Here's a gentle reminder: Mother's Day falls on Sunday 11 March this year. But if you haven't yet lined up the mother of all gifts for the special lady in your life, fear not; here are our top suggestions for ways to salute and spoil her. Whether she's into swigging gin, watching movies or eating biscuits, you’re sure to find something suitable – and not a scented candle or a bunch of flowers in sight).
1. Fitbit Wristband Flex 2
If your mum’s the active type, she’ll love this tasteful wearable that’s simple to use, comfy on the wrist – and easy on the pocket. We gave it a four-star rating when we reviewed it last year, and now the price has dropped to a bargain £49.99 just in time for Mother's Day. We know how much mums love a bargain and we reckon she'll also appreciate this Fitbit's in-built SmartTrack technology that tracks different activities – including steps, cycle rides and swimming sessions – automatically, as well as monitoring sleep. It also vibrates to signal incoming calls and text messages, so she can keep tabs on your activity too.
2. Mother's Day biscuits
Flowers, good. Flower-shaped biscuits, better. Bypass the bouquet this year and treat your mum to a nice cup of tea and a sit down. These delicious chocolate biscuits from Biscuiteers are cut in the shape of flowers and hearts, and decorated with intricate icing designs. The pretty art deco-inspired presentation tin is a keeper.
Buy now for £30 from Biscuiteers
3. Mama sweatshirt by Selfish Mother
Looking to nab the “golden child” title from your sibling? This sweatshirt from the Selfish Mother brand should put you firmly in mum's good books. Made from organic cotton and emblazoned with a gold MAMA motif, it'll keep her snug and looking stylish – and it'll also give her a good feeling to know that a chunk of the profits go to empowering fellow mothers through charities like Help Refugees UK and mothers2mothers.
Buy now for £50 from John Lewis
4. Now TV Stick
Spend some quality time with mum in front of the TV – by treating her to Sky's new Now TV Stick, an easy-to-use media streamer that lets you watch box sets and movies without having to splash out on a pricey contract. It costs just £15, and for an extra fiver (and extra brownie points) you can get it loaded with a two-month Entertainment Pass, so she can binge on shows like The Walking Dead, Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. Setup is a doddle – it plugs directly into a HDMI port at the back of a TV – and you can pause and rewind live TV too, as well as searching for show titles and actors using the voice-search feature.
5. 12-month gin subscription box
Mother’s Day comes once a year – but an annual subscription to Little Gin Box is a gift your mum can enjoy all the way through to next Easter. Each month, she’ll receive a boozy package containing two 50ml bottles of gin (enough for four G&Ts) from a range of craft distilleries. Each delivery comes with detailed tasting notes, and is sourced from independent producers around the world, with a strong emphasis on British gin.
Buy now for £120 from Virgin Experience Days
6. Steam train and dinner for two
If your mum needs to let off some steam, why not treat her to a scenic ride on the Spa Valley Railway, including dinner and drinks? This package for two people includes a three-course meal served with a bottle of wine aboard the High Weald Belle, a vintage steam train with restored 1960s carriages. The journey starts and finishes in Tunbridge Wells and takes in the pretty High Weald countryside in Kent. You can personalise the voucher and message card, and it comes in a gift pack that can be used within nine months of the date of issue.
Buy now for £115 from Virgin Experience Days
7. S’well champagne drinking bottle
This versatile drinking vessel keeps drinks cool for up to 24 hours, or hot for up to 12 hours. You can tell her that you want to ensure that she stays hydrated throughout the day – but perhaps also mention that it's an excellent way to transport wine, with a clever vacuum design and insulated stainless steel casing that will keep prosecco cool and bubbly on trips and picnics.
Buy now for £35 from John Lewis
8. The Unmumsy Mum Diary
Your mum will find much to lol at in this searingly honest account of parenting written by habitual oversharer, Sarah Turner (aka the Unmumsy Mum). This brand-new book documents a year in the life of the Devon mum, and is packed full of relatable encounters that offer a refreshing take on the highs and lows of motherhood.
9. Frida Kahlo travel coffee mug
Brighten your mum’s morning with this colourful ceramic coffee cup that honours iconic Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. Perfect for a cultural caffeine fix, this reusable cup is double walled and comes with a silicone lid to keep drinks warm.
10. Scrabble string lights
Has your mum always wanted to see her name in lights? Make her wish come true with this set of Scrabble string lights. You get 10 tile-shaped lights and 60 reusable letter stickers, so you can create your own (short) declarations of love, thanks and appreciation.
