Mother's Day is close - Sunday 12th May - so it's time to start thinking about how you're going to spoil the women in your life who are mum's for this year. Our gift suggestions include the 'tried and true' as well as a few different ones at every price point from $10 through to $200+. If you start now, you can order many of these items onilne and they'll arrive in time!
Let there be candles
There’s so many beautiful candles around to give a soft, romantic light to the bedroom, bathroom or living area – all bursting with so many different fragrances. Try MOR Essential Scented Candles for just $12 or Pure Zone Frosted Glass Scented Candles for $10, both from Uni Hill Factory Outlets; or for something very different a Japanese Quince Pagoda Candle from Saison for $59.95.
Florentine fancy
Nesti Dante is a Florence based manufacturer of absolutely beautiful soap. Not only the scents evocative of the entire Italian countryside and cityscape but they come in the most beautiful wrapping. For Mother’s Day try Nesti Dante's Ore Preziose 'Morning' Soap. It’s a natural vegetable based soap with the sensual fragrance of ripened clementine and the sparkling freshness of ocean waves. Created for the new dawn to revitalise and awaken. You can buy Nesti Dante (and other wonderful, niche products) online at Saison from $13.95.
Jammies in a Jar
These aren’t quite for mum, but very handy for the mum-to-be or a new mum. It’s baby’s first jammies in a jar, created by mum Helene Laure. 10% of proceeds go to help Postpartum Progress, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the mental health of new mothers. The Jammies are made of comfortable light gauge cotton jersey with ankle cuffs specifically constructed to make dressing baby easier! For baby girls, Jammies have an added flirty ruffle. Jammies by Helene Laure can be purchased online at Jammies for Babies at around $US27.
Green Indoor Pots
These very different Danish designed OOhh indoor pots are hand-made from corrugated recycled paper, are 100% waterproof and quirkily attractive. Layered on the inside of these circular rings is natural latex from a rubber tree. The natural rubber means this product is 100% waterproof without the use of any aggressive chemicals or varnishes and allows you to safely display your favourite potted plants. As well as the gorgeous Danish design, OOhh have a beautiful story attached to them. They are made by less privileged women in Sri Lanka, providing them with the means to earn an income while staying at home and looking after their families. The recommended retail price ranges from $29.95 to $39.35. For a full list of stockists contact Enliven Giftware on 1800 811 598.
Food Glorious Food
If you don’t want to go out for breakfast on Mother’s Day, how about the gift of food? Maggie Beer has some wonderful Mother’s Day gift collections ranging from $29.95 to $90. Our favourite is the one at the lower end with three of Maggie’s scrumptious home-made jams in her Breakfast in Bed collection – Burnt Fig, Raspberry & Pomegranate and Seville Orange Marmalade. Worth staying in bed for! Visit Maggie Beer.
Optical Bubbles
The Cantina Liberty Champagne Flute is crystalline, mouth-blown and hand made. It is hammered to obtain the optical surface effect. The shape comes from an end of the 19th century Champagne glass. The optical effect helps to see the wine bubbles better and it is useful to judge the sparkling wines. Available from Villa Mondo for $34.95.
Born to Rule
Perfume may seem the ‘easy’ present for mum, but it’s always appreciated. Because she’s a Princess try Vera Wang Princess eau-de-toilette. It’s radiant, whimsical and is especially for the mum who treats every day like an adventure. It’s a fruity, floral fragrance which combines apple, Tahitian flower and vanilla. She’ll love it! Recommended retail price is $89, but you can get it for just $49 at Uni Hill Factory Outlets.
Vision of Hope
World-renowned landscape photographer Ken Duncan and World Vision Australia have collaborated for Vision of Hope: Mother & Child, a new photographic book that celebrates the special bond between mothers and children around the world. World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello said the moving book of photos and short stories was a tribute to women all over the world and in particular the women in our own lives.
From Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Mongolia, Senegal to the Pilbara in Australia, the book showcases World Vision’s work empowering communities and families to break the cycle of poverty. The proceeds from the book will go to help World Vision's development work around the world. Available from World Vision for $59.95.
‘Me Time’
Sydney’s five star Sheraton on the Park Hotel is offering a special ‘Me Time’ Mother’s Day package, designed for mums who will welcome some stylish and indulgent R&R time. The “package costs $99 per person and includes a soothing massage in the Rejuvenation Day Spa, followed by a sumptuous Traditional High Tea in Sheraton on the Park’s sophisticated The Gallery Tea Lounge. The package is $99 per person for a minimum of two guests per booking, and is valid throughout May and June. For further information visit Sheraton on the Park Sydney or call 02 9286 6000.
Yee-haa!
We love this! It’s the Big Crisp Scooter for adults. We all know kids have been enjoying scooters for years, but now mum can get in on the fun with this adult-sized scooter. Either she can use it to go scootering with the kids – or, just have fun around the local park, pretending to be a kid again! This genuine Aussie-designed scooter has a wide alloy deck, adjustable handlebar height and 200mm cast PU wheels for a smooth ride with a spot for a drink bottle. Best of all, you can fold it and put it into the car. Great exercise & loads of fun! It retails for $220 from various bike and skate stores but see Active Out There for more info.
The Perfect Handbag
No longer do you need to tirelessly search for hours for the perfect handbag to go with your outfit. A new Australian website allows you to unleash your inner accessories designer and create a bespoke bag that is a one of a kind, while also being affordable too. You can choose your own style, fabric and colour as well as custom design every detail of the bag including the stitching colour and the bag’s lining. The brainchild of Lambada is 27 year old Andrew Ganesan who noticed a gap in the marketplace for bespoke high quality, affordable leather goods. All Lambada pieces are hand cut, hand assembled and hand finished, following the traditional methods from fine craftsmen. Express your creativeness and free the fashionista within at Lambada.