Looking for the perfect gift to show mum how much you love her? We have rounded up present ideas to give to every type of mum. This year, we called in help from Australia’s own influential mothers, including fitness entrepreneur Laura Henshaw, cookbook author Emelia Jackson and green thumb Nora Mutalima, who all shared the items on their wishlists for May 10.
We know it’s the thought that counts, so we’ve included gifts that start under $50 through to some big-ticket, luxury items.
The new mum
Tokyo Headspa Experience, head bath, $195
Tokyo Headspa head bath experience.Courtesy of Tokyo Headspa
The new mum deserves to relax. What could be better than having your hair washed for you while lying down? Tokyo Headspa experience ($195) is an introduction to the relaxing world of Japanese head baths. The treatment includes a detoxifying shampoo to leave your scalp squeaky clean, a head and hand massage and a conditioning treatment. Salons are located in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
By Charlotte 18k gold vermeil “With Freedom I Become” locket pendant, $219
18k gold vermeil “With Freedom I Become” locket pendant.
With the By Charlotte 18k gold locket pendant ($219), mum can always keep those she cherishes close to her heart. The butterfly motif symbolises new beginnings and is engraved with an inspiring message inside. You can even get a photo printed and interest for no additional cost or personalised engraving for $15. The necklace chain is sold separately ($149).
Rakuten Kobo libra colour, $379.95
Kobo libra colour.
Once you become a mother, you don’t have as much spare time on your hands. But with reduced blue light, mum can read at any hour with the Rakuten Kobo Libra Colour. Carry up to 24,000 eBooks or 150 audiobooks with Bluetooth wireless tech for listening quietly. She can also use this Kobo as a journal planner with the integrated notebook and stylus.
Resting “Riley” pant, $90 and “Dylan” long sleeve top, $90
Riley pant and Dylan long sleeve top.
With a new bub to care for, mum may not be getting out of the house (or her pyjamas) much. Gifting her new loungewear allows her to remain comfortable yet still feel put together, especially in the Resting Riley pant ($90) and Dylan top ($90). Made from supersoft jersey cotton, she’ll be comfy yet chic.
Waverley Mill traditional picnic rug, $279
Traditional picnic rug.
If mum’s dream family outing is heading out on a picnic, the Waverley Mills traditional picnic rug ($299) is the perfect heirloom gift for her. Designed and made in Tasmania from 100 per cent Australian merino wool, it’s perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Available in four colourways.
The sporty mum
Good sport high-performance sunscreen lotion.
Make sun safety even easier for mum with these travel-sized SPF 50 ($34.95) from We Are Feel Good Inc. The non-greasy formula is four-hour sweat and water-resistant, ready to endure any high-stress activities. It also comes with a handy carabiner, so it’s easy to access and ready to go.
AllTrails App annual subscription, $35.99
AllTrails App annual subscription.Getty Images
If your mum is itching to stretch her legs in the great outdoors, inspire her to explore with a year-long AllTrails subscription ($35.99). The app helps connect users to nearby (or far away) trails to walk, cycle or run. The plus subscription means she can download maps to keep her on the right path without reception, keep the family updated with LiveShare and more.
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music in Berry/Lilac, $500
Garmin Forerunner 165 music in berry/lilac.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 ($500) is the perfect fitness watch for everyday use or when heading out for a run. The GPS watch has 11 days of battery life, a touchscreen, music downloading capability and more. If mum is still measuring her steps with a pedometer, get her an upgrade that is especially pretty in the berry and lilac colour.
The foodie mum
KitchenAid artisan tilt-head stand mixer with wildflower ceramic bowl, $899
Artisan tilt-head stand mixer.
This is definitely a luxury gift. But if your mum is an all-star baker who is still using a hand-beater from the 80s, then it’s time for an upgrade. KitchenAid is the gold standard of stand mixers for a reason. The 4.7L mixer ($899) comes with three mixing attachments and a ceramic wildflower bowl.
Fazeek “TipToe” coupe, set of two, $99
“TipToe” coupe.
Add a little whimsy to mum’s glassware collection. The new TipToe collection from Fazeek includes these leggy coupe glasses ($99). Hand-blown from borosilicate glass, each piece is lightweight and durable. It’s the perfect way to elevate any drink.
Two Good Marina-Strone market tote, $150
Marina-Strone market tote.
The Two Good Marina-Strone market tote is like an adult show bag. Stocked with all the ingredients you need to start cooking the specialty minestrone recipe, all packed into a custom Alemais-designed tote. Also, with every tote purchased, a meal is donated to someone staying in a women’s refuge.
Eau Bags wine, $49
Eau Bags wine.
If your mum says things like “a good guest never shows up empty-handed”, then she is the intended wine-bag customer. Eau Bags for wine ($49) is essentially a reusable wine carrier made from recycled nylon. It’s also a great way to get large bottles safely from the shops and to the party in style, no clinking bottles included.
Artes bakery scented soy candle, $48/180g
Bakery scented soy candle.
