Mother’s Day is almost here (it’s this Sunday, May 12th) so get sorted with these fresh ideas to show you care. The thisNZlife team has rounded up our favourite traditions and activities that could last all week. 

Words: Mikaela Wilkes

1. LET HER SLEEP IN AND SERVE BREAKFAST IN BED

Mums are superheroes and multitasking pros. Make this Sunday a mini holiday and start her day right with a couple of extra hours’ rest. Make her morning by serving breakfast in bed. Shake things up from the classic bacon and eggs with one of these breakfast recipes.

♥ If she likes savoury…try our Breakfast Burrito

♥ If she likes sweet… try the Banana Bread Waffles with Whipped Coconut Cream

♥ Try out  a twist on classic pancakes with these Buckwheat Flapjacks

♥ Or… wait until evening and serve up Ruth Pretty’s three-course Mother’s Day feast.

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2. PLAN AN OUTING TO A FARMERS’ MARKET

If your mum enjoys fresh food, fresh air and local treats, organize an outing to your local farmers’ markets. Insider’s Guide to New Zealand editor Cheree Morrison visited Clevedon Farmers’ Market, recently awarded People’s Choice Favourite Farmers’ Market in New Zealand for 2018. She writes:

“New Zealanders have developed a bit of a passion for farmers’ markets. We venture out on a Sunday morning with green eco-bags under the arm, cash in pocket and shopping list in hand (and occasionally the kids or dog in tow, depending who is better behaved). Clevedon is no exception – this is clearly part weekly shop, part social outing and part ‘finding a freshly made treat and a hot coffee’. Helen Dorresteyn of Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company established the Clevedon Farmers’ Market in November 2005, and it’s become a destination for both locals and Sunday road-trippers.”

Open Sunday 8.30am-1pm. Clevedon Showgrounds.

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3. TAKE CARE OF SOME JOBS FOR HER

Give mum a hand and put in the hard yards by doing some chores around the house. Here are our suggestions:

To Do list 

♥ Weekly housework – take a few chores off her hands and she’ll appreciate the gesture. 

 

♥ If mum lives on a farm or lifestyle block, learn the best way to clean out the chicken coop and get to it.

♥ Spend some time in her garden; plant some bulbs – put them in now and they’ll flower in spring.

♥ Take the time to set up her laptop, Netflix account, or other electronic device.

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4. GET OUTDOORS AND VISIT A GARDEN NEARBY

Some of us are lucky enough to have a gorgeous garden on our back doorstep – others need only drive a short distance to see spectacular plantings. South Auckland, one of the regions explored in the 2018 edition of the Insider’s Guide, recommends the Auckland Botanic Gardens:

“Almost a million visitors venture into the Auckland Botanic Gardens every year. That’s a million people with a thousand reasons each for visiting. Some walk the path every night after work, others pack a blanket, picnic basket and a frisbee, and pass the day lounging on the lawn. No matter the intent, there is peace to be found within the 64ha haven.

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5. PLAN A VISIT TO A GARDEN OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

♥ Clachanburn Garden
Where: Central Otago

Visits to Clachanburn Garden are by appointment only – but it’s worth making a date with Mum to visit this spectacular spot. Jane Falconer has spent more than 30 years transforming Clachanburn Station cattle and sheep farm into a Garden of National Significance (the NZ Gardens Trust’s rating).

Jane works from dawn-to-dusk most days maintaining the spectacular 2ha property in the corner of Central Otago’s remotest Maniototo Plains.

♥ Ayrlies
Where: Whitford, Auckland

The property is considered one of the country’s finest and has been named a Garden of International Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. In 2000, the swampy land beneath the garden was transformed into 14ha of wetlands, with a 3.3ha lake that is now home to a variety of wildlife.

The Wetlands, open 7 days with free admission
http://ayrlies.co.nz

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6. BAKE SOMETHING TOGETHER

Pick out one of Mum’s favourite recipes to bake, then get the mixing bowls out and make it for her or, better still, make it together. Here are a few delicious ideas:

16 baking ideas for the weekend
Fejoa cake with crumble topping 
Bake the perfect loaf of sourdough bread
Ruth Pretty’s Apple Crumble Cake

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7. IF YOU CAN’T BE THERE ON THE DAY…

While we would all like to be with Mum on Mother’s Day, it isn’t always possible. If you can’t be there in person, there are a few ways you can still show her you care.

Give her a phone call in the morning to let her know she’s being thought of and have a good catch-up.

Send a card; receiving something in the mail is far more personal than a text message. For bonus points, send a picture frame with a picture of you and your mum together when you were a child, and one of you both as adults.

For the foodie mum: Instead of flowers, send her some award-winning products from our online Farmers’ Market. NZ Life & Leisure and thisNZlife’s involvement in the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards has opened our eyes to the wonderful boutique products New Zealanders are making. Our readers enjoy learning about these hard-working producers and we love backing their efforts. We’re supporting them further with this new online shop of tasty products for delivery to your door.

Or the best gift of all – buy her a subscription to her favourite magazine (with a 21% discount) – it’s a treat she can look forward to every month.

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