Lighten Mom’s load on Mothers’ Day
Motherhood is fraught with invisible work, so for moms who have too much on their plate, some of the best gifts they could get on their special day would be those that will actually take some of the load off—be it physical, mental or emotional.
Apple AirTag Hermès bag charm
Pregnancy brain or mom brain is real, with women becoming particularly forgetful, scattered and distracted postpartum. Give her less to keep track of with an Apple AirTag Hermès bag charm which helps locate easily misplaced items using the Find My app, like keys, wallet, TV remote, even a parked car and children. (Available at Hermès in Greenbelt 3, Makati City.)
Nespresso VertuoPlus
Let the caffeine-loving momma enjoy her café-quality drink at home with Nespresso VertuoPlus’ easy-tomake, great-tasting coffee. The compact machine brews quietly, has a precision brewing system that adjusts settings to each capsule and opens automatically for effortless insertion and ejection of capsules. (Available at Nespresso boutiques.)
Starbucks tumbler
Moms on the go need to put all that coffee somewhere, and Starbucks’ Mother’s Day Collection tumblers in pretty prismatic and botanical designs (plus a sky-blue Stanley Quencher) make the perfect brew buddy. It will also remind her to keep hydrated, especially in this summer heat. (Available at Starbucks branches.)
Nitori Office Chair Footrest
Working-from-home mothers who spend much of their time sitting in front of their desks deserve a comfortable chair like Nitori Office Chair Footrest, with its thick seat cushion, footrest and reclining functions, adjustable lumbar support and sleek synthetic leather cover that’s easy to clean. (Available at Nitori in Mitsukoshi BGC.)
Meal plans
Letting someone else worry about planning, preparing and putting healthy food on the table could greatly ease a mother’s daily burden. Weekly meal plans like The Meal or Pickle would ensure that the family gets to have filling and nutritious dishes without all the hassle. There are also vegan options like Greenery Kitchen and Plant-based Kusina. (Book at The Meal via ph.themeal.menu; Pickle Healthy Meal Delivery at tel. 0917-6757255 or @pickleph on Facebook; Greenery Kitchen at tel. 0917-1754574 or @greenery.kitchen on Facebook; Plant-based Kusina at tel. 09398613964 or @plantbasedkusina on Facebook and Instagram.)
Photo session
Moms, especially moms to newborns, don’t often get flattering photos of themselves with their babies and families due to lack of sleep or time and energy to fix themselves up for the camera. There’s also the matter of “overexposure” for breastfeeding moms and the infant acrobatics that happen behind the scenes—which make for hilarious but not exactly for-public-consumption photos. However, it’s always worth taking the time to get moms to doll up and pose for a short photo session to make her feel human, pretty and appreciated. Happy Folks Studio is holding a special Mother’s Day photoshoot on May 18 to capture the joys of motherhood. (Visit happyfolksstudio.com.)
Mommy bag
For the loud and proud mommy, Rustan’s still has a few pieces left—as of this writing—of Childhome Mommy Bag. The quirky weekender features an original Belgian design that is easy to clean and water-repellent. The various compartments, special zippers and elastic bands make it a perfect fit for moms of all stages. The roomy tote also comes with a cooling pouch, shoulder strap and nursery mat. (Available at rustans.com.)
Ikea space savers
Cleaning up and organizing the accumulation of clutter as the family grows is one of the Sisyphean tasks that often befall mothers, which is why visiting an Ikea always feels like going to a candy store. The amount and variety of organizing items is drool-worthy, but you can’t go wrong with some beautifully minimalist stackable boxes. The Kuggis box with lid comes in a variety of sizes and neutral colors that blends in with any décor. The black variety has a translucent body that lets you see what’s inside at a glance. While you’re at it, go ahead and book that planning appointment for your mother to help her finally get the house (or at least her closet) organized and let her breathe. (Available at Ikea Philippines in Pasay City and ikea.com.)
Muji nebulizer aroma diffuser
Studies have shown that scents play a role in helping improve mental health. The strains of motherhood can do a number on a woman’s brain balance, leading to anxiety or even depression. And while not exactly a cure, surrounding her with a pleasant, calming aroma could help her regain some semblance of equilibrium. Plus, it never hurts to have the home smelling pretty. (Available at Muji branches.)
Uniqlo maternity smart ankle pants
Carrying a human inside the body can be hard on the wardrobe during and even after pregnancy. Uniqlo’s Maternity Smart Ankle Pants are designed to be comfy and chic for those rocking a baby belly but who still need to show up for events or meetings. The tapered trousers are stretchy and adjustable, using breathable Airism fabric for the waist. (Available at Uniqlo branches.)
Uptown Tempur Cinema
Sometimes, moms just need a couple of hours of uninterrupted relaxation and entertainment, and watching a screening of her most-awaited movie while lying on a Tempur mattress and covered in Tempur sheets might just be the thing. Each bed can fit two and there are more than enough beds for the whole family. But if the queen of the home needs her alone time, whisk the rest of the fam away to enjoy other activities nearby and give her just that. (Uptown Tempur Cinema is at Uptown Mall in Taguig City; book tickets at megaworldcinemas.com.)
Bladeless neck fan
Help relieve busy moms’ discomfort from the punishing heat with a bladeless neck fan that soothes, refreshes and closely follows them around while freeing up her hands to do more important work. (Available at smstationery.com.ph.)
Pause Yoga and Art Space workshop
Yoga can be a helpful tool during parenthood, starting from even before the baby comes out. It provides many benefits for mothers, including improving strength, flexibility and focus as well as boosting the mood and lessening back pain. Enroll your moms in Pause Yoga and Art Space’s Adhika Workshop this month for a three-day Ashtanga Intensive class on May 12, May 18 and May 25.
