Best gifts for mum 2021: Thoughtful and personalised present ideas for your top lady
Gift shopping can be.. an experience, particularly when trying to buy something for someone who means so much. Mums, and mother figures like grandmas, aunties and close family friends, can be notoriously tricky customers, whether they’re hard to shop for in the first place, or because a gift to her needs to convey the sorts of things that are hard to gift-wrap.
Yet, there are special presents that will hit the mark, from gourmet hampers to indulgent beauty she would never splash out on for herself.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer choice on offer, we’ve sifted through the selection to bring you a gift guide filled with things every mum is bound to love.
Mother may know best, but we’ve got the right gift to bring her joy and happiness no matter the occasion.
See our favourites below
Christian Louboutin Loubikiss fragrance
If your mum is a fragrance lover, this beautiful perfume from Christian Louboutin will hit the mark. From the showpiece bottle to the heady, rose scent within, everything about Loubikiss is designed to turn heads. It’s part of Louboutin’s Loubiworld collection of fragrances - seven scents bottled in that signature red and finished with an ornate cap. One for collectors of finery.
SpaceNK The Essential Box For Her
Packing a whole host of the luxury beauty retailer’s best-selling products in one handy box, this will solve your Mother’s Day shopping woes in one fell swoop. Valued at £156, it contains full-sized versions of beauty editor-favourite Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, the glow-getting Tan-Luxe Super Glow, uplifting Neom Happiness Diffuser, and groundbreaking Hourglass mascara as well as travel-sized Living Proof Phd Dry Shampoo and Caudalie Beauty Elixir.
Klimchi Underlay Violet Hobnail Jug
That curious spiky jug currently setting your newsfeed ablaze? It’s a crystal lead-free design from Klimchi. Available in an array of chic colours, it’s the perfect gift for the host and homemaker. She can use it to display flowers (fresh or dried) when she’s not showing it off at future dinner parties. Dishwasher safe, holds two litres.
Papier Feast Recipe Cards
From the Hoste by Laura Jackson collection comes these Feast recipe cards so she can preserve instructions for her legendary roast, curries and comfort food dishes safely. Have them personalised to make it really special.
Carolina Herrera Limited Edition Lipstick Cases and Accessories
A perfectly charming collection of limited edition lipstick and cases, Caroline Herrera’s beauty accessories are the perfect mini Mother’s Day treat. Choose from a selection of red and pinks before choosing the perfect case (£17) and charms (from £8) to complete the gift.
Big Mamma’s Cucina Popolare Book
Serious brownie points are in store for the child that gifts the Big Mamma Cucina Popolare cookbook this Mother’s Day. Packed with delicious ideas that champion a new style of Italian cooking, there are 120 recipes she’ll be itching to try. As much a gift for you as her.
Katie Loxton Mum’s Sleeping Eye Mask
It’s been a hard year. Give mum the gift of a decent night’s kip with Katie Loxton’s cute sleep mask, embroidered with the warning “Shhh… Mum’s Sleeping” in elegant script.
Etro Antibes Printed Silk-Twill Scarf
A pretty scarf to be worn in the neck or in hair will revive her wardrobe. Etro’s luxe silk-twill design is Italian-made and will add a delightful pop of colour to neutral palettes.
Whispering Angel 75cl
You only have to check social bellwether Instagram to see the hype about Whispering Angel rose is real. Made in Château d’Esclans’ cellars, Whispering Angel is a quintessential Côtes de Provence rosé. Fresh and fruity, perfect for sipping in the garden.
Biscuiteers Mother’s Day Flowers Biscuit Tin
Flowers in a different form, this edible bouquet from Biscuiteers can’t fail to raise a smile. Presented in a keepsake tin, there are nine floral sweet treats for her to tuck into during her next brew.
Yellowpop Neon Artwork
Not like a regular mom? We hear you. Bring the shining light of your love to her walls with a personalised sign from Yellowpop. Choose from a variety of fonts and colours, or check out the shop for ready-made signs and symbols that will deliver bags of personality to her space - this GOAT design feels particularly fitting.
