1. MAKE HER BREAKFAST IN BED
Start the day right by getting up early and whipping up a special breakfast for mum. This is a great, cost-free project for the younger ones in the family to do to make Mother’s Day special. Options include French toast, soft
boiled eggs, fresh fruit and yoghurt, croissants, omelettes and pancakes. Just be sure to leave the kitchen the way you found it! Leaving a mess for mum to clean up will cancel out all the good work you have done.
You simply cannot go wrong with this one. Clean the house from top to bottom and make mum’s day. Children can be given all sorts of trivial tasks around the house that are usually carried out by mothers so they appreciate her even more and so that mum can get a break. Even something as simple as picking up their own toys and helping fold the laundry will be appreciated. Or why not go one step further and give your mother the day off with a full domestic house-cleaning service?
3. SEND HER TO A DAY SPA
An oldie but a goodie — mum will definitely thank you for this special pampering present. Maybe even get in on the act yourself and enjoy the classic mother-daughter bonding experience of a relaxing day together at the spa. Massages, manicures and more, mum will be smiling all day.
4. BAKE HER A CAKE
Another good one to get the children in the family involved in. Cakes are an essential ingredient of every celebration, but instead of opting for a ready
made cake, bake one at home. Think how many cakes your mother has baked for all the special days of your life. Return the favour. The simple act of baking a cake can speak volumes about the love you have for your mother.
5. GIVE HER A BUNCH OF FLOWERS
An obvious choice, but always a popular one to say thank you to your mother for all her love and support over the years. Lilies, roses, chrysanthemums, carnations will all make good choices for a Mother’s Day bouquet. If you do not know what you want, ring your local florist, tell them your budget and leave it up to them to create something wonderful. Gift baskets are also a good idea.
6. TAKE HER OUT FOR A MEAL
Good food is the perfect way to mark any special occasion. Take Mum to her favourite restaurant, or if the weather is nice, visit one of the dozens of wineries in the Queenstown Lakes/Central Otago district, sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy a glass or two of their finest drop, accompanied by an indulgent platter.
7. TAKE HER SHOPPING
If your mother is one of those women who loves to shop, spend an afternoon together browsing some of her favourite stores. Maybe travel a little further from home where she does not often get to visit. Giving her new shopping territory to explore and being there with her to carry her shopping bags will be a sure-fire hit.
8. FAMILY GET-TOGETHER
Celebrate mum by getting all the children and grandchildren together. But don’t let mum do any of the preparations.
9. ENJOY NATURE
Get outside and go for a walk, bike ride, or long, leisurely drive together to check out the local scenery.
10. GIVE HER VOUCHERS
How about showing appreciation of the time your mum has devoted to you by giving her some vouchers. These can be shop bought ones or homemade. Homemade ones could be ‘‘2 hours of cleaning’’ or ‘‘2 hours timeout from the kids’’ or ‘‘2 nights off cooking’’ that she can redeem when she wants a break.
