National Post (National Edition)
JUST FOR HER
SOME GIFTS IDEAS DESIGNED TO HELP MOM ENJOY A WELL-DESERVED BREAK
What can you get the woman who does everything? The perfect Mother's Day gift is not too extravagant (moms don't expect that) and strikes a balance between indulgent, thoughtful and practical. And remember, a little bit of self care can go a long way, no matter how old her children are.
That said, here's a guide to giving Mom what she wants — what she really, really wants. Well, other than hugs and quiet time. Those are just a given.
BATHTUB TRAY WITH WINE HOLDER
$66.54
Available at: Etsy.ca
Add a rustic spa touch to her bathing ritual with a wooden tub tray that includes a handy spot to slide in the stem of her wine glass. Etsy seller TheCraftyHammer lets you select a custom length, stain, handle finish and even personalized lettering for the seven-inchwide caddy. Just add bubbles (and wine).
BEARABY COTTON NAPPER
$309
Available at: Bearaby.ca
Take the weight of the world off Mom's shoulders and use it to help her sleep instead. Toronto-based Bearaby's Cotton Napper has garnered acclaim for its therapeutic properties and chic design. The soft, organic cotton weighted blanket — available in 15, 20 or 25 pounds — helps stimulate the production of serotonin (the happy hormone), while reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) and increasing melatonin to help Mom fall asleep faster and have a deeper sleep overall. The chunky-knit Napper comes in an array of subtle yet cute colours that make it an attractive couch or bed accent, too.
PERSONALIZED STATIONERY
Starting at $46 Available at: Minted.com
If Mom is into classic correspondence, pretty up her paper pile with some personalized stationery. Minted's Watercolour Lotus design is an especially feminine and floral way to dress up her letters, but there are many other options on the website to suit her style. Take it a step further by adding photos or pre-made labels for her return address.
MOTHER'S DAY RITUAL KIT
$177 Available at: Keyssoulcare.com
Give Mom the tools she needs to plot her escape — at least to the bathroom — with Keys Soulcare's luxurious care package. The kit from the brand created by singer-songwriter Alicia Keys includes a Sage + Oat Milk Candle to set the mood and put her senses at ease, a stretchy spa headband to keep her locks at bay so she can focus on her skin, a sandalwood-scented hydrating charcoal Harmony Mask, Keys' moisturizing Skin Transformation Cream and a bottle of the Let Me Glow Illuminating Serium to prime her face for makeup and keep that glow going.
FRESH THREADS
Starting at $50 Available at: Hatley.com
Mom is probably looking to refresh her wardrobe for the warmer months, so why not spoil her with a couple of summery staples from Quebec-bred fashion house Hatley? The brand began when John Oldland silkscreened his wife Alice Oldland's whimsical animal paintings onto aprons and later became a family business operated by their three sons. Best known for its adorable classic rainwear for kids, Hatley has spent the last decade branching out into women's clothing with a focus on universally flattering fits that are equal parts style and comfort. If we had to choose, our picks for Mom's summer closet would be the Floral Pointelle Sweater (it comes in three vibrant hues) paired with the Everywhere Shorts and the Lauren Eyelet dress — a delicate frock primed for brunch on the patio.
COLOUR-CHANGING PHOTO MUG
$19.99
Available at: Fujifilmprintlife.ca
Oh another Mother's Day mug ... how original, right? But wait: Fujifilm's freshly brewed colour-changing photo mug is unlike the rest.
While it arrives basic black in appearance, a heat-activated photo (chosen by you on the website) will appear when she pours her java in. Printlife also has personalizable options for wine o'clock, including bottle tote bags and tumblers for taking that vino outdoors. You can add photos and text to really make them her own. Nothing cliché about that.
BAMBOO SLEEPWEAR
$87 & $132 Available at: Nestdesigns.
com, select retailers
No one appreciates cosy jammies more than Mom. Take her sleepwear up a notch with a bamboo silk cotton robe. Nest Designs' sleek and super-soft robes have a snap-down front and come in three patterns perfect for sunny morning coffee. And they have pockets! Nest's two-piece long sleeve bamboo cotton PJ set has a button-up front, and comes in five adorably quirky nature-inspired patterns. What's the big deal with bamboo? It's softer than silk, antibacterial, wrinkle resistant and helps regulate body temperature — so about as mom-friendly as materials get.
EAMES CLASSIC DESIGNS PUZZLE
$27.99 Available at: Toys “R” Us,
Mastermind, Amazon Moms prone to flipping on HGTV in the evenings can always use a viewing companion — and a home decor-themed jigsaw puzzle does the trick. Ravensburger's new 1,000-piece puzzle celebrating world-renowned designers Charles and Ray Eames, features images of the duo's famed furnishings and fabrics that are fun to piece together — and challenging, too, making the final reveal that much better.
AUDIO BOOKS
$14.95 (one month) — $162.95 (12 months) Available at: Audible.ca
Audio books are a hands free, sand free way for Mom to fit in some “reading” while she's gardening or lounging on the beach this summer. Audible offers gifting options of all types for all budgets, whether you go big with the all-access Plus Catalogue or stick with a new title or two. The service's 2022 Mother's Day favourites include Forever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy, Molly Shannon's memoir Hello Molly, Dana K. White's Organizing for the Rest of Us, Kristen Ashley's romance The Girl in the Mist, true crime thriller Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession, Viola Davis's upcoming memoir Finding Me and Jonathan Van Ness' anticipated Love That Story.