Left it to the lastminute?

lastminute lovely Nicole lends a helping hand with gift ideas to put a smile on Mum’s dial this Mother’s Day.

With Mother’s Day on Sunday May 13 fast approaching, here’s a timely tip: when Mum says she doesn’t want a fuss, she doesn’t really mean it.
If you’ve left your present buying run to the last minute, there’s no need to stress. We’ve compiled our top pressie ideas, designed to have you earning big brownie points with minimum fuss (and without having to hit the shops – bonus!).
Tip number one – get your thinking cap on: Figure out what your Mum loves and then think outside the box. If she’s a chocoholic, don’t buy her another Cadbury Milk Tray, send her on a chocolate tour. If she loves cooking, don’t buy her a cookbook, lock her in for a gourmet cooking class.
Tip number two – she deserves to be spoiled: The best presents are always those things we wouldn’t usually buy for ourselves. That’s why experiences and hotel stays always go down a treat (and always pay back well in free dinners and the occasional washing and ironing run).
Tip number three – don’t even go *there*: Here is my list of gifts to avoid at all costs (be prepared to be disowned if you go down any of these paths):

• Foot spa – No this is not the sort of relaxation she’s after.
• Chocolates re-gifted from Christmas/Easter – Don’t think she won’t know.
• Bath bombs and body lotions – Nothing says ‘I had no idea what to get you’ like toiletries.
• Kitchen appliances – Toaster, kettle, blender… a woman’s place is not in the kitchen so don’t give the impression it is!
• Dressing gowns, PJ’s and slippers – Even celebs don’t have as many as Mum has probably collected over the years.

And now for the good stuff, find the perfect gift for your Mum below:
 

Luxury loving Mum

If you really want to impress Mum, book her a stay at a Secret Hotel. Who doesn’t love a lush getaway, especially when it’s received as a gift? A CBD stay is the perfect excuse to indulge in some retail therapy or see a show. And with savings of up to 70% of the normal price, you (and your bank account) will be smiling too.
 

Chocolate loving Mum

Forget the cliché box of Ferrero’s and give Mum a sweet activity she’ll really savour. If she’s a Sydneysider, this three-hour chocolate walking tour has it all: hot chocolate, chocolate cake and of course, plenty of chocolate sampling. Or Brisbane Mum’s might enjoy this three-hour hands on cooking class which will have Mum whipping up chocolate and raspberry brownies and more.
Melbourne Ma’s don’t miss out on the choccy action: why no indulge her with a four-hour hands-on chocolate making class. If you’re lucky she might just choose to take you along as her plus one.
For more sweet indulgence ideas, click here.
 

Fitness freak Mum

For the exercise-loving Mum (or perhaps the Mum in need of a little zen time), yoga is where it’s at. This five-class yoga pass suits beginners as well as hardcore yoga devotees. The two-for-one deal means Mum can take along her bestie or you can join her for some extra bonding time. Locations across Australia.
 

Pampered Mum

Whether you’re buying for a Mum with a newborn or one with kids have long since left the nest, you can’t go wrong with a dose of pampering.
A facial or hot stone massage is the perfect choice…melt away all that stress and tension. Bliss!
 

Thirsty Mum

If she fancies herself as a bit of a wine connoisseur, Mum will love a wine tasting evening event. Have her sampling Australia’s best wine regions without even leaving Sydney with this session in The Rocks or send her on a full day wine tour with two course lunch at Mount Tamborine or indulge her with a wine tour in the Yarra Valley.
Check all our wine ideas here.
 

It’s never too late to purchase the perfect gift

If on Mother’s Day morning you still haven’t come up with the goods or if your Mum is particularly hard to buy for, you can log onto lastminute.com.au and purchase and print an experiences gift voucher. From facials to circus workshops and sailing to sky-diving, there’s something for everyone.