Image: Unsplash For the first time in our collective living memory, Mother’s Day will prove to be a very different event this year. However, whether you are lucky enough to be at home with your mom or, even if you’re living apart, there are still many creative ways in which to make her feel special and tell her how much you appreciate her.
Aimee Miller, sales and marketing manager at online retailer Teljoy, offers some useful tips to making it a special day for mothers even during these unusual times:
Make it old fashioned
If you’re still living at home, or if your mother lives with you, there’s always the old-fashioned but still loved traditional ways, like breakfast in bed and homemade gifts. For families that really need to watch the spending, consider making the always much-valued handmade “IOU” gift vouchers that could be “redeemed” by mom over the course of the coming weeks, from undertaking to do the chores she does for you on a daily basis, to “extra” hugs and kisses.
Take over the kitchen
Also for those living with mom under the same roof, a specially prepared Mother’s Day lunch will be far more memorable than any meal in a restaurant. Make all of her favourite dishes (hope you’ve been paying attention all these years!), or go online to find a recipe using foods she loves. Even better, cook something new in the kitchen together. Numerous local South African chefs have delicious recipes and how-to videos on their websites, such as those presented by the ever popular Siba Mtongana or local-boy-made-Michelin-famous Jan Hendrick van der Westhuizen.
Take mom online
Alternatively, there is a veritable feast of online experiences you could gift your mom, particularly if you’re not able to see her in person on the day. Staying in a culinary mood, there are a myriad online cooking courses offered by the Yuppiechef Cooking School. A “Lifetime Bundle'' gives access to all courses offered, or drill it down to specialty experiences from indulgent chocolate-making to French classics or mastering meat. But it’s not just about cooking; online events booking portal Quicket is offering a host of online courses and events, from meditation classes and yoga to quiz nights and concerts.
Create a home office
Many of our usually office-bound moms are now working from home during lockdown, while others are looking to set up new home businesses. Luckily, computers are now considered essential items as of 1 May when Level 4 began. However, these can be pricey items to buy outright and can become outdated fairly quickly as technology advances. Take time to find the right product fit and compare prices across different ecommerce sites.
A movie night
If watching your favorite classic movies is yours and your mom's thing, you can still do that this Mother's Day. Using Zoom's screen sharing if you’re apart, set up a movie both of you can watch. And to really stay on theme, watch some great ones like Freaky Friday and Mamma Mia – these movies celebrate motherhood in different ways. If you want, you can get a smart TV that offers connected viewing and great streaming pleasure.
Send a bunch of her favourite things
Many shops right now are offering deliveries, from restaurants that can deliver takeaway meals directly or via UberEats to flower deliveries via Netflorist and of course many nation-wide grocery stores. Order a bundle for delivery of your mom’s favourite foods or other goods, particularly ones that she would normally never buy for herself, and have them delivered in time for Mother’s Day.
Give on mom’s behalf
Another gift mom will really appreciate, is having you donate the amount that you may have spent on taking her out for the day to one of her favourite charities instead. If she’s an animal lover, consider donating to the SPCA or one of the many township-based animal welfare societies that are really struggling at the moment, or a local feeding scheme that’s making a world of difference in the area where your mom lives.
