How many times have you heard, “Aw honey, you shouldn’t have!” and wondered if Mom really meant it? Don’t be bitter if that bottle of Chanel No.5 still sits snugly in its box or that the once-exquisite angora sweater has never seen the light of day. It’s hard to find the right gift for mom. This Mother’s Day give a gift experience that won’t go to waste. Here are 10 ideas:

1. Wine Tasting
Take mom on a private bus tour complete with a picnic lunch. Find out how wine is made and learn how to select and purchase it for your private cellar. Visit Winecountrytours.ca for tours in Ontario or Localwineevents.com for information on international events.

2. Harbor Cruise
Nothing beats a relaxing evening cruise coupled with a gorgeous city skyline for a backdrop. In Victoria, visit Harbourferry.com and in Toronto, Torontoharbour.com.

3. Heli Tour
If mom’s got that stomach of steel and a taste for excitement, look into a city helicopter tour. In Toronto it costs less than $200 for two. Check out Thehelicoptercompany.com.

4. Balloon Flight
Take her breath away with a scenic flight in a hot air balloon. Find out what’s available near you and consider that it’s often cheaper for two than it is for one. C J Fly just north of Toronto will give you both a ride for under $400. Visit www.cjfly.com.

5. Horseback riding
Give mom an exhilarating ride with Mother Nature. With a crisp breeze blowing through her hair, she can ride happily off into the distance. In Manitoba, try Travelmanitoba.com.

6. Cooking Lessons
Is mom sick of making the same dishes every night? Enroll her in Indian, Thai or Chinese cooking classes and her dining table will be transformed from dull to delectable. Check with a local cooking school or college. Montreal’s Natural Foods Cooking School gives lessons with an emphasis on low-fat foods (514-482-1508).

7. Golf Instruction
It’s never too late for Mom to become the next Lorie Kane. Okay, maybe it is… but you can start her off with a set of used clubs and a few beginner lessons. Once she’s a pro, she can head to Nova Scotia, where a nice 18-hole course can cost less than $40.

8. Pottery Classes
Let mom explore her creative side by enrolling her in the spring session of a ceramics class at a local college or private city school. In Toronto, a 12-week course can run around $400 (www.theclayspace.com).

9. Dance Lessons
It’s never too late for mom to cut a little rug. Send her off to ballroom, salsa or even belly-dance lessons. It’s a great way to have fun and get some exercise. She shouldn’t worry about finding a dance partner because classes will often pair students up.

10. Theatre
Let mom enjoy a night out at the theatre to hang out with the cast of Mamma Mia or the Lion King. Or, if you’re on a budget, consider ‘off Broadway’ shows as well because they’re just as entertaining and often have pay-what-you-can days.