South Florida retailers offer freebies for moms before Mother’s Day

Some South Florida moms think they deserve more than a day’s recognition for all they do.

That’s why Maria Bailey, a working mom from Pompano Beach, created Mom’s Nite Out (http://momsniteout.com) , an annual shopping, dining and pampering event for mothers away from the stress of their families. The event, which falls on the Thursday before Mother’s Day, is held in malls and hotels across the country.

“I’ve learned that the actual day of Mother’s Day is not really about me,” said Bailey, a mother of four. “It’s about the grandmas, the mother-in-laws, and all the other mothers that are in my kids’ life, which just means more work for me.”

The first Mom’s Nite Out event took place in South Florida five years ago, and since then, Simon Malls in Boca Raton, Coral Springs and other locations across the country have gotten involved. This year, the Town Center at Boca Raton will host a wellness- and health-themed event for moms, while Coral Square Mall in Coral Springs will focus on fashion.

“Based on a poll we conducted online, shopping is one of the top things moms want to do on their night out,” Bailey said.

Retailers will set up tents in the Boca Raton and Coral Springs malls’ wings where moms can stop by for free samples, demonstrations, makeup tips, massages and coupons.

The Aveda salon and store inside the Town Center at Boca Raton will have a licensed massage therapist and aromatherapist for the event and will give moms customized perfumes as a gift, said Billy Banovic Zannitto, Aveda’s store manager.

“We did Mom’s Nite Out last year and it went really well,” Banovic Zannitto said. “We try to participate whenever we can. Whether we see the result from it immediately, or six months down the road, it’s worth it.”

There are more than 130 Simon Mall properties in the country participating in this year’s event, said Elisha Sova, assistant director of marketing for the Town Center at Boca Raton. About 25 of the mall’s retailers are participating.

“The event is something fun and different for women who live healthy, feel good lifestyles,” Sova said. “We’ve been able to incorporate what that means through our retailers.”

Bose is running a meditation room, which is filled with audio equipment that will play soothing music and natural sounds. Williams Sonoma will run a juicing station and Bath & Body Works will be giving hand and foot massages.

Mom’s Nite Out events in South Florida:

Town Center at Boca Raton: Thursday, May 10, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

In the Nordstrom Wing

Belly dancing, Tai Chi, acro and suspension yoga classes taught on site.

Giveaways and services provided by Nordstrom, Bose, Yankee Candle, Works, Origins, GNC and others.

Coral Square Mall in Coral Springs: Thursday, May 10, 5 p.m.- 8 p.m.

In the central atrium

Fashion show with shopping and beauty tips

Giveaways and services provided by Francesca’s Collections, Macy’s, JC Penney, Build-A-Bear, Camilla Day Spa and In Style and others.

Kicking off the weekend is Disney Junior’s Swashbuckler Soiree & Dinner, followed by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Dinoland U.S.A. excursion and a sneak peek at Disney’s Art of Animation® Resort. We’ll dine poolside at the Nemo Pool, the largest hotel pool at the Walt Disney World® Resort! Walt Disney Imagineers will highlight the evening, giving sneak-peeks of the newest family suites. The animated film-themed resort opens next month.

An amazing list of guest speakers will provide the social media content that the social media influencers are anxious to hear from, including Amy Jo Martin, Digital Royalty @DigitalRoyalty, Ramon DeLeon, Domino’s Pizza, @Ramon_Deleon , Peter Shankman, The Geek Factory @PeterShankman, Lisa Druxman, Stroller Strides @LisaDruxman and Chris Brogan, Human Business Works @ChrisBrogan. Conference host Maryellen Hooper @MaryellenHooper promises to set the perfect tone for the weekend.

Follow the action on Twitter at #DisneySMMoms.

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Fashion Bug invites women everywhere to look great and spend less—featuring current styles in sizes 6–30 for work, weekend and everything in between. From dress to business casual, and from active knits to jeans and fashion tops, Fashion Bug offers fresh looks to satisfy all the lifestyle needs of today’s busy woman. At the lowest prices possible.

National Mom’s Nite Out will unite hundreds of social media groups, companies, local playgroups, mom bloggers and influencers through a variety of networks to offer a well-deserved night of relaxation and pampering. If a destination is not in the plans, Moms can join in the fun online during a live-streaming party on MomTV.com and on Twitter by following @momsniteout and using the hashtag #MomsNiteOut.

Simon Property Group will host events at 115 malls across the country.  “Simon Property Group is proud to be a part of this effort that recognizes the importance of motherhood,” said Lisa Bennett, Assistant Vice President, Marketing Partnerships & Business Development. “Our malls are the perfect meeting places for all moms and we look forward to hosting these free events that provide a place for the latest fashions, beauty trends, pampering, food and fun as mom’s take a night for themselves.”

Millions of Moms will gather from coast-to-coast to enjoy food, entertainment and prizes from sponsors like Women On Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide, Children’s Orchard, Lands’ End and many more. For information on hosting a celebration, including ideas, recipes and up-to-the-minute information, check outhttp://momsniteout.com and on Facebook: http://facebook.com/momsniteout.

We’ll post updates and event news here, so check back soon!

In the popular pirate theme, Don’t Rock the Boat is a game that lets children imagine they are pirates as they try to balance penguins on the game “board”, which is actually a pirate ship. Another game I know kids love is Flingin’ Frogs. Children can launch miniature frogs onto five tiers of lily pads. Farkle Flip, The Card-Flipping, Risk-Taking Card Game, Patch puts a new spin on the popular family game by using cards only. Flash & Furious is geared for the older crowd (12 and up) and involves answering questions at lightning speed, all centered around a custom Flasher stand.

There are so many terrific games from Patch, perfect for all of the birthdays and other occasions we need to buy for year round.