Dear Mother
As Mother’s Day rolls around again, you may be feeling lost for creative ideas on how to make this special woman feel truly appreciated. She might say she wants nothing — but some pampering, a bit of luxury and some quality time together will make her day. Monique Barden has put together a selection of great ideas, including gifts and experiences, from high teas to fun experiences and gifts for all budgets.
HIGH
High tea has become synonymous with Mother’s Day and for good reason, she does after all deserve the royal treatment and these modern fusion offerings on the traditional British version will make a great family outing.
Hunting Lodge, Waimauku
The Hunting Lodge has curated a luxurious high tea for Mother's Day. The Waimauku-based restaurant and winery are offering a threecourse dining experience which includes the classic cucumber sandwiches and scones but also an indulgent hazelnut choux bun and vanilla and lemon baked cheesecake.
11.30am-3pm
$55 per person, $22.50 children, under-5s free.
305/307 Waikoukou Valley Rd, Waimauku. Ph (09) 964 0565 thehuntinglodge.com
Buko Mother’s Day High Tea, Alberton House
Alberton House and award-winning Filipino chef William Mordido have designed an exquisite high tea menu tailored to Mum.
The Buko Mother’s Day High Tea will offer a unique blend of Filipino flavours, set in the beautiful gardens of historic Alberton House. Take Mum for brunch at 11am or afternoon tea at 2.30pm, with a glass of sparkling rose´ on arrival, and finish with a guided tour of Alberton House and a gift. Ten per cent of the profits generated through the event will be donated to Women’s Refuge.
Alberton House, 100 Mount Albert Rd, Mount Albert, $70 per person willmordido.com/buko/
IN BED
Start the day as you mean to go on and really give Mum the day off with breakfast in bed, preferably after a sleep-in. Let Brunch Box do all the preparation for you and deliver the day before. Choose from their brunch menu or build your own and she’ll be super impressed at your culinary wizardry. brunchbox.co.nz
Take things to the next level and bestow Mum with some luxe cotton pyjamas personalised with her initials or name with complimentary monogramming from Laing Home. Abbey pyjama set in antique blush, luxury pure cotton poplin, $235 lainghome.com
ART
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a visit to Auckland Art Gallery and The Kimchi Project. Start with the Frances Hodgkins: European Journeys tribute to the extraordinary New Zealand artist. The exhibition of 150 artworks produced between 1901-1946, showcases her unique and adventurous life in Europe, the creative influences of her time in France, Morocco and Spain and her later life in England as a modernist painter.
Until September 1.
Early bird $10, New Zealand adults $14, concessions $12, Children 12 and under free Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Ta¯ maki, Wellesley St E, Auckland. aucklandartgallery.co.nz All that creative inspiration will make you hungry, so venture down to Lorne St’s The Kimchi Project to sample some Korean-inspired fare. Don’t be fooled by the small entrance, there is a large, covered courtyard at the back that makes this a great family-friendly destination. thekimchiproject.nz
PICNIC
For a glorious autumn picnic, head to Sabato for gastronomic antipasto hamper supplies and take Mum to Cornwall Park for a feast among the autumnal leaves. sabato.co.nz
Cornwall Park, Green Lane W, Epsom.
Then wander over to Stardome, where mums, grandmas, aunties and any motherly figure in your life have free entry to all shows, where she can sit back, relax and take in the universe. Bookings are essential.
670 Manukau Rd, Epsom. stardome.org.nz/show/mothers-day/