With a rich history dating back to the late 1800s, in 1914, US President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mother’s Day the second Sunday in May. Since then, it’s continued to evolve into a special day where, worldwide, we honour, celebrate, and appreciate the remarkable women who play a valued role in our lives. It’s a day to express gratitude for the selfless dedication and sacrifices, to celebrate family bonds, and most of all, a platform to acknowledge the diverse roles and constant juggling that many of the women in our lives undertake.
Celebrated this year on Sunday, 12th May, take some time to show your mum (or an important female figure in your life) your gratitude for all they have sacrificed and given. Here are our ten-favourite mum-approved ideas.
1. Spoil them with a spa day
Self-indulgence is scarce among female figures in our lives, so why not spoil them with a day of pure relaxation? You can either create this at home on a budget with lush homemade face masks, a DIY mani/pedi, a backdrop of soothing music and her favourite scented candle or book her in for a luxurious day at a local spa if budget allows.
2. Create a family cookbook
Trawl through the scraps of handwritten recipes, magazine cutouts, and dog-eared recipe books and compile a custom cookbook of your mum’s favourites. Online platforms like Journi, Momento, or Snapfish mean you can create something satisfyingly slick that’s sure to be loved and passed on to future generations.
3. Get in the kitchen and cook with love
You don’t have to take Mum to the newest Michelin-starred restaurant to show her you care (although some mums will love that!) Often, a thoughtful meal cooked with love will be more appreciated. Pick a meal that matches your culinary prowess – it can be as simple as scrambled eggs on toast with coffee or a 3-course dinner with wine matches. Whatever you choose, your mum will appreciate your effort; let’s face it, food always tastes better when made by someone else!
4. Plan a family picnic
Mother’s Day is a great excuse to gather your family (or even extended family) to express gratitude for all the influential female figures in your lives. Head to a local park or your backyard – if space allows, and ask family members to bring a favourite dish. Bring some outdoor games or even a deck of cards for old-fashioned family fun. And if some family members can’t make it, it’s easy (and fun) to bring them along on your laptop.
5. Take a trip down memory lane
Plan a day out with Mum, revisiting special places from her past. This could be her childhood home, primary school, or even the place where you were born. It’ll set your mum on a path of reminiscing over fond memories, many of which you may not have heard before. Don’t forget to include a favourite eatery in the itinerary.
6. Have an outdoor adventure
Whether it’s getting your mum to try something new or indulging a neglected passion, planning a day in the great outdoors is refreshing, invigorating, and something you can enjoy together. This could be as simple as booking an overnight hike or ticking off a bucket list activity like a helicopter or hot air balloon ride. Pack a picnic of Mum’s favourites for extra brownie points.
7. Do good together
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate selfless dedication, making it a great time to give back to your community by volunteering Choose a cause close to your mum – whether it’s an animal shelter, tree planting or serving meals at a homeless shelter – and roll up your sleeves together. It’s a meaningful bonding experience and something that you might want to take up regularly. [insert link to May Volunteering blog above – refer yellow highlight]
8. Curate a mum movie marathon
How many times has your mum sat through a movie of your choice? It’s time to turn the tables and create a personalised movie marathon just for your mum. Pick a few of her favourite flicks, set up a cosy home theatre complete with irresistible bites and beverages, and settle in for an evening of quality time together.
9. Get classy
From wine aficionados to passionate potters, painters, florists, or chefs, does your mum have an unexplored interest bubbling away that you can help her fulfil? There are plenty of one-off or regular classes that you can book her into to help her explore her passion. From affordable community-based classes to online offerings or something more specialised, there’s something for every budget.
10. Take charge of the chores
From cleaning the car to scrubbing a tiled shower, everyone has a most hated household chore. Volunteer your complaint-free service to your mum and take that burden off her shoulders as a one-off or for a longer period. It’ll give your mum some much-needed downtime and is a great way to show that you don’t take her for granted.
Make the celebration as unique as your mum
The most important aspect of celebrating Mother’s Day is making your mum, carers, or grandmas feel appreciated. Choosing an activity that aligns with her unique interests shows that you’ve thought into the idea, and it doesn’t have to be costly. These thoughtful gestures are often more heartfelt and precious than an expensive last-minute or generic gift. And if you can’t be there in person, try one of these ideas.
From the First National Real Estate team, we wish all the strong, compassionate, and incredible women in our lives a Happy Mother’s Day.
DISCLAIMER
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.