is hosting a mixer for moms. “Moms end up dedicating so much of their time to responsibilities that friendships take a backseat. The idea is to bring together a small group of moms in a space where they can meet others in a similar phase of life and form new connections. The format is simple: conversations, a few icebreakers, and hands-on activities, like scrub-making, candlemaking, and lip balm creation. The hope is that they don’t just spend a few hours together, but leave with new friendships that continue beyond the day.”