Flowers, chocolates and a big dose of appreciation are just what the doctor ordered this Mother’s Day. It has been one whole year since the first national lockdown and, for some of us, the last time we got to see our Mothers. This March may be very similar in terms of a lockdown which means gift-giving becomes ever the more important.
Compiling a hamper full of your Mother’s favourite things is a great way to show her that you’re thinking of her. Grab a cardboard box and some tissue paper or any kind of filling from your last online purchase and fill it with things like chocolates, alcohol, socks, perfume, toiletries, jewellery and don’t forget a handwritten card. Online shopping will become your best friend when buying all of your Mum’s favourite things if the high-street shops are still closed. When you have finished decorating it and adding in all of the gifts; the hamper then becomes the parcel when you add her address on to the box and hand it over to the post office. Have a look at the delivery times in advance so you know the right time to post it. Don’t forget to cushion the gifts and tape up the box well so that it doesn’t get damaged on the journey.
Creating a hamper can be tricky to execute yourself if you don’t have much time or the right shaped box to begin with. There are plenty of pre-made hampers online from websites such as; www.notonthehighstreet.com, www.hampers.com, or head online to your Mum’s favourite shop, for example, M&S, Hotel Chocolat, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols to find their versions. Lots of online shops also have a ‘Letterbox Gift’ section with a large choice of letterbox friendly hampers for a low-cost, smaller, but just as thoughtful gift idea.
If you would like to treat your Mum to a home spa or pampering set, have a look online at her most loved brands and you will find a gift box section. These have a very similar appeal to a hamper, and you will rest assured knowing your Mum will love everything inside.
If you want to really personalise the hamper, head to www.dontbuyherflowers .com or www.bookblock.com where you can choose between lots of wonderful gift options.
And not forgetting those Mum’s to be, there are some gorgeous hampers on www.babyblooms.co.uk complete with a cuddly toy for the new-born and some fresh roses for the new Mother.
Adding a touch of personalisation to any gift can enhance the meaning and the thought behind the gift itself. Websites are much more convenient when it comes to personalising gifts as opposed to going in-store because there is a wider range of items to choose from and you can send it directly to the receiver. They tend to make it easy to follow and virtually impossible to get wrong once you have checked the spelling and the image quality.
The list of things you can personalise these days are endless! Mugs, photo collages, cushions, cards, socks, t-shirts, it really does go on. These gifts are all widely available to order from online printing companies.
If you are wanting to think outside of the box, there are some other gifts that you can personalise, for example, an illustrated print of you and your Mum. These can be found on www.etsy.com and you can personalise the hair colour, clothing and text so that they really come to life! Some of these prints are based on a photo that you send in where you can get bespoke paintings by an artist or you can have someone create it digitally depending on the look you want.
Having a Mum who lives in a different country can be especially saddening right now. A print of two hearts with the maps of each country that you and your mum live in is a nice sentimental gift that goes a long way (Literally!) You can personalise the map and the text to make it really meaningful.
Wherever you are in the world, there is one thing that will always be the same. The night sky. You can now name a star after your mum and you will both be able to see it even though you may not be able to see each other. Head to www.star-name-registry.com to find out more.
For those of us who are missing the comfort of our Mum’s embrace, you could send her a hug as a gift. These hug gifts can be gift sets with warming items inside, for example, a candle, hot chocolate, teddy bear and a book of heart-warming quotes. Or it can be some biscuits or cookies with the words ‘Sending hugs’ or ‘Consider this a hug’ baked onto it for example. These biscuits can be pre-ordered at selected local bakeries or cake companies and can be collected in-store when they are ready.
If you are after something a bit longer-lasting, you can send her a plaque or hanging decoration with the words ‘Sending a big hug to you Mum – From…’ Some of these items you can fully personalise with photos as well as changing the text.
Cushions and blankets are everyday items that we love to hug, so why not send them a ‘bear hug’ cushion or a ‘The snuggle is real’ blanket. All of which can be found on www.thedriftingbear.com.
A beautiful bouquet is enough to brighten up anyone’s day and is the perfect accompaniment to your chosen gift. Consult your local florist to see whether they will be able to deliver to your Mother’s house, and if they are unable, then there are lots of online florists to choose from. With a lot of online florists, you can choose an exact delivery day, this means the flowers won’t have to be kept in hiding until the day and they will stay fresher for longer. The majority of florists will deliver in a large upright cardboard box with the bouquet already arranged, however, to minimise the use of plastic for the wrapping, you can now opt for a letterbox friendly parcel. This is a handy idea you are unsure if they will be at home when they arrive.
Mothering Sunday can be an exceptionally saddening day for those who have lost their Mums. Adding some gorgeous fresh flowers to her grave or perhaps an artificial flower wreath to withstand the windy coast is a lovely heartwarming gesture.
Is your Mum constantly dressing her shelves with new flowers? Why not treat her to a flower subscription from her favourite florist! She will receive a fresh new bunch of flowers each month through a paid subscription plan.
If your Mum prefers flowers that don’t die after a week or two, dried flowers are a great alternative. Not only are they a more environmentally friendly option to plastic flowers, but they can last up to 3 years! With muted hues and elegant textures, dried flowers are becoming increasingly popular with interior designers and florists. You could have a go at drying your own flowers.
The current Covid-19 restrictions may alter our plans to see our Mums this Mother’s Day, but it doesn’t mean it has to be any less special. With these ideas, we hope they will inspire you to treat your Mum to a wonderful surprise through the door.