Let mum enjoy the smell of a bakery without turning on the oven. Hand-poured from soy and coconut wax in Sydney, Artes bakery scented candle ($48) invokes freshly baked croissants with fragrance notes of almond, buttermilk, hazelnut and vanilla.
The fashion-forward mum
Birkenstock Zermatt zebra toffee melange wool felt, $165
Zermatt zebra toffee melange wool felt.
If mum isn’t afraid to make bold fashion choices, get her the Birkenstock Zermatt in zebra toffee melange wool felt ($165). Featuring a removable foot bed to change the insole, choose from standard suede leather or shearling insoles, making it the perfect year-round footwear. The upper zebra design is made from soft wool felt.
July “Juliette” mini bowler, $345
“Juliette” mini bowler.
Suede is all the rage this season and the July Juliette mini bowler bag ($356) is the perfect handbag to add to mum’s rotation. Made from leather with 18 carat plated gold hardware, the bag comes with a detachable body strap, an internal cardholder and concealed front and back pockets for easy access. Available in other colours.
Zara printed scarf with silk, $35.95
Printed scarf with silk.
A silk-like scarf is a versatile accessory that never goes out of style. The trendy item was frequently seen at the last Paris Fashion Week. This affordable option from Zara ($35.95) is made from viscose with a silk blend and comes in various colours and patterns.
St Agni 90s slim oval sunglasses, $369
90s slim oval sunglasses.
If your mum has been bingeing Love Story and reminiscing about the 90s, help her channel her inner Caroline Bessette Kennedy with St Agni’s 90s oval sunglasses ($369). The sleek, minimal frame is reminiscent of CBK’s favourite pair and costs about half as much. Available in other colours.
The mum in need of pampering
Florian Home x T.I.N.A Gift Pack, $75
For the teetotalling mum in need of a relaxed evening at home (maybe with a bubble bath and smooth jazz), consider this gift pack ($75). T.I.N.A (short for This is Not Alcohol), makes delicious, tea-based sparkling drinks spiked with native ingredients like waxflower, lemon myrtle and saltbush. Their gift packs include four of their tinned drinks, alongside two glasses from Kabinett Kyneton.
The Fleck Deck Journaling Prompts, $39
If mum’s a keen journaller, The Fleck Deck ($39) is a nice way to get the creative juices flowing. Each set contains 50 prompts (spanning five themes – comfort, celebration, curiosity, clarity and creation) designed to invite careful reflection away from screens.
Deliciously Yours Dubai Chocolate Bars, from $25
For the mum with a sweet tooth who is always trying the latest thing, Sydney chocolate artisans Deliciously Yours’ version of the viral Dubai chocolate ($25 for three-piece, $43 for five-piece) are a special treat. Made from a soft pistachio praline and crunchy kataifi pastry, they’re dipped in Belgian chocolate and hand-painted with naturally coloured cocoa butter. If she’s more of a purist about her chocolate, Deliciously Yours also makes more classic offerings like fine chocolate blocks and dark chocolate bon bons.
For the stressed-out mum, Subtle Bodies’ incense sticks ($39) will help introduce a touch of calm into her environment. Their signature collection includes three different scents to choose from – Australian Sandalwood, Taiwanese Hinoki and Peruvian Palo Santo – depending on her preference.
Therawear Migraine Relief Cap, $47
For the mum who’s always weathering a headache or migraine, a head mask, like this one from Therawear ($47), is a nice option to help her unwind. The compression cap can be popped in the freezer or microwave for either a cooling or warming effect to soothe headaches and relieve stress.
The gardening mum
Sage Journal, $45
Sage is a new Australian journal ($45) perfect for the mum who loves their garden. Their inaugural edition features almost 200 pages of photographic essays, recipes, practical advice and profiles on beautiful gardens and the people behind them.
Puebco Vintage Tent Fabric Apron, $90
This Puebco apron ($90) is made from hard-wearing vintage tent fabric. Sourced from surplus military supplies, each piece is entirely unique with its own patina, holes and tears, meaning it can withstand a hard day’s work in the garden.
The Coastal Garden, Phaidon, $70
For the mum whose two favourite things in life are the beach and the garden, get her this coffee table book that combines the two perfectly. Phaidon’s The Coastal Garden ($70) features 48 gardens set against the backdrop of iconic coastlines, from Australia to the Mediterranean, Sweden to California. With beautiful photography and in-depth commentary on the making of each, it’s a great reference for inspiration or planning future travels.
Kip & Co Nasturtium Kneeling Mat, $60
Help make mum’s gardening experience a little more comfortable with this foam kneeling pad from Kip & Co ($60), with a pretty neoprene nasturtium printed cover. While this version from Kip & Co is a little bougie, there are plenty of other options on the market if you’re on a budget, like one from Ryset ($20) or a striped one from Kmart ($5).
