If you’re anything like me, when it comes to Mother’s Day, it’s easy to get caught in a bit of a scramble.

The last-minute flower purchases, the panicked detour down the gift aisle at Target. We write cards that say “Thank you for everything,” as if that covers 18 years of unpaid labor, late-night feedings and emotional triage after every family group chat.

This year, I panicked and bought my mom an oven squirrel.

But what do moms actually want? I talked to three local ladies — a mom-to-be, a mom in the thick of it and a newly minted grandmother — about what a meaningful Mother’s Day looks like to them.

Andie Wagner, of Niwot, is expecting her first child, and though her baby hasn’t arrived yet, she already considers herself a mother.

“I guess technically I’m not a mom yet, but it already feels like I am,” she said. “I think about this baby constantly. It’s wild how strong that connection is, even before they’re born. For Mother’s Day, I’d honestly just love for my baby not to start kicking as soon as I lie down for bed. That, and I’d love a maid to come over for a day. My house has been such a mess for the past couple of months.”

A full day of someone else doing the vacuuming might not be sentimental, but it’s the kind of luxury money can buy. Sleep is free, but apparently unavailable. If you’re shopping for a mom like this, consider booking a session (or several) with Mop It Like It’s Hot, a local woman-owned cleaning service with the best business name ever. Or skip the middle(wo)man, hike up your sleeves, and do the cleaning yourself. Then tell her to go lie down.

Katia Garrison has four kids at home, has zero interest in glitter glue crafts or spa vouchers. With years of parenting behind her and more than a few chore charts to prove it, she knows exactly what she wants this year.

“Honestly? I want my kids to help me garden,” she said. “I don’t want gifts or anything, just some real help with the weeding. There’s four of them, and if they can manage not to bicker or sneak off inside after 30 minutes, I’ll consider it a success.”

For the mom whose dream day involves compost, try a fresh batch of compost tea from Harlequin’s Gardens or a selection of beautiful heirloom seeds from the MASA Seed Foundation. If her love language is acts of service, this is her Super Bowl.

And then there’s Suzanne Sinsigalli, who’s been a mother for more than three decades and, as of last year, a grandmother. She’s done the early mornings, the scraped knees, the finger-painted cards and now she’s in the phase where what matters the most is time together.

“I’ve had plenty of Mother’s Days with flowers and poems,” she said. “Now I kind of want to sit around the table with my whole family and just be together. That’s what means the most now.”

For moms like her, try making a reservation somewhere that can hold a crowd and serve something delicious enough to keep everyone at the table awhile.

Here are a few of my favorite brunch and breakfast spots across Boulder County:

• Jamestown Mercantile (Jamestown): Just 20 minutes up Lefthand Canyon, the Merc feels like stepping into a parallel universe where brunch is rowdy, the locals are legends and the hollandaise flows freely. Housed in an old county general store, it’s a funky, wood-paneled gem in a tiny mountain town that’s cozy and just a little bit chaotic. On Mother’s Day, expect sweet breakfast specials and live music from John Shepherd followed by New Age Phonograph.

• Chautauqua Dining Hall (Boulder): Classic, woodsy, and full of charm, this Victorian-style hall has been a Boulder tradition since 1898. Today, it remains one of the best porches in town, offering sweeping Flatiron views and sturdy American breakfasts, like fire-roasted chile omelets and berries-and-cream French toast with browned-butter mascarpone. Great for big families and even bigger appetites.

• Decent Bagel (Nederland): For the mom who prefers her lox with a side of elevation, this NY-style bagel spot was founded by actual New Yorkers who couldn’t find a “decent” bagel in Colorado, so they made their own. You’ll find crispy-edged, chewy-centered bagels, sandwiches, smoothies and espresso, plus a cute little gourmet market with everything from locally churned ice cream to imported olive oil. A solid option before or after a stroll by Barker Reservoir.

• The Huckleberry (Louisville): A cozy staple tucked into historic downtown Louisville, The Huckleberry lives in a 19th-century building that once served as a post office, a pharmacy and a stop along the prohibition tunnel system (yes, really). Today, it’s a family-friendly café and full-service bakery turning out honey-bacon pancakes, lemon-raspberry poppyseed cake and strong coffee in generous refills. Much of its produce comes straight from its own farm in Lafayette, which feels like a flex, but in the best way.

• Dry Storage (Boulder): Chic, modern and full of bread people. This micro-mill, bakery and café grinds its own heirloom grains onsite, turning out laminated pastries and impossibly beautiful loaves. The menu leans Japanese-influenced, with dishes like miso salmon breakfast sets, congee with seven-minute eggs and croissant sandwiches with koji sausage and gochujang aioli. If your mom says things like “I’m really into heirloom grains right now,” take her here.