Mother's Day is one week away, and here in Portage la Prairie, we have many local shops that will help you find the perfect gift for your mom.

Kyle Pettinger, co-owner of Mil Jeanne Flowers & Axcenz, says that this time of the year is the busiest time for the shop. He emphasizes that they start prepping months in advance for this special day. 

"We kind of have to anticipate that kids are going to be buying flowers or gifts for mom. We try to cover our bases that way so we don't duplicate too many things for Mom on that special day." 

Pettinger notes that they are making hundreds of bouquets for days like Mother's Day. 

"For just the arrangement side of things, we're going to be right around 400 arrangements, and then we'll do cut bouquets throughout the week. And so yeah, it's a lot of hands on deck. I have to hand it to our staff. They are absolutely incredible."

The owner mentions that Mother's Day at the shop has always held a special place in his heart since his parents were the previous owners. 

"Dad always used to buy the flowers, and then Mom brought in the gifts. When I look around the shop, it is always tricky for me to find something for my mom that she hasn't already put into the store. Even with our boys for Alicia, it is one of those things that you just scratch your head and go, 'Geez, there's just about everything that she could possibly want would be in this store,' that she wouldn't already have for herself."

When asked if he finds it stressful on days like these, he quickly dismissed the stress. 

"Love what you do, but it doesn't feel like work at all."