Crazy Keiki Cloning Paste by Southside, $38
Crazy Keiki Cloning Paste ($38) is something of a miracle worker for slow-growing plants. Made from a base of lanolin (wool wax), it’s particularly great for encouraging new orchid buds to bloom, but it can be used on most healthy indoor plants. All she needs to do is dab a small amount of paste onto scored nodes on the plant (small bumps where new shoots emerge), and voilà.
The arts and culture mum
Snail Mail Subscription
Brandi Salmon, a Wiradjuri artist living in Tasmania, has a snail mail club “Aunty’s Dispatch”.Matthew Newton
The art of letter writing is enjoying a resurgence currently, led by snail mail clubs – typically artist-led, subscription-based clubs. For the mum who appreciates local artists and is a little nostalgic for more analogue times, a subscription to one will be a lovely surprise each month in her mailbox.
There are plenty of options out there to suit any taste – a quick Google or search on social media will reveal all manner of subscriptions – but some of our favourites include:
(not) random magazines gift card
For the mum who loves nothing more than a Sunday afternoon curled up with a cuppa and a good read, consider gifting a subscription to (not) random magazines (from $10). The Australian retailer is a treasure trove of independent, hard-to-find print publications spanning art, design, sport, food, photography and fashion.
Printing Potters Wave Bookstand, $35
For the mum with more books than she knows what to do with, these bookends ($35) from Australian design studio Printing Potters make for a stylish and functional gift. Available in a rainbow of colour options, they’re 3D printed in Melbourne using renewable, plant-based materials.
Patti Smith: Horses, Paris 1976, $70
Patti Smith: Horses, Paris 1976 ($70) features never-before-seen photographs of the punk legend, taken by rock ‘n’ roll photographer Claude Gassian surrounding the release of her iconic album Horses. With written reflections from Smith, it’s a fascinating look into an artist on the cusp of fame, set against the backdrop of 1970s Paris.
Writer’s festival tickets
The Sydney Writers’ Festival at Carriageworks.AFR
Why not get the bookworm mum something you can do together? Tickets for Sydney Writers’ Festival (May 17 to 24) and Melbourne Writers Festival (May 7 to 10) are on sale now, with stacked line-ups of international and local stars. Take her to see her favourite author live, or someone new you can learn about together.
The mum who loves a hobby
Karst Goods Woodless Pencils, from $36
These pencils from Sydney stationery purveyors Karst Goods are made entirely from lead, lacking the wood barrel that traditionally makes up most pencils, meaning users get five times longer use than usual. Starting from $36, they come in a range of shades and are a great gift for the mum who’s always got a sketchbook in hand.
A class or workshop
A workshop or class is a great gift idea for the mum with a hobby.iStock
If your mother is always looking to expand her toolbox or sharpen a skill, a workshop or class makes a great gift that can also introduce her to a new community of like-minded people, or is something you can do together.
There are workshops for just about anything, but we’ve rounded up just a small selection of what’s on offer to give you some ideas:
Risograph printing: Rizzeria, in-person in Sydney, from $35, and online, $65; Tree Paper Gallery, in-person in Melbourne, $65.Eyewear making: Lunettes art lab, Sydney, $300.Perfume making: Cult of Scent, Sydney, from $450; Sensoriam, Sydney, from $150; Rikka Studio, Sydney, $110; Metascent, Melbourne, from $110; Perfume Playground, Melbourne, $179; The Matikos, Melbourne, $180.Pottery: Clay by Soraya, Sydney, from $120; Clay Sydney, from $95; Clayground, Sydney, from $79; Pot Dispensary, Melbourne, from $120; Sarah Schembri, Melbourne, from $99; Terrapotter, Melbourne, from $100.Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging): Yuga Floral Design, Sydney, $120; Mr Flower, Sydney, $89; By Azumi, Melbourne, from $165; Shoso Shimbo, Melbourne, $60 for introductory beginner workshop.
For Her Love of Birds, Jane Melville, $37
This biography of Australian naturalist and taxidermist Jane Ward Tost is a lovely gift for the birder in your life. In For Her Love of Birds ($37), museum curator and writer Jane Melville dives into the fascinating, eventful and difficult life of a pioneer in the field of natural history – the first professional female employee at any Australian museum.
Sarah Hearts Bows Sewing Labels, $17
Sewing labels are a lovely idea for the crafter in your life to help add an extra special, personal touch to their creations. These large, embroidered tags from Sarah Hearts ($17) are a pretty option.
Puzzle Rental
Photo: iStock
Jigsaw puzzles can be an expensive and space-consuming hobby. Renting a puzzle means mum gets all the joy, with none of the clutter.
Some options include:
Bespoke Letter Press Recipe Journal, $60
For the mum who’s always tinkering away at the perfect pavlova or bolognese recipe, this journal from Bespoke Letter Press ($60) is a lovely way for her to track progress. Featuring a sweet strawberry cover, gilded edges, satin ribbon bookmarks and heavyweight paper, it’s a nice heirloom for her to pass down to the next generation to keep her recipes alive.
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