Mother’s Day arrives every year with absolutely no element of surprise and yet still manages to catch people out. One minute it’s February, the next it’s disappeared and you’re panic-buying flowers.
We can do better than that.
Here’s a mixture of Mother’s Day gifts that feel considered, useful, and unlikely to end up in a drawer with dead batteries.
Cica Cream
If someone has raised children, worked with the public, or simply lived through winter, their skin has probably had enough. A good cica cream is all about soothing and calming rather than “correcting”. It’s gentle, comforting, and feels quietly luxurious.
Who this is great for: The mum who says she doesn’t need anything but secretly enjoys a bit of TLC. Also anyone whose skin is permanently in “mildly annoyed” mode.
A Houseplant (Not a Cactus)
Cacti are the emergency gift of the unimaginative. A leafy plant feels intentional and alive. Supermarkets offer a great selection, much cheaper than the garden centre. Get a fancy pot from Homesense and voila – a thoughtful gift for a green-fingered mum.
Who this is great for: The mum who already owns too many plants and will absolutely make room for one more.
Tea Tree Oil Toner
Toner sounds aggressive, but tea tree done properly is more about balance than warfare. Tea tree oil toner is fresh, practical, and slots easily into a simple routine without demanding a skincare degree.
Who this is great for: The organised mum. The one who likes things tidy, labelled, and quietly effective. Or the one who appreciates a product that feels purposeful rather than decorative.
Collagen Serum
The word collagen gets thrown around a lot, but at its core it’s about hydration and helping skin look a bit plumper and fresher. As we age, we stop making our own collagen and a good collagen serum can help keep that youthful glow. Not a miracle, just support.
Who this is great for: The mum who deserves to feel a bit glowy. The one who never buys “nice” things for herself because she’s too busy buying socks for everyone else.
A Proper Scented Candle
Not a cheap novelty candle or a “hilarious” one that says something passive-aggressive. One that comes in a jar, costs more than a tenner (I’m not talking Diptyque, I’m not made of money) and smells like a boutique hotel or a forest, not “Mum’s Gin Time”
Who this is great for: The mum who loves a bath, a book, and pretending no one can hear them shouting from downstairs.
A Book You’ve Actually Thought About
Not the nearest paperback with a pink cover but something you genuinely think she’ll enjoy based on the books and authors she loved to read. Is there a new one coming out? Get that. Pair with a nice bottle of wine and some bubble bath to encourage relaxation.
Who this is great for: The mum who reads before bed and says “just one more chapter” before finally falling asleep at 1am with a book on her face..
A Decent Box of Chocolates
The kind that comes in a box you open slowly and a list inside with pictures on it, and maybe tissue paper. Not the kind you buy in bulk for the class teachers at Christmas.
Who this is great for: Literally any mum who has ever said “I don’t mind” and absolutely did mind.
If you want a shortcut, there’s a whole Mother’s Day section here on Notino, which gathers things that feel gift-worthy rather than last-minute.
The bar for Mother’s Day gifts is not astronomical, it’s just slightly higher than a petrol station forecourt. Let’s clear it.