Gift cards also available for inscrutable types.
Jimmy Choo I Want Choo
The latest Jimmy Choo fragrance comes in a blush pink bottle with the luxury label’s new brand in gold with a matching top, a look that will sit pride of place on her dresser. I Want Choo is made for lovers of sweet, oriental fragrances, playful yet glamorous all at once. Sound like anyone you know?
Le Creuset Cast Iron Signature Round Casserole, Shell Pink
If your mum’s happy place is her kitchen, Le Creuset’s iconic casserole dish is a superb gift. Made of strong, durable cast iron, it’s endlessly versatile: use it in the oven, on the hob, under the grill, and, when the weather improves, on the BBQ too. Comes with a lifetime guarantee.
If this particular dish is out of your budget, the French brand also offers a range of tableware that will provoke equally loud squeals of delight.
Bobbi Brown x Needle & Thread Pretty Powerful Pouch
The beauty behemoth has teamed up with Needle & Thread this year to create a gift set, with a portion of the profits going to Smart Works Charity. Designed to celebrate your first beauty icon - your mother - the limited edition collection includes bestsellers like Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick, Pot Rouge, Mini Smokey Eye Mascara, a trvel-sized Soothing Cleansing Oil and mini Vitamin Enriched Face Base, all presented in a pretty embroidered pouch.
Neighbourhood Botanicals Dream Dream Dream Night Oil
Radiance in a bottle, Neighbourhood Botanicals is full of natural ingredients that help regenerate skin cells overnight, leaving her feeling and looking her finest. Cute nightstand-worthy packaging too.
I Came To Boogie Wall Art
From kitchen raves to sofa-side bopping, your best dance moves came from your mum. We know, because ours did too. Seal your Dancing Queen’s status with this groovy framed print from Oliver Bonas. The gold foil and black lettering pops on a bubblegum pink background, and comes ready to hang in a black frame.
Perrier-JoueÌt Anemone Biscuit Collection
Whose mum doesn't deserve a thorough spoiling? If she's partial to the finer things in life, this bubbles and biscuit mini hamper will leave her beaming with joy.
Featuring a 75cl bottle of premium champagne Perrier-JoueÌt alongside salted caramel mini cakes finished with pretty mosaic detail, it's an easy way to upgrade her afternoon tea to something truly special. Choose from a box of 9 or 16.
The Forest & Co. Personalised Breakfast Tray
It’s the little things that mum might appreciate the most. Present her with a lovely personalised tray, perfect for serving breakfast or taking tea in the garden.
No.3 Gin x Wildabout Gin & Garnish Bouquet
Upgrade a bunch of flowers by adding a bottle of luxury gin to the mix. No. 3 Gin has teamed up with Wildabout flowers to create this special offering. They're not just any flowers though - some of the stems included (rosemary, mint, lavender, sage and thyme) can be used as a garnish to her G&T or gin cocktail.
Nathalie Lete Titania Lidded Serving Bowl
Anthropologie’s collab with French artist Nathalie Lete has given a few gifting options for the special lady in your life. Our favourite? This serving bowl, finished with sculpted and hand painted flowers and topped with a lid. Dishwasher and microwave safe.
Irene Forte The Aliai Package
A triple-action luxury skincare set to revitalise her bathroom cabinet as well as her complexion. Irene Forte's natural skincare set is a perfect token of your affections to give mum. Made with vegan ingredients sourced from the brand's own organic farm in Sicily, there's an almond cleansing milk, almond eye cream and indulgent rose face oil to add to her beauty routine. If bought separately, the contents would total £275.
Shop Irene Forte at Net-A-Porter
Hush Arundel Slippers
We may all be padding around the house these days, but that doesn’t mean mumma can’t do it in style. These sinkably-soft shearling sliders comes in a choice of colours and will bm u her staging in wardrobe.
