Happy Mother's Day! Gift Ideas & Traditions to help Celebrate.

Mother's Day is my favourite day of the year. It's a celebration that I truly feel I've earned and I fully accept the adoration, pampering and gifts bestowed upon me!

Of course it's never perfect...and I wouldn't have it any other way.  This is when memories are made and these become the glue that holds a family together.  Shared experiences of moments when life was imperfect.  Admittedly, so much funnier after a little time has passed!  Unique memories re-told around the dinner table, that become somewhat embellished over time.  Letting go of the 'idea' of motherhood and embracing the reality is truly a gift that keeps on giving all year round!

When my first born was still little and the second a mere babe (which explains why I may not have been functioning with a clear mind), I was living a state away from my mum but my new little growing family and I were getting the hang of celebrating Mother's Day together - or so we thought.  Lovely gifts and thoughtful cards were given and coffee brought into bed.  It was a glorious day and we decided to walk up the street.  We bumped into friends and I thought, how curious, no mention of mothers day.  We had a lovely lunch and as the day progressed, I followed up my earlier message to my own mum with a phone call to see how her day was going, and settle into a nice long chat.  And then the realisation occurred.  We had officially lost our minds and celebrated a whole week early!  Thankfully my husband has a sense of humour.  He then created a second lovely Mother's Day for me the following Sunday!   

Lucky for him, I crave an easy Mother's Day of simple pleasures and going slow.  No fanfare required, no guessing games of what I like and don't like.  I want everyone else to look forward to it also!

My Mother's Day Wishlist (give or take some spilled tea and a tantrum or two!)

Over the years, Mother's Day for my family has varied as we've moved states and added to our numbers.  We've found that small and simple feels right and it's evolved to look like this: 

A Tidy House: I love the feel of waking up to a tidy house.  It happens rarely and the knowledge that I don't have to get up to face the aftermath of the previous day is a gift in itself!

Cuddles (and Coffee) in Bed!

Cards are Essential:  Home made from the kids and one that my husband purchased and chose (himself). I have a collection and love to look over them. They are like mini time capsules reminding me of special moments.

Brunch: is my favourite meal but location is key! Somewhere with a bit more than the usual fare but space for the kids if when they get restless - and so I can have a second coffee. (Mother's Day brunch for us is technically a Breakfast sitting.  My crew can't last until 10!)

A Coffee Table Book and a bit of time to nest on the couch and pour over it: This is my Mothers day treat to myself (given to my husband to wrap and give back to me).

Games with the kids/A favourite family movie: I really like spending time with the people I made and who made me a Mother!

Dinner with my Mum & A Roast Chicken cooked by my Husband:  Made with amazing stuffing and gravy - his own mother's recipe!

No catch-up of domestic duties the next day: Okay this is a dream but I'll worry about that tomorrow!

5 Tips for Buying a Truly Awesome Mother's Day Gift.

Mum's tend to be the keepers of stuff!  The more kids you have and the older they get the more stuff you have!  Stuff can be terribly labour intensive.  Keeping track of it, looking after it, finding places for it.  It's physical and mental clutter!  All the more reason to be discerning when buying for mum. Here are some things to consider:

1. Buy things that Mum will actually want to use.

2. Give gifts from the Heart and Handmade Treasures!

3. Choose well designed things that become keepsakes.

4. Select things that show Mum her family really know her.

5. Purchase little luxuries that Mum's don't buy for themselves.

With this is mind, let's talk Gift Ideas!  Here are some lovely things for mum...

A few of the Best Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Books make beautiful keepsakes and, when thought and care go into the choosing, they are the perfect Mother's Day gift and can convey how much Mum's mean to their family.

Remember Mama - a Loving Book for Mothers celebrates Motherhood and contains thoughtful reminders to mums about how important they are! 

Mum's are not just the keepers of stuff - they are also the carriers of stuff!  And they need bags for all occasions and in many different sizes.

The  Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bag is the perfect compact companion for mum's to pop in their pocket or into a smaller bag for when they need to carry more than they anticipate (which is always)!  The lovely thing about this bag is that it comes in multiple colours and patterns and can also double as a gift bag for other Mothers Day Goodies.  No gift wrap wastage and it creates a beautifully presented gift for mum.

At the other end of the spectrum,  The Evermore Lily Lifestyle Bag is the Mother of all Bags. It is the perfect sized 'big bag' that can go anywhere and suits a multitude of occasion's.  It is lightweight, robust, folds up compactly and has strategically placed pockets.  Perfect as a hospital bag for expecting soon to be mum's or those with many who have lots of things to hold and deserve something pretty to put it all in. Any mum would be delighted to sling this over her shoulder and be on her way!

While a room of her own may be too much to expect surely mum's should have their very own water bottle - free of dents and bite marks and crusty food.

The EARTH BOTTLE Stainless Steel Water Bottle is a design classic.  It keeps water really lovely and cold for many hours and is completely at home on a bedside table, kitchen bench or desk as a beautiful object that says "we love you mum and we want you to have nice things" (and sorry for destroying most of them).

PJ's as gifts is a bit of a thing in my family.  We certainly didn't invent the giving of new sleepwear on festive occasions, but we fully embrace this as a tradition every year.  Even my teenager will wear them - if only when he gets up the next day!  My rationale is that when photo's are taken the morning of said event, we can look back and everyone appears half decent (and possibly colour coordinated)!

Every mum I know, when awoken early on Mother's Day (due to the excitement of small children wanting to give their hand made creations) would appreciate looking good in new sleepwear.  Partners take note.  Give her an early Mother's Day present the night before so she can wake up feeling lovely.

Nothing says love like Nursing Sleepwear.  Mum's can stay warm and not have to get half naked through the night to feed. These super soft and luxurious Maternity & Nursing Robes by Posh Peanut are more than up to the job of helping mum easily breastfeed a hungry bub through the night and then wake up feeling stylish enough for the requisite Mother's Day morning photo op in bed (burnt toast optional).

Mother's Day in Australia usually heralds the first of the cold weather.  For this reason I have a lovely collection of knits and woolly pieces that are luxurious and, I swear, extra warm because they were given with love by my family on Mother's Day.  Quality knitwear lasts the distance.

This  MILKER Striped Breastfeeding Jumper will ensure no nursing mum goes cold this winter.  Made from Organic Cotton it is super soft, functional and will endure.  Click here for more styles of Breastfeeding Jumpers.

Mothers of the world, wherever you are this Mother's Day I hope you are appreciated and loved.  (So many of the brands we collaborate with are made by mum's for mum's.)  

Happy Mothers Day from the Team at Milk & Love, may your day be the right amount of perfect!

About the author

Rosanna is a mum of 4 who has always loved fashion, lives for school holidays, and finds it impossible to put down (or not binge watch) a good story. She loves to help customers create a functional wardrobe that makes it easy and enjoyable to get ready in the morning, while have something to wear for every occasion, and most importantly, feel lovely and stylish. Read more about Rosanna here.