- Mother's Day is the perfect day to show appreciation to the maternal figure in your life.
- Pay attention to their hobbies and interests and steer clear from homeware or appliances.
- Explore experiential gifts like taking her to an intimate live music performance or spa package.
Before we all knew it, the second Sunday of the month is fast approaching for a day dedicated to the women who carried, nurtured and shaped the lives of children worldwide.
Mother’s Day in South Africa is just around the corner to spoil or make extra special time for mamzo.
As much as it’s the thought that counts, it’s time to break free from the lavender soaps and kitchen utensils that hold us back from showering your loved one while paying attention to the things they like.
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To be fair, finding the perfect gift for anyone is a challenge in itself but how does one find just the right thing that will fully encapsulate the love and appreciation for that special woman in your life?
No matter whether it’s a biological mother or a cherished maternal figure, some of the best gifts are based off attentiveness and consideration.
Still unsure where to begin? Let’s start off with a what some moms have shared with us about past experiences, from bottom of the barrel presents to their ideal gift.
Mother’s Day dos and don’ts
Do ask yourself the right questions about what would best suit the hobbies and personality of your mother figure. Are they first and foremost a nurturer and supporter or are they consistently organising everything and managing everyone around them?
Mavis, a 50-year-old primary school teacher who spends her days running after everyone else’s little ones, is the type of mom who would appreciate a day of pampering just for her.
After just receiving a store-bought generic card from her family in previous years, she tells us that an ideal gift would be a "spa day or something solo, like a gift just for mom [and] no sharing".
Don’t just get her something for the household. Unless you know much she loves her tea of cup or joe and hope to surprise her with a state of the art coffee machine or plan to give her her very own intricate tea pot set, household items are not advisable.
Pots, casserole dishes or the ever-so-present 'World's Greatest Mom' mug don't hold much special meaning and will most probably be used by everyone in the house at some point.
Do add a personal touch to your gift that shows her you pay attention to your mother figure's interests and remind her of how much you take care to treat her.
If she likes her bling, a jewellery box tastefully decorated with her favourite family pictures is an example of a gift you know she will use and on top of that will remind her of the love from her family.
Don't worry about lavish spending and consider giving mom some quality me-time.
Lauren, 48, is a mom to two preteen boys and when she's not working on events management or tending to her family, she hopes to get some downtime just for herself this Mother's Day.
"If I could get a day where my kids are not saying, 'Mom, mom, mom, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy', that for me would be great. A bit of rest – I don't need massages or anything like that, just want to chill. Breakfast in bed would be great. Lunch in bed would also be cool and I wouldn't mind dinner in bed too. So, just give me the remote and let me just be. I'm not asking for much. So, not a lot of money needs to be spent, just precious time."
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A fun, thoughtful and affordable gift isn't too hard to come by. You just need to think out of the box.
- Instead of regular cut flowers that need to be tended to that eventually die, explore the idea of a box of forever flowers. These are stunning preserved flowers that can last for up to three years, effortlessly reminding her of the love around her.
- There's nothing like the sweet sounds of a live performance to sit back and relax with. To avoid what could be the chaos of a full-on concert, intimate restaurants with live acoustic bands or a piano lounge can be just what she needs for a tranquil and culture-filled day.
- Spa treatments can err on the pricey side if you don't know how to look. Think of roping in a few of your mom's friends and surprise them with a full of half-day packages and a delicious lunch that many boutique hotels offer. Plus, you'll be able to split the costs as a group.
- With autumn in full swing, a cute loungewear set, fleece or robe that matches her style is just what mom needs to keep her warm and cozy. If you have the means, perhaps tailor it with her name or nickname to add that personalised touch.
