Queen for a day
Life stylist Kathryn Neale has gift ideas for every mother in your life.
On Mother’s Day, I imagine myself stretched out somewhere comfortable, being fanned by my children while my husband feeds me seafood. Understandably, my reality is always slightly different. In actuality, I get a quick breakfast in bed, then my husband undles the kids out the door to take his mother out to lunch. My very English mother-in-law insists Mother’s Day is all about her. I would call my mother to moan, but she’s in New Zealand, not New York, and she doesn’t appreciate me calling in the middle of the night. My husband tries to convince me that the peace and quie tis y real gift. But once I’m alone I start wondering what they are eating and whether they will bring me back something. I feel quite bad for partners out there balancing the egos of the women in their lives. My husband definitely walks a tightrope when it comes to keeping his mother happy and rying to head off a hissy fit by yours truly. So here is my gift to all those who are shopping for Mother’s Day, a selection of gifts whether you’re buying for our own mum, your children’s mum, or just a mum you think needs a little appreciation. I read a great book on motherhood recently, Breasts and Egg, by Japanese writer Mieko Kawakami (Pan Macmillan, $38). The book was a disruptive sensation when it was released in Japan. In America, it was a bestseller as modern feminism at its best. On the surface, it is about one woman’s quest to have a baby. At its heart, it is the story of mothers, sisters, nieces, and all their human pieces trying to fit together. The only vacuum cleaner that is an acceptable gift for Mother’s Day is an automatic one. Bonus points if it also mops. The fact you can operate the Kogan smart robot vacuum cleaner and mop ($169) from your phone while you’re on your couch adds to its appeal. My husband gets me a pair of The Mohair & Possum Store’s Possum Merino Socks ($33, from mohairpossumstore.com) every year, and I love them. Sliding your feet into a fresh pair when the weather turns is magic. Karen Walker’s Nomadic State of Mind JC Sandals ($130) are the perfect house shoes for comfort and cleanliness. Your mum can wander around her house, looking chic while enjoying a nice foot massage from the textured soles. If the last time you made your mother breakfast in bed, there was spillage, perhaps new bed linen is in order this Mother’s Day. The Linen Duvet Cover from Sage & Clare ($419, available from teapea.co.nz), is a luxurious choice.
Breakfast in bed on a beautiful Floral Basket Bouquet Tray ($178, from cranfields.co.nz) that is also a gift would make an extra sweet surprise.
You could wrap mum up in a Lumi Cardigan from Humidity ($159 from wendysboutique.co.nz) or give her a pair of Organic Cotton Stripe pyjamas from Papinelle ($99). It’s becoming harder and harder to find pyjamas without any synthetic components, so it might be an idea to get a pair for yourself at the same time. A good-looking yoghurt maker is hard to resist, especially if you have a mum who loves to cook or who is keen to reduce waste. With this Country Trading Co Stainless Steel Yoghurt Maker ($70), fresh yoghurt is as easy as pressing a button. I always stock up on Margaret Hema’s Millennium Face & Body Oil ($150) when I am in New Zealand. After a shower, I use it generously on my face, then whatever is left on my hands goes on my body. It doesn’t leave a sticky residue, and using it once or twice a week keeps my skin supple. I love to mismatch earrings. I usually pair a larger stud with a light strand or drop. The Karen Walker Start Stop Studs ($159) are a cool take on that idea for someone who usually wears their pairs together. These are smart, modern, and look well-balanced. Anyone who grows their own plants has the opportunity to harvest the seeds each year. The Save Your Own Seeds guide ($25, from Koanga Institute) will help the garden-loving mother in your life get started. Koanga has more than 30 years of seed-saving experience with heritage seeds in New Zealand. The Art of Composting and Growing Nutrient Dense Foods are also from its library. Splash out on all three to keep your beloved gardener busy.