It’s not always about the price tag, so try these affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas
Since becoming a mother, I’ve learned how complex, messy and relentless raising children can be. Chances are, if you’re a mum, you’re nodding your head while reading this.
Despite its beauty and life-giving experience, being a mum requires us to access an extra dose of patience and energy daily. Knowing this, I can’t help but ask myself: Is one day a year truly enough to celebrate your mother and show her how much you care?
There are numerous ways to show love on Mother’s Day; however, if you’d like to do something a little more special than the requisite Mother’s Day card or box of chocolates, might I suggest a few simple, meaningful and affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas?
1. Recreate or start a family tradition
Despite the chaos of the past couple of years, sharing a meal is a tradition we consistently keep, giving everyone a deep breath in and out, a moment to pause time and remember how important family is. Perhaps a specific recipe reminds you of home, or is there a dish passed down the family line?
Celebrate Mother’s Day by sharing the secret to making Grandma’s decadent chocolate pudding or Aunt Pauline’s caramel pie (see our yummy vegan sticky date pudding with coconut butterscotch sauce recipe below). And, if there is no family recipe to speak of, be the one to start a new tradition.
2. Write a letter
There’s so much joy to be experienced in writing a letter. Taking the time to slow down and put pen to paper, the thoughts, the words, the sending, and the reading. Have you ever considered how much magic is in the process? Not only for the receiver but for yourself, too?
The tactile and considered nature of a letter helps us experience love more deeply than a text, email, or phone call. The art of writing a letter is as simple as it comes, yet it’s so incredibly personal, something to cherish and hold on to.
3. Learn something new together
Book a pottery, cooking, or dance class for you to enjoy together. A flower-arranging workshop is another lovely idea. When learning something new, you’ll be able to bond over the mishaps and discoveries, creating connections and memories along the way.
4. Make a playlist
The mix tape – a curation of intentionally arranged songs – is one of the most endearing forms of love. And although digital playlists have replaced the likes of a cassette or CD, the concept is still lovely and meaningful.
A few songs that spring to mind include You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder, That’s How Strong My Love Is by Otis Redding and Where You Lead by Carole King.
5. Plan an impromptu night away
Book a boutique hotel or Airbnb somewhere nearby and take your mum away for a fun and unique excursion. Even better, book a massage or beauty treatment for her while you’re there.
6. Wander your local gardens
Pack a picnic lunch, pick up your mum on the way, and head out to your local botanical gardens for a wander to admire this season’s blooms. Don’t have any gardens in your local area? Bring a bright and beautiful pot plant to her instead.
Vegan sticky date pudding with coconut butterscotch sauce
INGREDIENTS
Sticky date pudding
- 1½ cups dates, soaked in boiling water for at least 1 hour
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 11/3 cups coconut oil, melted
- 1½ cups spelt flour
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp sea salt
Butterscotch sauce
- ½ cup maple or rice malt syrup
- 1 cup coconut cream
- ¾ cup vegan spread (like an olive oil spread)
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
Method:
- Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease a 20cm bundt cake tin with a little melted coconut oil.
- Drain the water from the dates, then place dates in a food processor with the remaining pudding ingredients, and process until well combined. Pour the mixture into the cake tin and spread out evenly.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle.
- Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully turning out onto a serving platter.
- While the pudding is baking, make the Butterscotch Sauce. Place the syrup, coconut cream, vegan spread and spices in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 6–8 minutes.
- Serve the pudding warm with the Butterscotch Sauce poured over the top.
Words: Eleanor Ozich
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