Ultimate (last-minute) NJ Mother’s Day gift guide!

Proud Jersey Girl Erin Vogt feels like helping you out — since all moms (and grandmas and 'like-a-moms,' etc.) deserve to feel really loved on Mother's Day!

Maybe this weekend took you by surprise and now you're scrambling to make it seem like you've had a plan all along. (Missed out on a brunch spot?!) Here's a Jersey 'road map to appreciation' with gifts and activities, for a hopefully smile-filled Sunday.

Chocolate & wine are better than fine

It's a classic gift for a reason- chocolates, hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries, maybe some dipped pretzels- yum!

Brummer's, Chocolate Carousel, Chocolate Pretzel Heaven and David Bradley Chocolatier are just a few great places to pick up a sweet treat for the moms in your life.

Then, plan to move on to an NJ winery tasting. It could be a family thing, or reach out to make it a girl's outing. This weekend is a Garden State Wine Growers Wine Trail, which means wineries statewide are providing Mother's Day specials.

Shore to please

Book her a pedicure for morning, surprise her with new sandals or some beach-worthy attire (possibly a sweater, these days!) then it's off to the Shore for the afternoon. Even if it's a bit rainy- there's still lots to do!

Jenkinson's Boardwalk and Casino Pier both are offering a Sunday special, where moms enjoy a free day on rides (and at Jenk's Aquarium) with a paying child.

Morey's Piers in Wildwood also has some fun options, with a Tea Party at the Tea Cups!

Take 'er out to the ballgame... or racetrack

The Trenton Thunder have a home game on Sunday, so it's a nice family-friendly way to show love for those baseball loving ladies. Grab her a new hat or shirt at the team store, to help her cheer in-style. (note: both the Blueclaws and Patriots are away this weekend)

For the "need for speed" crowd, Wall Stadium Speedway also is offering a Mom's Day special- reduced admission and free flowers.

Get crafty

Jewelry is always solid- maybe go for hand-crafted from one of Jersey's beading stores. You could possibly let mom in on the outing, too- craft lovers live to create!

Just Bead It (on LBI & Stone Harbor), Jubili Beads & Yarns (Collingswood) and That Bead Place (Denville) are great places to start.

There's also the Gloucester County craft fair this weekend- with vendors as far as the eye can see. It's happening at the Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Stop & smell the Azaleas, Orchids- something nice.

A Mother’s Day tradition in Mercer County is the Azalea Festival in Hamilton. Sayen Botanical Gardens offers a beautiful backdrop to spend the day together, and there's even a chance to get a  free family portrait "while supplies last."

There's also plenty of nature-loving options at Duke Farms in Somerset County. With free admission, there's the indoors orchid range, the Bald Eagle nest cam, plus biking or walking if the weather holds out.

Haven at home

For ultra-busy moms-- and that's most of 'em-- some "me time" is a priceless gift. Hire a cleaning or laundry service for a few hours. Buy a magazine (something with Captain America or John Stark on the cover works well), plate up some cookies- and then leave her alone. Just for a while.

I know for me, nothing says "I love and appreciate you" like a small window of unexpected silence- that doesn't end with me cleaning up a mess!

Proud Jersey Girl Erin Vogt’s first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee.  A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.

Follow her on Twitter and on Facebook as ProudJersey.