Arizona Pot
With spring here, it’s time to rehouse plants into new pots - a task on the calendar of any plant-loving mum. Second only to you, give her plant babies a new place to call home in Anthropologie’s bright, cheerful terracotta pots which come in a range of sizes, ready to display indoors.
Edinburgh Gin + free art print
What was once known as 'mother's ruin' has turned into the drink of the decade. Gin is a firm favourite in drinks cabinets everywhere, and Edinburgh Gin is giving you even more reason to buy a bottle for your dearest. The brand has teamed up with empowerment artist Yharnna Joseph to offer free limited edition prints with every purchase of gin.
Lavendar Green Flowers ‘Make it for Mum’ kit
A sweet idea for small children hoping to show mum how much they care, Lavender Green Flowers has created a new postal kit just for March 14. The ‘Make it for Mum’ parcel comes with pre-cut flowers, ribbon, twine and easy instructions to help little ones arrange a bouquet for their mothers, with adult supervision (so partners, take note). A lovely treat on its own, or to accompany a special breakfast in bed.
Mirabeau Rose Gin
Presented in a beautiful blush pink bottle, this dry gin is infused with rose petals and wild botanicals plucked from the Mirabeau wine estate in France. The delicate flavours are lovely in a cocktail or classic G&T, served with plenty of ice and a wedge of lemon to coax out the citrus notes.
Perfectif Night Even Skin Tone Cream by RéVive
Make your mum look even lovelier by adding some luxe skincare to her nightly routine. ReVive’s night cream contains hero ingredient retinol to even dark spots while she sleeps. The 50ml pot has a pump dispenser to keep the cream sealed until it’s time to apply. This also means there’s no chance of overdoing it and wasting a single drop. Other ingredients include peptides and vit c to brighten. She’ll wake up looking like a refreshed, more youthful version of herself.
Hampton & Astley Woodland Blossom & Wild Fig scented candle
Boutique bedding brand Hampton & Astley offers more than sheets. They’re all about creating a calming, serene environment just before bedtime, and that extends to lightly fragranced candles. This generous hand poured 235g candle has a burn time of 50 hours filling the space with meadow-fresh notes. Dreamy.
The Mindful Cook Chocolate Making Course and Kit
Whether you’re spending the special day with mum or not, this kit makes a great gift for the woman who loves a little indulgent cooking. Filled with high-quality, ethical ingredients, there’s everything she’ll need to make gourmet dark chocolates - including silicone moulds, a mini whisk and spatula.
The Five Minutes Peace Hamper
It’s not easy being a mum, especially during the pandemic when home-schooling has been added to the mix. Give the gift of five minutes out with this cute hamper from Don’t Buy Her Flowers. Filled with Teapigs tea, shortbread and Neal’s Yard bubble bath, it’s a quick treat with oodle of thought that stressed out mums will adore.
Earl of East Wildflower Gift Set
Transport mum to a tranquil meadow with this gift set from Earl of East, which pairs a fragrant soy wax candle with a coordinating home mist spray. Revive her space with sweet-floral Wildflower, a fragrance carrying notes of jasmine, gardenia and rose geranium. Lovely.
Alternatively, there is a gin and candle gift set featuring a 20cl bottle of The Botanist Gin, (£35).
Lola Rose London Mama Necklace
Treat your mum to the bling she deserves with this Mama necklace from London-based designer Lola Rose. For something as special as the starring lady in your life, it is crafted in sterling silver but available in gold, rose gold or rhodium plating. The letters are embellished with diamonds and set individually across the 37cm chain.
We also love similar versions from cult LA jeweller Jennifer Meyer (£675), the playful Alison Lou (£705), Aurum + Grey (£260) and Rachel Jackson (£65).
Roberts Beacon 320 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Dusty Pink
Whether she loves warbling along to ABBA or wants to catch up on podcasts in style, Roberts Bluetooth Beacon speaker, is the perfect upgrade to her audio kit. It offers rich sound in multiple directions, and it's portable too with 12 hour playback, so she can take it everywhere from the garden to picnics with her mates.
