Mother’s Day is fast approaching. If you are a regular reader of the blog, you’ll know this will be my first. Having lost my mum to cancer when I was 23 (and she was only 46), Mother’s Day has always been a constant reminder that the main influence in my life isn’t here. And to rub salt into the wounds I also was not a mother myself. Therefore, this year it’s a big one for me. Hopefully, the pain experienced in previous years will be replaced by excitement and joy. Having adopted our girls 9 months ago, it has been a rollercoaster. It is definitely the hardest (yet most rewarding) job I’ve ever had. Now don’t get me wrong flowers and chocolates are wonderful and I would happily receive a bunch of daffodils and a box of Milk Tray, but as a busy working mum, I can categorically confirm that Mother’s Day experiences specifically for me (away from the children – sorry kids!) would be a dream come true.
Therefore I have put together my Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Experience Edition. It lists some of the experiences that I would love to receive as a mother’s day gift (hint hint Mr ESLT). So whether you are thinking of a present for your own mum or are looking for a few suggestions to drop into conversation with your own kids, here are some great options. I have also included a button for each option which will take you to some great (UK) deals.
Afternoon Tea
Dainty finger sandwiches, hot crumbly scones with lashings of cream and dinky cake treats all washed down with a pot of tea (and a glass of fizz of course), what’s not to love. Afternoon tea is the perfect indulgence and a great way of relaxing. Most luxury hotels and high-end restaurants offer amazing afternoon tea options. However, a lot of local cafes and pubs (especially in England) also offer this tasty treat too.
Spa Day
If you think your mum or you as a mum need a pampering session, then a spa day is a great experience option. Getting away from the daily stress of life, especially as a parent, can be tough. There’s always something to do. Therefore, even a couple of hours at a spa indulging in a treatment or two or even simply in the hot tub will help the mums of the world unwind. If you can stretch to a full day, even better.
Fine Dining
Eating out with kids can be tough. It’s usually on their terms too, just for a quiet life. Therefore, pub grub and fast food is more often than not the go-to. So a great option when it comes to a mother’s day experience is fine dining. I’m talking getting dressed up, eating great food and enjoying a couple of glasses of wine without having to deal with tears, tantrums and toddlers who love to run amock (or is that just mine?)
Wine Tasting
Talking of wine (or mummy juice as we call it), what about a wine tasting experience? With a number of vineyards in the UK, you can make a day of it by taking a guided tour through the vines, learning about the grapes and the wine that they produce, before sampling the locally produced products for yourself. Failing that, a number of companies offer wine tastings in your own home, if that’s more mum’s thing.
A Show
If you or your mum is anything like me, a show at the theatre is a great way of spending an evening. Whether it be stall seats at the latest glitzy show in the West End of London or simply the local amateur dramatics society, submerging yourself in the plot is a wonderful break from the norm. From foot-stomping, sing-a-long musicals to in-depth and thought-provoking plays, there really is something for everyone.
A Night Away
If getting away for the evening is possible, then a night away for mum is one of the best Mother’s Day experiences. Whether it’s a romantic getaway with their partner or a fun night away with their friends, it’s almost guaranteed that mum will love it. If the children are small, then get grandparents, relations or even friends on standby to look after them and give mum a whole 24 hours (or longer if you can) of freedom.
Design Your Own Perfume
Receiving a bottle of perfume is wonderful but what about giving the gift of allowing mum to make her own? There are a number of perfume design workshops across the UK offering the opportunity. It allows mum to make her own personalised perfume based on her own taste. She’ll learn about the different scents and what they mean together with the other ingredients involved before blending her own fragrance to take home.
Chocolate Making
Again, a box of chocolates is a great mother’s day gift. However, if you’re considering mother’s day experiences, then a chocolate making class is a fun option. Mum, is taken on a journey from bean through to chocolate bar, learning about how chocolate is made. She’ll then make her own (the type will differ depending on where she takes the class) to take home (hide from the kids) and enjoy at her leisure.
Distilling Gin
Another variation of mummy juice, gin is a firm favourite. Having attended a gin school and distilled my own bottle of gin for my birthday, I can confirm that this would be an equally great experience for mother’s day. You learn about the history of gin before choosing the ingredients you would like to include in yours, distilling it for a couple of hours and then bottling it to take home to enjoy with your favourite mixer.
A Day Out
One of the simplest Mother’s day experiences is a good old fashioned day out. A day away from work, the kids, the housework etc is often perfect because we all know a change is as good as a rest. Give mum the opportunity to be a tourist in her own city by booking a city tour or tickets for a local attraction. If mum can’t bear to be away from the kids (or they are too small to be left or there isn’t a support network), this is the ideal solution and also allows you to create family memories too.
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