Mother’s Day 2015: Deals and Freebies

Several restaurants, retailers and attractions will be offering freebies, deals and sweepstakes for moms on or around Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10.

The modern American holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which now holds the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases “second Sunday in May” and “Mother’s Day”, and created the Mother’s Day International Association.

Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar is treating moms to a free meal (up to a $15 value) on Mother’s Day with a purchase of equal or greater value. Arooga’s has nine locations in central Pennsylvania.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is giving moms a free meal on Mother’s Day with a purchase of equal or greater value. The chain of sports pubs has more than 200 locations in 23 states.

Brick House Tavern & Tap is treating moms to a free brunch entrée with the purchase of an entrée at participating locations. Reservations for brunch are required. Brick House has 23 locations nationwide.

California Pizza Kitchen has a Dear Mom Sweepstakes you can enter by uploading a photo and story about mom with the hashtag #CPKDearMomSweeps on Instagram, Twitter or the restaurant chain’s Facebook page for a chance to win a weekend getaway that includes roundtrip airfare to Las Vegas, a two-night stay at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, $500 spa credit, $500 shopping spree and lunch or dinner for two at CPK Summerlin. You can enter through May 31, and a winner will be chosen June 3.

Chuck E. Cheese’s has a coupon for a free individual thin and crispy pizza for mom with a $29.99 purchase of a large pizza, four drinks and 30 tokens. The family dining and entertainment chain has locations in 47 states.

Corner Bakery, with 188 locations in 21 states and D.C., has a coupon for a free six-pack of bundt cakes for mom with the purchase of a lunch or dinner entrée.

Fogo de Chao Brazillian Steakhouse will give a mom who dines on Mother’s Day at one on its locations in 26 U.S. cities a complimentary lunch or dinner during her next visit.

Hurricane Grill & Wings is offering moms a free dessert of their choice with the purchase of an entrée at participating locations in 12 states.

Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar will offer moms $5 “Momosa” drinks on Mother’s Day, and moms can take home the champagne glass (while supplies last). Lazy Dog has locations in Las Vegas and California.

McCormick & Schmick’s is giving moms a complimentary chocolate-covered strawberry with brunch on Mother’s Day. The restaurant chain operates in 24 states.

Museums and gardens. Admission to many public gardens across the country is free on National Public Gardens Day May 8 — and through Mother’s Day weekend. For example, The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens in Newbury, N.H., is offering free admission to all May 8-10. Search for gardens near you to see if any have special offers for Mother’s Day.

Museums, zoos and other attractions often offer free admission to moms on Mother’s Day. For example, the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum in Montgomery, Ala., are offering free admission for moms May 10. Check with museums in your area for similar offerings.

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt is treating moms to a free 8-ounce cup of frozen yogurt on Mother’s Day. There are more than 300 locations in 37 states.

Outback Steakhouse wants guests to celebrate Mother’s Day early with a downloadable coupon for 15% off your entire check through May 7. Plus, if you buy $50 in gift cards through June 21, you’ll receive a bonus $10 gift card.

PDQ is offering moms a free combo meal (three-piece chicken tenders, salad or sandwich combo) on Mother’s Day with the purchase of a kids combo meal. The fast-casual restaurant chain has locations in seven states.

Princess Cruises has a Mother’s Day sale on fares for cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, New England, the Panama Canal, Hawaii and California. Plus, it’s offering up to $200 worth of free onboard spending money. The sale runs through May 14.

RA Sushi will be offering an all-day happy hour on Mother’s Day with select sushi, appetizers and drinks starting at $3.49 at its 26 locations in nine states.

Safe Step Walk-in Tub Co. is giving away one of its hydrotherapeutic tubs for Mother’s Day. You can nominate your mom on Safe Step’s Facebook page by uploading a photo of you and your mom, telling why your mom deserves a Safe Step tub, then sharing the photo on Facebook so friends and family can vote. A winner will be selected from the five moms with the most votes.

Shoney’s is giving moms a free slice of strawberry pie on Mother’s Day with the purchase of a buffet or entree. Shoney’s has 160 locations in 16 states.

Snapfish has printable cards, breakfast-in-bed menus, origami flowers and party banners for Mother’s Day that you can download for free.

Spaghetti Warehouse is offering a free appetizer for registering for its Mother’s Day photo album. You can upload a photo of your mom and tell why she’s special for a chance to win a $100 Spaghetti Warehouse gift card. The restaurant chain also is offering moms who dine at one of its locations in seven states on May 10 a free strawberry lemonade and one of five gifts: a free “Make it a Feast” entrée, a buy-one-get-one free spaghetti or lasagne, a free brownie sundae, a free spaghetti or lasagne entrée, or a $25 Spaghetti Warehouse gift card, says Kathy Wan, director of marketing for Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc.

TGI Fridays will offer half-priced bottles of wine for its Mother’s Week celebration May 5-10 at participating restaurants.