10 things to do this Mother’s Day

1

How about making her a homemade facemask? Mash one ripe banana in a mixing bowl with a fork until it’s a paste, then add a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and you’ve got yourself a nutrient-rich paste to cleanse the skin.

2

You can’t go wrong with flowers, and there are plenty of top quality florists in Whanganui. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even make a bouquet using flowers and plants from your own back garden. Haven’t got any? How about planting some with mum this Sunday?

3

Breakfast in bed is the classic Mother’s Day treat. May we suggest smashed avocado on toast? You’ll already have the mixing bowl out for the face mask anyway, just make sure you’ve cleaned all the banana off it first.

4

Mother’s Day marks PS Waimarie’s last trip of the summer season. The famous riverboat has a fully licensed galley with hot and cold refreshments, so you can also shout mum a glass of bubbles while you enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Whanganui Awa.

5

What are everyday jobs that your mum doesn’t like doing? Do them for her. You should probably be helping out more than once a year, but if you’re not, there is no better time to start than on Mother’s Day. 6

It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how old your mum is, you can’t go wrong with a bit of home baking. Even if your cake, slice, or pie tastes horrible, at least you can have a chuckle about it together.

7

If your mum is less about cake and more about cardio, a session with a personal trainer is the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Too intense? You could always trade that in for a leisurely bike ride down the Mountains to Sea trail to Castlecliff, for a walk on the beach and a coffee at the Citadel Cafe on Rangiora St.

8

If you sent your mum running by throwing banana paste her, try tempting her back with a gift voucher from one of the numerous beauty therapists in Whanganui. Why not throw a massage in too?

9

The Whanganui Music Society is hosting a Mother’s Day concert at St Paul’s Hall on Cooks St this Sunday. A vocal and instrumental recital begins at 2pm, featuring Ingrid Culliford, Win Livesay and others. Afternoon tea will follow, and anyone is welcome to attend. There is a $5 entry fee for non-members.

10

Recreating one of your baby photos is a cheap, heartfelt, and potentially terrifying Mother’s Day gift. Alternatively, you could make a time-lined photo collage of you and her together through the years. That could also prove to be quite terrifying, however.