This Mother's Day, step your game up. When macaroni art doesn't work anymore, try these:
1. Spa Day
The go-to option for Mother's Day, a lovely day of spa treatments and pampering for your long-suffering mum is a golden idea. You can choose to join her for the session, or send her off for some much-deserved alone time. Some great options that we know of include:
- The Kingsbury's Senses Spa – apart from their usual offers, they're also offering some lovely couples' packages that you can do with your mum.
- The Nail Anatomy – call in advance and they'll be happy to set up a day or a few hours' package for you to do together
- Spa Ceylon – they're a bit pricey, but Spa Ceylon does some lovely packages, using all their own natural products
2. St Martin's Home/ Social Service
One of the best ways to display your bond or love for each other is to give that back into the world. Think about a cause that's important to your mum, whether it's children, animals, the aged, or the environment. Then plan a day or meal that helps that cause – either via active involvement or even via donation. It's bound to make your mum feel warm and fuzzy that she raised such a good sort. Sites that you can approach include:
- Causes on our very own DEMU page
- Social Service LK
3. Makeover/ Hair Do
Mothers don't usually have a lot of time or energy to just spend frivolously on themselves. Book your mum in for a new cut or colour somewhere fancy. Tell the stylist to take their time and make your mum feel as pretty as she deserves. Fancy pants salons in Colombo include:
4. Experiences
If your mother isn't a real material girl, an experience is a lovely way to celebrate her. Trekurious does a bunch of cool events, everything from mixology classes to pasta making and cultural walks or hikes. Gift your mum an adventure to remember!
Uber Sri Lanka also has a great deal on called UberMOM – you log into your Uber app, slide to "UberMOM", and embark on a superb journey involving watching Mother's Day at Majestic Cinemas, pizza at Harpo's or Bayleaf, as well as free rides up and down. Best part is, all of this is free (and subject to availability, so you'll have to make sure to keep your app open!).
5. Wine
If your mum enjoys a nice tipple every now and then, a good bottle of wine is a chic and thoughtful present to help her unwind. If she's a real afficianado, download the Vivino app for her to help her make some informed decisions. Better still, pair that wine with a meal you cooked yourself. Both these stores are happy to make recommendations and have a good selection too:
6. Moleskine
Whether your mater is a literary sort or a scatterbrain, a beautiful hand-crafted bit of stationery is bound (pun intended) to add something special to her day. She could use the beautifully created notebook to jot down recipes, phone numbers, or even sketch. You can pick one up from Full Stop at Crescat.
7. Breakfast
Breakfast in bed is a rare treat, and it smacks of absolute pampering and affection. Treat your mother to a full-service feast from freshly pressed juice, brewed coffee, and eggs as she likes it to bacon and french toast. Try Food Network or All Recipes for some ideas! Better still, check out our delish video on how to make some decadent pancakes (pictured above). Even if your cooking isn't spectacular, the thought is bound to count here.
8. A set of good books
First gauge what your mum is into – history/ cooking/ the art of war? Does she prefer fantasy and fiction or hard hitting biographies? If reading is too tedious for her, consider getting her an adult colouring book from Chapters. They come in various themes and ranges, from secret gardens to Harry Potter, and are meant to be incredibly therapeutic and conducive to meditation. For other books try
9. Cupcakes/ Cookies
If your lifegiver has a sweet tooth and a penchant for all things decadent and sugary, a lovely box of sweet treats is the ticket here. You'll find no shortage of great spots to pick up cookies, cupcakes, or cakes from, all beautifully designed and packaged. Try any of the big hotel bakeries or else our extensive list of homebakers!
10. Coffee Machine
It's kind of like breakfast in bed….every day. If your mum is a caffeine fiend, consider investing in a high quality coffee machine or a gourmet french press. It's a thoughtful gift she'll wake up to every morning. Takas.lk is your go-to place for original branded electronics at competitive prices.
11. Flowers/ Fresh Fruit
Who doesn't love flowers? A thoughtfully selected bunch of your mother's favourite blooms are bound to put her in a good mood. Get them delivered early in the morning for extra freshness. Also consider adding in a selection of fresh fruit. Sri Lanka's famous for it's lovely fresh produce, so you may as well capitalize on it! We'd recommend:
- Shirohana
- Places on our flowers round up
12. Brunch & Lunch
Colombo's Mother's Day brunches are legendary. Prepare for more variety than you can imagine, teamed with lots of add-ons like bubbly, dessert counters, and activities. Take your mum along for a long and delicious feast to celebrate her, and don't forget to book ahead. May we suggest :
- The Kingsbury has a lot of things on actually, from a Mum dines free dinner spread at Yue Chuan, to voucher meals at all their restaurants (price dependant on whether it's lunch, dinner, or tea). They also have a Mother's Day "Tea Dance" on Sunday, featuring a caviar and oyster brunch and some nostalgia-inducing live tunes.