A Few Things You Shouldn’t Get Your Mam This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to remind your mam just how much you appreciate and love her, as we probably don’t get to say it as often as we want to.

However, while I was walking around the shops the other day looking for gifts, I was pretty appalled at the options that have somehow become staple Mother’s Day gifts. I saw an empty tissue box, floral patterned of course, in the ‘treat your mum’ section of one shop. Treat her to what? An imaginary cold?

I fear we’re doing this all wrong, so if you’re stuck for ideas, I’d like to give my two cents on what gifts you should avoid if you really want to make your mum feel special. 

1. Cleaning supplies

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A sweeping brush set in the big 2026? Really? I think it’s been about time we leave the notion that cleaning supplies make a good gift for anyone, let alone women. It doesn’t matter how much your mother claims she loves cleaning, or how pretty that floral pattern across the sweeping pan is, I can guarantee you that she doesn’t want it as a gift.

And you might think you’re smart by buying her that expensive hoover that she’s been eyeing for a while, but why don’t we try getting her something that doesn’t involve her doing chores. Let her relax! Get her something that actually relates to a hobby she has! Cleaning is not a hobby!

2. Kitchen utensils or cookbooks

 

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This is very similar to my previous point, but a little more nuanced. Cooking and baking are actually very popular hobbies, so there is of course a chance that your mum will really appreciate the gift and actually enjoy using it. But just because she makes your dinner every evening doesn’t mean she wants another set of wooden spoons or a non-stick frying pan.

Get more creative. If she does enjoy cheffing it up, why not book a cooking class for her, or make her a handwritten recipe book of all your favourite meals she made you when you were young? 

3. A gift card

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If there’s a particular shop that your mum would genuinely live in if she could, then go ahead, get her that gift card. If not, don’t bother. This is one of the laziest gift ideas I can think of for any occasion. It just screams ‘I don’t know anything about your interests or hobbies and I’m not bothered to find out’.

Think about it, how would you like it if you received a Dunnes Stores gift card from someone who you’ve loved and raised from the day they were born? No shade to Dunnes or anything, but come on, put a bit more effort in. 

4. Towels

 

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This is a weirdly popular one. I just don’t get it. It’s so bland. Where’s the fun in unwrapping a present and finding…a set of towels? Do these people hate their parents or something?

If you really believe with all your heart that your mum will be delighted with a set of towels, then make sure you splurge on them. High quality, personalised, from her favourite designer. Even then, you’re really pushing your luck. 

5, Hygiene gift sets

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It’s only March, so I know for a fact that most of us still haven’t made it through all the gift sets we got for Christmas. So why are we adding onto her pile? Again, maybe there’s a specific brand you know your mum loves, and maybe it’s a little too pricey for her to buy it for herself very often.

If that’s the case, it makes for a very thoughtful and useful gift. However, if you’re wandering aimlessly down the aisles of a pharmacy and pick up the first body wash, body lotion, loofah set you see, yeah, do better. 

Those were the main five that I really think we should just leave behind, and I’m sorry if I touched a nerve with any of them because I know how many of us use them as a first resort for this occasion. But we need to show our mothers that we know them, we see them, and we appreciate everything they’ve done for us.

Women, mothers and all the effort they put into raising us often goes unacknowledged, so when you’re given one opportunity in the whole year to really go all out and say thank you, then give her something that shows her you care. This isn’t a question of money, it’s all about effort and thought.

You don’t need a bouquet worth a hundred euros delivered to her door. Find her favourite flowers at the supermarket and add your own touch to them. Plan a movie night with her, full of snacks and her favourite films. Put together a photo album packed with baby photos, pics from your favourite holidays together, accomplishments she achieved outside of raising you.

These gifts, that celebrate her as both an individual and a mother, will really stick with her. That being said, if you do have the money, then feel free to treat her to a fancy dinner or book her in for a spa session. I doubt she’ll say no to that either!