Overview
Mums are the best. Even when they're all "you are old enough to be making your own dentist appointments" and "why have you still not got health insurance?" and "you should stop drinking so much, it'll damage your liver." They still love you unconditionally and listen to you whinge about your responsibilities. Not to mention they gave you life. So why not show Mum some lovin' this Mother's Day? Here is our definitive list of the best ways to win brownie points this Mother's Day, depending on what type of Mum you're #blessed with.
Stressed Mum
Let’s face it. Between your unexplained school day truancies, your fondness for facial piercings, and your still undefined life direction, you are the reason your Mum tends to stress. Why not make up for some of the nail biting you’ve caused over the years by sending Mum along to East Day Spa for a much-deserved Mother's Day special spa treatment. A foot ritual, full-body massage, and reflexology treatment with a side of champagne might not recover all the grey hair you’ve caused her, but it’ll win you brownie points nonetheless.
After her spa day, join Mum for lunch at Gusto, where they're putting on an Italian feast Mother’s Day spread, where she will eat for free, and you can pay for both your meal and for that time you ran away because your Mum didn't understand your adolescent angst.
Active Mum
If you’ve got a Mum that does it all, and makes you feel guilty about your inconsistent track record at the gym, then force yourself out of bed on Sunday morning and onto a bike. Cycle to The Shelter in Ponsonby with Mum in tow (or streets ahead as you hang back dying from exhaustion,) as part of Auckland's Frocks on Bikes, cycling club for the gals. Upon reaching your destination, park up outside and take Mum inside to Blend Store Cafe for their Mother’s Day morning tea. Both you and Mum can grab a cuppa on the house whilst you peruse the cycles for sale/catch your breath.
Classical Mum
For the Mum who appreciates the arts, Singin’ in the Rain opened last week at The Civic, and so far reviews have been unanimously positive. But before you catch the 6pm show, take a trip over to St Heliers Bay in the early arvo, maybe go for a wander along the beach before heading to La Fourchette for high tea at 3pm. It’s not your ordinary afternoon tea, since there are French inspired cocktail matchings alongside the pastries to liven things up a bit. Come dessert time, and cocktail number four, you’ll be singing’ your way to The Civic quite merrily. Maybe take a taxi.
Artsy Mum
Artsy Mum will love Lisa Reihana's in Pursuit of Venus exhibition that opened at the Auckland Art Gallery this week. And so will your wallet , because it is free. Take her along to appreciate the fine arts, learn about the exhibition's French background, and about Reihana's reasons for the reincarnation of Dufour's original work "Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique," - a masterpiece that has been admired for over two centuries. Afterwards you might like to stop in at Scarecrow Cafe on Victoria Street for lunch, where they’re celebrating Mother’s Day by gifting Mum's chocolates and candles. Continue down to Queen Street and treat both Mum and yourself to a Mother’s Day Giapo cone, no doubt they’ll be nearly as impressive as the Venus exhibition.
Far-Away Mum
Just because Mum lives at the other end of the country doesn’t mean she is any less deserving of a little lovin’ on Mother Day. That’s not how she raised you. Flowers After Hours have an extensive selection of Mother’s Day bouquets sure to brighten Mum’s day when the delivery van turns up unannounced. If you’re up for extra credit (or in the dog box since last Christmas thanks to a few too many eggnogs landing you in bed before the ham even made it to the table) then add an extra parcel for good measure. La Fourchette's new limited edition range of macarons are based on French cocktails, perfect for sweetening Mum up.
Fancy Mum
If your Mum is a little bit fancy, or you’re a little hungover and need the morning to recover, send her off for some pampering at Dry and Tea at CityWorks on Sunday morning to get her looking glam for the day’s celebrations. I Love Pop nails moved in last week, so Mum can get a manicure during her blow dry for all over beautification. Pick her up afterwards and head next door, where Vaniye Patisserie is setting up at Odettes. Grab a pastry, and maybe a cuppa from the Storm and India Truck that will be parked in CityWorks for the day too.
Funny Mum
Yes, they’ve been cracking bad jokes since you were in diapers, but Mum’s can appreciate a good laugh too. Take her to Ed Byrne’s Roaring Forties as part of the Comedy Festival. The show has already had rave reviews, with Byrne's self-deprecating humour and deadpan sarcasm shedding light on his own less-than-elegant ageing. But before you take your seats, Ostro is doing a Mother’s Day high tea special, with Josh Emett serving up lamingtons with violet undertones and parmesan and paprika beignets. Get a Cliquot on the side to get you both in the mood for a giggle.
R&R Mum
The Langham is Mother’s Day mecca. Move her in for the day, starting at Chuan Spa with a special Mother’s Day Bliss package, which includes a full foot treatment, a back, neck and shoulder massage and a glass of bubbles to top it all off. Break for high tea in the afternoon at The Langham's Palm Court for a few cakes and croissants, and learn from the on-site tea sommelier about how to match your baking with your brews. Then send her back to the spa for some more R&R. She can relax in the sauna or paddle in the heated pool to her heart’s content. It’s like daycare for Mums.
Hip Mum
Your Mum isn't like other Mums; she's a cool Mom (Mean Girls reference was too tempting to forego). Stolen Girlfriends Club has come up with a pretty rad concept for hip Mums. Send her favourite SGC ring along with a matching bunch of Love. & Mr Lewis flowers and then step right up to claim your 'Offspring of the Year' award.