Available in a choice of three elegant colours.
PUMA Suede VTG Trainers
For a pair of fresh kicks, it doesn't much more stylish than Puma's suede pair, in a shade called High Risk Red. They're available in an array of sizes and come with metallic gold logo detailing for that extra flair.
Snail & Hare beauty gift vouchers
Small businesses need our support now more than ever. If you're thinking about spoiling your mum with a chic new manicure, a facial or a relaxing massage, head to Snail & Hare, a new salon just off Oxford Street. We can vouch for the manicures; done with ethical vegan varnishes, you can add an array of cool nail art looks designed by the salon (so you won't get it anywhere else).
There are also packages to book in for head-to-toe pampering.
Rachel Jackson London Star Studded Bangle Gold
A simple piece of jewellery that will suit all tastes, this gorgeous gold bracelet is finished with tiny star etchings. Sure to get the mum nod of approval. Also available in silver.
Also available at Rachel Jackson London
Lashify Control Kit
Salon trips are on hold for the time being, but you can still give the gift of fabulous lashes thanks to Lashify. Offering an easy way to DIY lash extensions at home, the starter kit will see her peepers framed with dark, dramatic lashes in no time at all. Application is a little fiddly to begin with, but once you’ve got the knack, applying the delicate lashes is a breeze - trust us, we’ve got the killer wink to prove it.
Galerie du Thé
If your mum loves nothing more than relaxing with a fresh brew, open up her world with the delightful gift sets at luxury tea house, Galerie du Thé. There are artisan leaves from some of the world’s best producers - varieties include Black, Green, Oolong and White teas along with a selection of elegant accessories and teaware to make sure she gets the most out of every sip.
PortoVino Classic Collection bag
This innocent-looking bag has a boozy little secret - it can hide two whole bottles of vino (or 1.5L) in a zippered insulated pocket which will keep it chilled for hours. She can use it now for park walks with pals, and into the summer for picnics and days out. The minimal design means it will go with everything and there’s plenty of room in the main compartment for all the essentials. Far chicer than a cool bag.
Estee Lauder Limited-Edition Gold Advanced Night Repair, 50ml
Housed in a beautiful gold gift bottle, Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair may just be the show-stopping present you have been searching for. The hero product is a must for mature skin; simply smooth a few drops onto the face and neck before bed for glowing, younger-looking skin.
Jo Malone Midnight Musk & Amber Cologne, 100ml
Is she a fan of beautiful scents? If so, Jo Malone London is always a sure-fire win. This particular fragrance, Midnight Musk & Amber, was inspired by 20s railroad glamour and has a gorgeous faceted cologne bottle. It’s pure magic.
Edge of Ember x Inthefrow Orion Necklace - Gold
This stunning necklace of 18ct gold-plate with topaz stones is the perfect way to let your mum know how much you care. Made in collaboration with Inthefrow’s Victoria Macgrath, it’s inspired by the brightest constellation in the night sky and is a simple but chic piece that’s bound to become her favourite piece in her jewellery box. Engraving and gift wrapping available.
One4all Gift Card
For the mums that are impossible to buy for, the One4all Gift Card covers all bases. Whether she wants to splash out on a new piece of homeware or update her 2021 wardrobe, this little card can help.
Shop goods from more than 55,000 stores across the UK - think M&S, John Lewis, Rituals, H&M, Warehouse, The Perfume Shop, B&Q and more.
And if you've left getting her gift to the eleventh hour, the card can be sent directly to her phone by getting the One4all Digital Gift Card instead. Just be sure to load it up with a healthy amount to avoid a scolding - you can add anything from £10 to £120.
A gift card may seem impersonal, but for mums with exacting tastes, it's the perfect way to let her get what she really wants.
The White Company Cashmere Bed Socks
Gorgeously made and beautiful on the skin, these socks will save your mum from the scourge of chilly toes this spring. As well as this elegant camel shade, they come in pale blue, rose and clean white.
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