Emtalks: Mother's Day Gift Ideas + Thoughtful Things To Do 2020

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Mother's Day is this coming Sunday and honestly even my Grandma (queen of organisation) forgot because let's be honest, life is a little crazy right now and there is a lot more going on in the world. As usual, I'd put together a huge gift guide for Mother's Day with SO many ideas but I'm going to slim it down as a last minute, thoughtful post with some other Mother's Day gift ideas in the hopes that it can give you some ideas to show your love towards your Mum or Mother's figure (which it goes without saying, should be done every day) during Mother's Day - whether you're together or apart, have the time to shop online or would just rather do something thoughtful at home, I really hope this helps because truly, I think we need to be showing love now more than ever.

- Gift Vouchers - It's quite scary how many small businesses are losing trade whilst everyone isolates *which of course, I agree with because we have to protect our health first and foremost, health and safety comes first* but I'd rather our wonderful indie businesses (and giant businesses too!) didn't go under as they also have mortgages to pay, mouths to feed and staff to pay, so how about buying a gift voucher for Mothers Day? Whether it’s for a salon (I usually get my Mum a nail voucher for her local favourite salon, RagDoll Nails. or our fave hair salon, Sassoon Leeds) or a massage down the line, I highly recommend Elemis, SkinCeuticals and Decleor. Usually we go out on Mother's Day or I'd take Mum for a special afternoon tea, this year though how about buying a voucher so you're supporting a business, but then taking your Mum for that pub lunch/fancy meal/afternoon tea *when it all blows over*. It gives everyone something to look forward to and helps a business out too so pick something special, whether it's a 6 pack of blow dries, a mani and pedi for her Summer holiday, even a voucher for her local coffee shop or a lovely afternoon tea and organise something for the future!

- Theatre or Show - I've seen lots of tweets about the theatre industry and it's quite scary, the theatre brings so much enrichment to peoples lives so if your Mum is someone who adores something like the theatre, the opera or even the cinema (or maybe has always wanted to go!), you can always buy a nice ticket for the future, or a voucher so she can book something in the future and enjoy a show. Again, it gives something to look forward to!

- Stay Over - I always buy my Mum vouchers for Rudding Park Spa (this year I wanted to take her to Cliveden House or Chewton Glenn as a treat too!) and I think it's a great idea to get her a card with a ticket inside, and let her know she's got the vouchers to book for the next year or so, many vouchers last for 12-24 months so again, something lovely to look forward to!

- Flowers - My Mum adores flowers and there are SO many places online still delivering flowers, I personally usually get my flowers from Marks and Spencer, Next Home, Bloom and Wild or Debenhams for Mother's Day. If your local florist is open, definitely pop in and have a chat, business could be quite slow at the moment during one of the busiest periods. It also means if you're unable to personally see your Mum this Mother's Day, she'll get some beautiful flowers delivered to her door. If you're not in the flower mood, how about getting her some fruit and veg she can grow in her garden or a mini allotment? My Mum loved it when my brother and I did this for her!

- Give It Forward - You could donate to a food bank instead this year and let your Mum know you've done it from the two of you, or spend the money you were going to spend on flowers for her on a charity to help during this difficult time. Maybe you could support your local NHS, the teaching community, the carers - there are so many avenues here and I guess it depends what's personal to your family.

- Spa Break At Home - If you can't head to the spa right now, you could always do a spa break at home: put candles around the bath, bath salts in, chocolates on the side and a glass of something yummy (red wine please) and run your Mum a bath, give her an at home spa experience and demand she puts her feet up for once! I always recommend Molton Brown bath products - their new Milk Musk range is utterly divine, Espa Bath Oil - they have a new positivity blend and I think it's just what we all need right now and of course, a Jo Malone candle. She also adores L'Occitane (hello Almond range, you are DIVINE) and not forgetting Diptyque for the most spectacular and special candles. If you're wanting to get some pamper treats, every year I get my Mum Molton Brown handwash as she uses it in both our bathrooms and of course, Jo Malone soap - it is SO pretty. Don't forget gorgeous brands like Bramley, you can buy their products in pick & mix form too! Not forgetting, cosy Topshop pyjamas and The White Company dressing gown to get cosy in afterwards. If you don't want to buy her anything new, of course see what you've got in the house but there's still time to order pampering gifts if you did want to.

- Picnic In The Garden - If you're fortunate to have food in, and you're all at home together, why not host a picnic in the garden? Get a rug/picnic blanket, make some sandwiches, scones and have your very own afternoon tea at home! Let's be honest, it's about showing love and care, it doesn't have to be expensive, just thoughtful and often homegrown stuff is the best.

- Hampers - One of my favourite things to do is buy my Mumma a hamper of all her favourite things, so right now she adores Nairns porridge and her trusty coffee, as well as a lovely jar of jam and some Daylesford bran flakes, oh and of course, crisps, so I try to pick up her favourite things and pop them in a hamper. Selfridges, Marks and Spencer, Daylesford and Harvey Nichols also do amazing hampers, you can just personalise with all the things she like's (many hours of mine have been spent in Harvey Nichols foothalls organising hampers for my Mum!) Obviously times are quite tough right now for supermarkets so you may not be able to pop in and grab a hamper full of food, but think outside of the box, it could be a self care/love hamper with some chocolates and her favourite beauty gifts in, Elizabeth Arden’s 8 hour cream or Fresh Soy Face cleanser for my Mum! Or something practical like Batiste Dry Shampoo and a hero Neutrogena Hydroboost Body Cream! I also saw that Jo Loves just launched a new handwash and it is divine. Nothing beats a self care/love hamper! I always love Marks and Spencer for the best little cute cakes and treats for Mother's Day too.

