By Lauren Heskin
04th Dec 2019
04th Dec 2019
Spoil yours this Christmas with these gifts for mums, courtesy of our own mums…
“All I want for Christmas is everyone home, happy and healthy.”
Our mums are the best but when it comes to telling you what they’d like for Christmas, they all tend to use the same dodging answer. You want to get something they’ll be thrilled with, but without any lead on what they want, it’s always one of the trickiest Christmas gifts to nail.
We decided to ask our mums what they wanted for the Christmas and, following the above answer, we pushed for specific in the name of journalism (and because, we too, are desperately stuck for ideas).
They eventually relented and below are their answers to the gifts they like and the best gifts they have received.
Books – Lauren
My mum is a talented gardener and spends her summers happily pottering around the garden. However, as the green-fingered are aware, winter is quite the lull when the garden is in slumber and there’s nothing left to do but disinfect tools and scroll Sarah Raven’s website for seeds. My mum has requested a little pick-me-up in the form of Jimi Blake’s new book A Beautiful Obsession on his Huntingbrook Garden in Wicklow. It’s a tome of gorgeous photographs that bring the reader on a stroll around the garden, capturing his gorgeous beds and clever colour palettes. My mum has already thumbed through it in the shop (obviously) and says it’ll be great for visual inspiration and planting ideas. A Beautiful Obsession by Jimi Blake, €30, Huntingbrook
Textiles – Marlene
My mom loves knitting while snuggling under a warm throw in front of the TV, next to the crackling fire. While she’d probably knit herself a blanket to cosy up to, I know she would adore the contemporary design and uplifting colours of the supersoft 100% merino lambswool throw, almost as much as I do. Summer Sky throws, €115 each, McNutt of Donegal
Tableware – Megan
My mum has amassed a range of Nicholas Mosse pieces over the years, from bowls to jugs and even a teapot. However, her mugs have gradually reduced in number as they get used every day and fall foul to the inevitable chips and accidents going in and out of the dishwasher. She’s asked for a farmyard mug to help replenish her collection, so I’ve picked out the cute cow design. I’m planning to get her a wildflower one too, to match her teapot. Large Cow mug, €29.70, Nicholas Mosse
Scent – Amanda
Perfume, candles and diffusers are always a winner with my mother, who is currently hint-dropping her way around Powerscourt’s Garden Pavilion in Enniskerry. She’s a big Max Benjamin diffuser fan, and while clutching refill reeds insists, “we mothers are not as inclined to buy for ourselves.” French Linen Water Diffuser, €32.95, Max Benjamin
Tech
I got a Google Chromecast for my parents last Christmas and it was easily the most successful parental gift I’ve given in a while (and a relatively cheap one too). We have a Smart TV but my brothers tend to monopolise it and my parents had taken to watching Netflix and Amazon Prime on their tablets with the other not-smart HD TV sitting mostly unused.
Google Chrome is ridiculously easy to use, you just set it up once and there’s no faffing with Bluetooth connections every time. So long as you’re on the same WiFi as your phone or tablet all you need to do is open any video or TV app and click the casting button and it comes up on the TV. Now they watch TV together and have in fact been the ones telling me about some excellent foreign-language shows on Netflix. It also makes them feel snugly tech-savvy, bless them. Google Chromecast, €29, Google Store
Feature image: Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash
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