Mother's Day Gifts - Last Minute!!

Flowers for Everyone (especially Mums)

So with possibly the biggest, quietest and perhaps even loneliest lead-up to Mother's Day of all time, many of us still find ourselves in panic mode at the last minute. We may have had many many many weeks of doing a lot less than normal, but that doesn't mean we're on top of things - or that we're ready for this day, or are even likely to see our own Mums (sob!) or family. 2020 is sure throwing up some challenges! 

The kindness pandemic - as seen on FB and other social media has been so encouraging - hearing and seeing the ways people have stepped up and looked out for others. Small glimpses amongst the bigger scenes of awesome ways our essential workers, government officials and leaders and communities have responded to the challenges before them. Putting other people ahead of themselves. The stories have been inspiring, like sharp rays of hope and light breaking through the sorrow and anxiety that has affected so much and so many. It's made things more bearable. Agreed?

So, if you are without a gift, here's some ideas that might be just what you're looking for: 

Monday Shampoo a NEW range in Supermarket getting rave reviews!

Myer

    

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!  Apparently many of us have turned to food, or to be precise home cooking. This is not surprising when we're stuck at home and comfort is what we're all craving. And sometimes when the world seems crazy, it's the little things that keep us going. Warm soup. Hot chocolate. Crusty bread and jam. Puddings and cakes, pies and sausage rolls. And that's just what we ate yesterday. Whether it's a gourmet cheese, ham and relish toastie, or a full-on roast dinner - if Mum doesn't have to cook, trust me, she'll enjoy it! Maybe you can drop around a picnic basket or tiny hamper of snacks and pop it on your Mum's door step? Ordering them food to be delivered might be the answer if you're far away. 

Maybe, sending a hamper with some essentials in it you know Mum would appreciate is the answer. 'Essentials' cover a lot of things these days, it could be anything from the basics: Toilet Paper, bread, milk, headache tabs, to a fab Magazine, yummy Maple Syrup, Kombucha; homemade soup or a slice... and chocolate. Everyone needs some chocolate. 

Or if food isn't what's needed, then send a card thanking your Mum for all that they're doing for you/others, not just during this time, but maybe over the years. Share some happy memories. Add some old photographs - from the days when we used to print them out. Writing letters is something we wouldn't normally have time for - but now? What's stopping you?     

READING IN THE TIME OF CORONA. Well this is always my trusted and true option - and many people have rediscovered reading in the last couple of months so now is the time to choose something special. There are plenty of great new titles out there that can be found in bookstores or online. Here's a few of my favourite reads from this year that are feel good and uplifting tales to warm the heart and mind: 

Booktopia

Set in post war Germany in a displaced persons camp that I had no idea existed, this story follows a feisty woman who has endured much and for whom life is a daily struggle to survive. Described as an epic story of love, loss and the long shadow of war, it speaks of an unbreakable human spirit and the triumph of love over hate and even death . 

Booktopia

My friends are getting a bit sick of hearing me rave about how many ways I loved this book. It's a heartwarming, uplifting, feel-good tale set during the Blitz of London. It's appearing on lists of books people should read now in this strange time - it has all the elements to provide wonderful pure escapism and entertainment that is not Netflix. The characters are laugh out loud funny and you'll wish they were your best friends. Since no one can actually see their own best friends at the mo, we may as well claim these characters as our own.  There are poignant moments too and you'll cry when this book ends, wishing it could have gone on for about another eight hundred pages, or at least until social isolation is lifted!! 

Ebook - Booktopia

I read this book many years ago, and have read it a few times since. It is possibly out of print, but the e-book is available and might even suit that last-minute gift idea. Romantic and rebellious, this tale will delight you as the entrancing characters deal with their childhood angst and grownup 'issues'! It's a little bit quirky and after being described as 'Pride and Prejudice Scandinavian style' is all that needs to be said really. Go, find it!

And if you want to combine comfort food and books into one STUPENDOUS gift, a new cookbook can provide hours of mouth watering inspiration. Any of these beauties will banish boring meals forever! (Cake's a meal, right?!)

           

Hope you're all doing okay and that Mother's Day might provide you with the chance to show some extra care to someone that you love, or who you know would appreciate the chance to connect in whatever way you can. 

Thinking and praying for the many countries and people suffering around the world, and praying for a new day free of pandemics. God Bless xxxx