The holiday season is rolling in. Twinkling lights shine above every touristy street. Giant green wreaths and mistletoe decorate shopping centres. But then that inescapable sense of shopping dread sets in with one particular question: what Christmas presents do I buy for Mum?
She’s the woman who raised you, who has given you so much, no Christmas gift can ever sum up how much you owe her. On top of all that, there’s a good chance she said she “doesn’t even need a gift,” successfully increasing your shopping anxiety.
Maybe she doesn’t need a gift, but you’re getting her one anyway. Let go of all that dread and enjoy the Christmas lights because our list of Christmas presents for Mum will ensure that she’ll love what you get her.
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Spa Experience – For the Mum who works too hard
Perfect child or not, being your parent was hard work. Now it’s time to give your mum the break she deserves and treat her to some downtime to think about nothing but herself.
If she doesn’t mind being whisked away to another country (who would), surprise her with a spa break in a place like Iceland, famous for their geothermal spa. There, she’ll experience the breath-taking beauty of Reykjavik, have access to the Blue Lagoon’s Retreat Spa and receive an in-water massage. These lavish activities will be followed by a dinner at Iceland’s leading restaurant, Fiskmarkaðurinn.
If she’d rather stay local, let her experience signature treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine at Chuan Body + Soul at the Langham Hotel. The experience aims for holistic healing throughout all of the treatments and is sure to leave her feeling relaxed and rejuvenated for the new year.
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Fine Dining Gift Voucher – For the foodie Mum
Is your mum always taking photos of her food and posting it to Facebook? If so, treat her to dinner and a view with panoramic dining for two at The Shard. She’ll be treated to contemporary and flavour-rich dishes all while she enjoys a front-row seat to the beautiful London skyline. It’s something she won’t be able to wait to show off to her friends.
If she’s always up for trying something new take her to the critically acclaimed Indian restaurant, The Cinnamon Club, in Westminster. The six-course tasting menu showcases a fusion of Indian culinary techniques with European influences and can be paired with award-winning wines to complete the grand experience.
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Cookery Course – For the Mum who loves to cook
If she’s the type who’d rather be in control of the cooking, let her sharpen her skills at a cookery course at Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons. The cookery in Oxfordshire offers full-day courses dedicated to hands-on experiences, combined with lunch and afternoon tea at one of Britain’s best restaurants.
Led by one of the most respected chefs in the UK, Head Tutor Mark Peregrine and his team will give Mum an insight look into what goes on in the kitchen of a double Michelin star restaurant. The courses will provide her with the opportunity to immerse herself in the joy of cooking, leaving her with new knowledge, skills, and cooking ambitions for next year’s Christmas dinner.
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Wine Tasting – For the Mum who adores her wine
If getting her a nice bottle of wine is your usual go-to, why not step it up this year by getting her wine to last till the next holiday season? Naked Wines offers memberships that will ensure she is supplied with top-notch wines she can’t find in just any store. The wine club works with small independent winemakers to provide consistently high quality and remarkable brands. As part of her membership, she’ll also receive exclusive invitations to wine tastings.
If she follows the doctor’s order of a glass of red a day, treat her to a luxury red wine tasting experience for two at Wine Cottage in Central London. The wines are sourced from the best châteaux and award-winning vineyards across the world, with each tasting expertly paired with artisan cheeses. Every wine snob’s dream.
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Fashion Museum Tour – For the fashion-forward Mum
Have you seen her reading more Vogue and art magazines than newspapers? If so, let her wander through the vibrant exhibitions of the eye-catching Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey Village. The museum offers consistently changing contemporary displays, so she can choose whatever exhibit speaks to her the most. After she has her fill of art for the day, you can whisk her off for a luxury afternoon tea at Oblix West in the Shard, offering a panoramic view of London’s skyline.
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Royal Gardens Tour – For the Mum with green fingers
If your mum is always pottering around her backyard, she’ll love a garden-themed gift. But a pair of gardening sheers or compost bin doesn’t exactly show how much she means to you.
Give her something to look forward to once the winter blues are over and spring arrives with a private tour of Kew Gardens. On the private tour, she will learn all about the famous plant collection, its history, and the art and science that goes into making the Kew Gardens so extraordinary. To finish off the tour she will be treated to a three-course meal at Michelin starred restaurant The Glasshouse located in The Kew.
For an even more special Christmas gift for Mum, whisk her away on a weekend break to The Cotswolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here she’ll enjoy a guided tour of The Royal Gardens at Highgrove – the private gardens of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. After a Champagne afternoon tea at The Orchard Restaurant, Mum can retire to her lavish boutique hotel room in the heart of the English countryside.
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Handmade love – For the Mum who says she wants nothing
Sometimes “nothing” really means she just wants something from the heart, as simple as a card or a vase of flowers. Take the time to write something thoughtful to your mum or go back to your childhood days and handmake her something.
Mothers loving (poorly) handmade gifts from their kids is something that doesn’t change over time. Better yet, pair whatever you make from the heart with a more extravagant gift to give it that heartfelt and loving touch.