On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, treat the mom in your life to a special day in Manhattan. We've got your guide to Mother's Day events and deals in New York City and other ideas for scheduling a perfect day for Mom.

Below are some ideas for how to celebrate the day and show her how much you care.

• 2013 Mother's Day Events in New York City

  • Cookie Decorating Party at Make Meaning -- Bond with your mama over cookies at Make Meaning locations on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side. Stop by to personalize cookies with dozens of edible decorations and sip on David's Tea
  • Mother's Day Cruise Aboard World Yacht -- World Yacht is setting sail on Mother's Day cruises for the whole family. Choose from a brunch cruise (boarding 11:30AM) with a special buffet (tickets start at $50 per adult) or a dinner cruise (boarding at 6PM) with a four-course dinner and dancing (tickets start at $7105). Cruises depart from Pier 81 (West 41st Street and the Hudson River) and include a close-up look at the Statue of Liberty.
  • Mother's Day at The Met -- Family programs abound on Mother's Day, May 12. Accompany Mom on a tour of the museum and check out the new Punk exhibit, a lecture on Islamic stucco carving, or a workshop on digital sculpting tools.The Met.
  • Mother's Day with the Human Blockhead -- Treat Mom to an unusual and highly entertaining day at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Times Square on her special Sunday. Moms get in free if they dare to complete a special juggling challenge. While there, you and mom can also see the world's largest collection of shrunken heads, a six-legged cow, and much more.

• Mother's Day Brunch or Dinner

  If you’re not cooking Mom a spectacular Mother’s Day dinner, treat her to a fancy meal at one of Manhattan’s top restaurants.
  • Take Mom out for a day of wine and chocolate at Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar (1 7th Avenue South) and enjoy a free glass of Prosecco and nab a 15% discount card for her next visit.
  • Treat Mom to a unique brunch at Pera Soho. The Mediterranean restaurant's special three-course brunch meno will include white chocolate pancakes with strawberry butter and much more for $27 per person.
  • Lincoln Ristorante in Lincoln Center is serving up a prix-fixe Mother's Day feast featuring Italian delicacies from the Liguria region -- including house-made gnocchi and sweet bread. The four-course menu is $65 per person.
  • Stop by Almond in Gramercy and get a free Mimosa or Bloody Mary if you're someone's mom.
  • Mothers eat free on Mother's Day at Betel in the West Village.
  • Many other New York restaurants offer special prix fixe menus and deals for Mother's Day. Check out OpenTable's list of Mother's Day dinner specials in New York (702 at last count)and make a reservation.
  • Enjoy the sunshine and dine with Mom in one of Manhattan's most beautiful outdoor garden areas or on a New York rooftop.
  • Don’t forget about dessert! Mom may say she's watching her figure, but convince her to treat herself to a sweet dish from one of Manhattan’s favorite dessert spots. No one deserves it more than her!

• Explore New York with Mom

  A mid-afternoon stroll through a cute neighborhood or a sunny park creates the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with Mom.
  • Hit the streets of Tribeca and discover historic townhouses, cobblestone streets, and cozy lunch spots that Mom will love.
  • You could also meander through Chelsea, check out a few galleries and impress Mom with your extensive knowledge of art trivia.
  • Take advantage of a gorgeous day and wander into the nearest park for some fresh air or head to Central Park and show Mom the Bethesda Fountain or take her on a horse and carriage ride.

• Take Mom to the Museum

  If Mom is a culture buff, plan a museum-hopping spree to see famous works of art, interesting collections and entertaining exhibits.
  • Stop by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to view spectacular modern and contemporary art pieces.
  • Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to discover art, photography, tapestries, and carefully preserved artifacts from all over the world.
  • Check out the Whitney Museum, where Mom will recognize notable 20th Century works of art.
  • A visit to the Museum of Natural History is always an adventure. This time around, tell Mom you’re taking her to see the dinosaurs.
  • If you’re looking for a fun, slightly edgier and highly-entertaining museum experience, schedule a visit to a few of Manhattan’s off-Museum Mile cultural institutions (though you might want to skip The Museum of Sex to avoid awkward Mother's Day moments).

• Go Shopping with Mom

  Mom always took you shopping for new clothes, so now you can return the favor. Besides, shopping with her is always fun -- especially when everything she wants can be found under one roof.
  • Stop by a few of Manhattan’s favorite department stores and help her find the perfect pair of Manolos.
  • If Mom enjoys bargain-hunting and discovering secondhand treasures, browse a few of Manhattan’s flea markets and help her find the perfect coffee table centerpiece.