What the FJ team is buying for their mums this Mother’s Day

Gift ideas for the hardest people to buy for.

Gift buying is a bit of an art. If you’re like me and gift-giving is your love language, you probably spend a lot of time (far too long) mulling over what you’re going to buy your nearest and dearest. There really isn’t anything quite like absolutely nailing a present, but some people are particularly hard to buy for. At the absolute top of this category are mums – or whoever plays a mother-like role in your life – primarily because they almost always insist they “Don’t need anything at all, love!”.

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But we all know that they really do deserve something especially lovely, and Mother’s Day is a chance to treat them to that item they secretly want but would never dare tell you they do. If you’re stuck for ideas, the Fashion Journal editorial team have shared what they’ll be gifting their mums this Mother’s Day.

Lush perfume consultation

Recommended by: Georgina, Fashion Journal’s Partnerships and Campaign Executive

My love language is quality time, so naturally, when it comes to gift giving, I’m such a big fan of experiential gifts for any occasion. My mum and I both love fragrance, so this year I’m taking her to a Lush store for a fragrance consultation. Lush offers this as a complimentary service in-store so that you can discover multiple fragrances and choose one that perfectly matches your taste before making a decision.

I’ve always found fragrance to be a really special gift because of the way it’s linked to memory and emotion and I love this gift idea because I know that whenever we spray the fragrance that we end up choosing we’ll be reminded of this time spent together.

Get it here.

Solar Top by Pave

 

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Recommended by: Giulia, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor

I love everything that Pave releases, and knowing how Mum dresses, she will too. I’m eyeing off the Solar Top for Mum. At $163, it sits at a higher price point but luckily I have three other siblings to split it with. I can already see how much wear she (and I) will get out of this piece.

It’s work-appropriate but almost too nice for work, with a wide but subtle boat neck and crafted from superfine merino wool. I hate describing clothing as ‘elegant’ (a symptom of working in fashion), but I’m struggling to find a word that so perfectly describes this piece.

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Two Tone Teapot from Fazeek

Recommended by: Elly, Fashion Journal intern

My mum is particularly hard to buy for not only because her birthday falls one week after Mother’s Day but because her response whenever I ask her what she wants is always “You don’t need to get me anything”. I love the act and thought that goes into buying presents for my loved ones so this is not an option for me!

My mum’s teapot just broke and she can’t go one night without her favourite loose-leaf licorice tea so this year I’ll be getting her a Fazeek pink and amber Two Tone Teapot. It’s made from high-quality borosilicate glass and is handmade in Melbourne – it’s the perfect addition to her kitchen.

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Vintage sunglasses from eBay

Recommended by: Izzy, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor

Like a lot of mums, mine is notoriously difficult to buy for. For months before a gifting occasion, I have to carefully listen for hints. Recently, she and my dad went to Italy because they are truly living the empty-nest dream, and she mentioned not being able to find sunglasses she liked.

She always appreciates a pre-loved find, and I found a pair of Gucci tortoiseshell frames on eBay that are very much her style (you can see a similar pair here). We also often share a wardrobe – or at least I share hers – so I’ll be able to wear these too. Win-win.

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Nonna’s Grocer Tomato Famiglia Candle Set

 

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Recommended by: Cait, Fashion Journal’s Editor

My mum never really wants gifts on Mother’s Day but this year I felt like sending her a little something. She lives in New Zealand and I’m based in Melbourne, so we only get to see each other a few times a year and want her to know I’m thinking about her. She’s very much someone who likes functional gifts, so this tomato candle set from Nonna’s Grocer feels right up her alley – it has both a practical and aesthetic use, and she’s an avid gardener who loves bringing the outdoors inside.

Get it here.

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

Recommended by: Molly, Fashion Journal‘s Advertising and Partnerships Manager

My mum, like so many mums, just wants “To know I’m happy” for Mother’s Day, and nothing makes me happier than a twisty thriller book. Luckily, this is something my mum and I have in common. Living in different states, when we see each other a book swap is always the second thing we do after a hug. I gave her Verity by Collen Hoover last year and she inhaled it so this year I’m going to give her None of This is True by Lisa Jewell which I recently read. Nothing says I love you like a jump scare.

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The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

Recommended by: Julia, Fashion Journal intern

I’m a big reader, and so is my partner’s mum. I know she loves a romance (she’s recently binged all of Bridgerton), but I want to get her something that will push her a little outside of her literary comfort zone.

I’m planning on picking her up a copy of The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue, which is a romance of a different kind: romance in the form of lifelong friendship. I also just love gifting books. It feels so personal, and it’s almost like gifting an experience – the experience of being swallowed up by a story. I’ll also take any excuse to spend time at Readings, where you can pick up The Rachel Incident for $32.99.

Get it here.

For more Mother’s Day gift ideas, head here.