Mums, it’s that time of year where we should get spoilt rotten, and deservedly so! Unfortunately I can only guess that whichever sadist sets the official dates for 2019 didn’t think about us poor mums, who this year get to endure the clocks going forward (and therefore an hour less in bed!) this Mothers day.
Ladies, you have my sympathy- I feel your pain! Unfortunately we can’t do anything about that but we can (hopefully) help you get a lovely homemade gift from your little ones. If you’re unlikely to get something yourself (due to a decidedly uncrafty partner or kids that can’t bear craft – or simply that neither realise what a hero you are!) then why not take the opportunity to make a little something yourself with the kids and pass it to your own mum or any other significant woman in your life. They’ll love it I promise, and it’s amazing what effect a little bit of thought & kindness can have on another woman’s day.
If you want a laugh, you can hear how Harrogate Mumbler got on when we took 5 kids into the pristine Stray FM studios to do messy mothers day crafts!
So if you’re relying on a partner to sort out Mothers Day for you then now is the time to pass over your phone, tablet or laptop to them and show them about this fabulous article that you’ve just spotted on Harrogate Mumbler…. (hint hint)
Hubby – if you’re reading this – I’ll have one of each!
Painted plant pot
My lovely child minder can take the credit for this one. My daughter came home with one of these for me last month – its taken pride of place on the kitchen windowsill and is just about to flower! From the photos I got – my daughter had great fun making them – from painting the pots to potting the seeds and getting soil EVERYWHERE! Get the paints and glitter out and get creative! A lovely gift that will last for ages!
Rocky Road Cake
Its Mother’s day, so that means you’re allowed to eat chocolate for breakfast right? And what’s better than just chocolate? Chocolate, biscuits AND marshmallows! Rocky road cake is such a crowd pleaser and super easy to make – perfect to get little ones involved in making! This recipe is tried and tested in our house and very much gets the thumbs up!!
Ingredients:
• 200g crushed digestive biscuits
• 135g butter
• 200g chocolate
• 2-3 tblsp golden syrup
• 100g mini marshmallows
All you need to do is line a baking tray with baking paper, then melt the butter and chocolate in a pan and add the rest of the ingredient!!! Place the mixture into the baking tray and leave to set for a few hours in the fridge – simples! You can really go to town here and add all sorts of lovely extras; dried fruit, pieces of honeycomb, popcorn to name but a few.
Homemade lemon body scrub
Another really easy gift, and far nicer than a shop bought one. I love the idea of a nice zesty lemon scrub – but you can adapt this recipe to include mum’s personal favourite. They had some lovely little jars in Poundland last time I was there that would be perfect for this!
Ingredients
• ½ cup Coconut Oil
• ½ cup white Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Extract
• Zest of 1 Lemon
• 5-10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 2-4 drops yellow food coloring
All you need to do is put the coconut oil in the microwave until its melted. Then add the rest of the ingredients, stir until the mixture is well blended and store in an airtight glass jar in the fridge until ready to use.
Raspberry gin and tonic syrup
I don’t think half us mothers could cope with all the joys of motherhood without a nice glass of G and T now and again! So here’s a lovely little recipe we found for raspberry gin and tonic syrup. Ikea do some great little glass jars that would be perfect for this.
Ingredients:
• 800g frozen raspberries
• 150g icing sugar
• Juice of 1 ½ lemons
• 500ml tonic water
• 6-7 tbs gin
Again it’s a really simple method – put the raspberries, icing sugar and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over a low-medium heat and cook until the raspberries have broken down and are well combined. Push the raspberry mixture through a sieve into a bowl using the back of a spoon. Rinse out the pan to get rid of any remaining seeds, then pour the purée back into the pan with the tonic water and juniper berries (discard the seeds). Reduce the purée for 15-20 minutes over a medium-high heat, stirring now and then, until syrupy. Add the gin and stir to combine. Leave to cool before packaging into sterilised jars or bottles.
Home made soap
This is such an easy way to make soap – all you need to do is buy some pre-made blocks of uncoloured, unscented soap – melt it in the microwave – and once its fully melted add whatever you like! Mums favourite scent, some oatmeal, petals, oils, pieces of fruit etc. Once done put them into a mould and voila, you’re done. Easy peasy and far more personal than a shop bought one!
Homemade Cards & pictures always go down really well and these can be made (obviously with an adults help!) from birth. I particularly like the little footprints & handprints!
Note: from my own personal experience- babies footprints are far easier to take and far less messy than hand prints!
Happy Mother’s Day to all our lovely Mumblers!