- Gift That Keeps Giving - How about a gift that keeps on giving, month after month? A subscription box could be ideal. I recommend Birchbox and Rocca Box or you could even look into a flower delivery service on a monthly basis! Your recipient can receive the latest different beauty products tailored to their skin type, hair type etc evert month, something to always look forward to!

- Online Shopping Voucher - I often buy my Mum vouchers for places I know she loves, like John Lewis and Marks and Spencer so she can actually browse by herself. Most online stores are still open for gifts! Also, ASOS always do really fun, quirky gifts on their gift section (including cards and lots of good beauty gift sets too!)

- Breakfast - Can't go out for breakfast this Mother's Day? No worries, make her a restaurant worthy breakfast at home if you're fortunate to be with your Mum/mother figure on the date or during the weekend! Avo on toast, mushrooms on sourdough, porridge - whatever she fancies, but do the cooking yourself for the whole family if you're in together. It's about spending those precious moments together.

- Wellbeing - At a time like this, it's important to boost morale and wellbeing, so it could be something like a gardening set to get her out of the house, a gorgeous positive plant, a new cookbook (I always buy my Mum the new Deliciously Ella books when they come out) or, my Mum adores pilates and Zumba, so a gym class for when they're back open (you could get her David Lloyd membership or finally take her to your favourite boxing class, mine is Kobox!) or maybe she is always in need of new sports bras and pants from Sweaty Betty! Alternatively, you could just take her out for a country walk, either give her an IOWEYOU voucher and plan it down the line or if you live in a rural area, get yourselves out in the fresh air together.

- Personalisation - I bought my Mum the most gorgeous, red, heart keyring from Aspinal Of London years ago and she still uses it to this day. It's really special because you can personalise things and I always think they do the best gifts, so how about a luggage tag, a passport holder or a notepad from there? So many gorgeous ideas and as they're leather, they last a lifetime too. You could also get a forever piece of personalised jewellery, my favourites for personalised jewellery are Thomas Sabo and Monica Vinader for their gorgeous friendship bracelets.

- Home Baking - If you're a good baker, why not make some gorgeous cookies, biscuits, chocolate truffles? Carrot cake? Red velvet? The opportunities are endless!

- A Cleaner - My Mum seems to spend most of her life ironing and cleaning for us all, thinking of this and how difficult it is to keep my own small house clean, let alone hers has gave me the idea to recommend a cleaning service as a practical gift. Fantastic Services provide a variety of services up and down the country including a great cleaning service (and gardening, removals - everything you can think of) which I’ve personally sampled, whilst it's kindly gifted to me, I have trialled it out enough to tell you guys that it's phenomenal and it's definitely the best way to find a good cleaner. They sell gift cards (use code emshelx to get discount) which could make the perfect gift for a loved one who needs a break from household chores.

- Photo Book - I love making photo scrap books, I think it makes such a lovely gift, we made my Grandparents one after my graduation and they keep it in their lounge, always worth looking into one of these, or you could even print your iPhone photos off and make one yourself too.

- Luxury - If you're someone who likes to give luxury gifts, something I use day in day out is my Dyson hair dryer - I cannot recommend it enough. I know my Mum gets really frizzy hair and is in need of a better hair dryer so this would definitely hit the spot, or, something like a L'oreal Steampod, as she's hair obsessed a new hair gadget is always a good idea for my Mum. Not forgetting my ghd straighteners - my pride and joy, my Mum used to work away from home and always had two pairs incase hers broke, so there's always the option to look at the new offering from GHD (I've used their new Helios hairdryer and it's a game changer) oh last but not least, my Coffee machine, if it's time your Mama finally got herself a good coffee maker!

- Fragrance - I rarely buy myself perfume but know it's such a lovely gift and there are so many gorgeous ones out there, it's a personal choice but if you're looking for some inspo here are my favourites (because maybe your Mum loves a new fragrance - it's a special gift because it lasts so long and it will remind her of you every time she sprays it) - Coach just launched Coach Dreams which is inspired by a Cali road trip (fitting for my Mum as that's how we are meant to be spending our Summer!) Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf, everything about the brand is just magical - Armani Si (and gift set here), a sensual, date night fragrance but one of my Mum's absolute faves. You cannot go wrong with anything from Jo Malone, I love everything they do but my faves are Tuberose Angelica for a sexy scent, Earl Grey and Cucumber by day but the most popular Jo Malone would be Pomegranate Noir, you've also got Jimmy Choo and All Saints (personal favourite is Sunset Riot), Juicy Couture,YSL Mon Paris and Elizabeth Arden White Tea.

- Time - If in doubt, spend some time together. Grab a cup of tea of coffee, a glass of wine or champagne, or even a green juice and just take a moment to be together in the moment, whether you're opening a thoughtful photobook together, a Moonpig photo card (LOVE), watching your favourite Disney movie together, laughing at a novelty joke gift, unwrapping a Molton Brown scent, hand delivering some blooming flowers or just giving your time, there are so many ways to show love during Mother's Day but the best love of all is just being there and catching up (if you cannot be there in person, a phone call, a FaceTime - you know the drill!)

Lots of love, Em x

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