4 Thoughtful Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day
                           

 
A parent, a teacher, and even a shoulder to cry on. It’s remarkable how a single person can fulfil numerous roles in your life. 
 
We don't need to tell you why you should celebrate Mum, but we can help you make the day a little more special for her. And no, we're not just talking about store-bought gifts, although a thoughtful present or booking her a massage at her favourite spa is never a bad idea. 
 
We're referring to the gift of your time — such as making her a fresh flower petal perfume that smells almost as sweet as she is, or getting Mum's special day started off right by serving her breakfast in bed. Either way, with Mother’s Day just around the corner, here are four ways to honour the most important woman in your life, and to help you make this day one that she won't soon forget.
 

Treat your mum to a delicious homemade cake
 

Get in the kitchen and whip up this scrumptious treat for Mother's Day.
 
While there are tons of Mother's Day gifts to choose from every year, there's one present that will make her heart and tummy very happy — a delectable homemade chocolate cake. Whether you're a seasoned baker or not, we've got you covered.
 
Indulge your mum’s sweet tooth with the chocolatiest of chocolate sponge cakes. It is super easy to bake and is covered with a rich, dark chocolate ganache. 
 
Ingredients:
 
For the cake:
  • 50g of cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons of boiling water
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons of milk
  • 175g of self-raising flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 100g of butter
  • 300g of natural caster sugar
 
For the chocolate filling:
  • 150g of dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
  • 150ml of whipped cream
Directions:

  • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
  • Grease and line two 20cm/8in sandwich tins with baking parchment.
  • Put the cocoa powder and boiling water into a large bowl and mix well to make a paste. Add the remaining ingredients and beat again until combined. This can also be done in a food processor, but take care not to over whisk. 
  • Divide the cake mixture between the prepared tins. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until well risen and shrinking away from the sides of the tin.
  • Meanwhile, for the filling, measure the chocolate and cream together in a bowl and stand the bowl over a pan of simmering water for about 10 minutes, or until melted. Stir from time to time. Set aside and leave until cool.
  • Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before turning out the tins onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Before placing the cakes on top of one another, spread half of the chocolate filling between them. Spread the other half on the top and edges. 
  • Slice into wedges and serve!
 

Surprise her with breakfast in bed
 

What could be more pampering than enjoying a delicious breakfast in a bed of soft sheets?
 
We’re firm believers in the old adage: actions speak louder than words. Whether your mum is always cooking everyone else's breakfast, or is out the door before everyone else, serving her a healthy and freshly made breakfast is a lovely gesture, and a great way to start her special day. 
 
So, spoil her silly by serving a full and indulgent breakfast in bed. Here are a few tips to help you plan better.
 
Do what you can ahead of time: You don't want to start cooking and find out you're out of ingredients mid-way through preparations. Get your grocery shopping done early, and make what you can in advance.
 
Keep it simple: Prepare hot dishes you can keep warm in a low oven, like French toast, and one that will cook quickly, like an omelette. Fill out the rest of your tray with room-temperature or cold foods that are easy to assemble, like a yogurt parfait with fruit. For a list of simple but delicious breakfast recipes, read “10 Tantalising Breakfasts to Start Your Day”.
 
Plate like a pro: A well-constructed tray is the easiest way to make breakfast in bed feel like even more of a treat. Start with a set of matching utensils, wide-bottomed glasses and bowls, as well as plates that are large enough to catch crumbs. Consider adding on a few well-chosen flourishes, like a nice cloth napkin, a single flower in a water glass, and little spoons or knives for jams and butter.
 

Surprise her with a lovely personalised gift
 

You know she’ll love anything you give her, so why not mix it up with a DIY Mother’s Day gift set?
 
If you’re new to the DIY game, there's no need to stress. These ideas simply require a quick trip to the shopping mall if you don’t have all the materials, and a little bit of creativity. Some are even easy enough that you can get a younger sibling involved. Just believe in your crafting abilities and tap into your creative side. So get ready to put together a personalised gift box with these four items made with love. 
 
1. DIY bath salts: After a long, busy day, there's nothing better than a hot bath enriched with fragrant bath salts.
 
Materials:

  • 2 cups of epsom salts
  • 1/2 cup of sea salt
  • 1/2 cup of baking soda
  • 15 drops of lavender and orange essential oils
  • 6 mini mason jars or other glass jars
  • Twine
     
Directions:

  • Mix all the ingredients in a large glass bowl using clean hands or a clean spatula. 
  • Use a spoon to evenly distribute the essential oils into the salts, while breaking up any clumps.
  • You can buy glass jars or use ones that you have at home for packaging your bath salts — just make sure your jar or container has a lid to keep your bath salts dry.
  • Wrap some twine around the jar to dress it up a little.

2. Fresh flower petal perfume:
Making your own perfume from scratch might sound complicated, but it’s actually a lot simpler than you think.
 
Materials: 

  • 1 1/2 cups chopped flowers
  • 2 cups of distilled water
  • A bowl with a lid
  • A saucepan
  • A cheesecloth 
  • A small decorative bottle 
     
Directions:

  • Pick the petals from the flower you wish to make perfume from. Great options are roses and honeysuckle.
  • Put cheesecloth inside an empty bowl, with the edges hanging out, and place your petals on top of the cloth.
  • Pour a small amount of water on top of your petals to cover them. Ensure the edges of the cheesecloth are still hanging out of the bowl and cover the bowl with a lid.
  • Leave the petals to soak overnight.
  • The next day, remove the lid and gently bring the four corners of the cheesecloth together, lifting the pouch out of the bowl with the petals and water still inside the pouch.
  • Squeeze the cheesecloth gently over a small saucepan extracting the flower-scented water.
  • Simmer the water over a low heat until you have around 1 tablespoon of liquid.
  • Allow the liquid to cool then bottle up your perfume in the small decorative bottle. The perfume made from petals generally lasts about a month if stored in a cool and dark place.

3. A candle:
Classically beautiful and satisfying to make, create a cosy atmosphere for your mum to enjoy at home with the soft glow of a handmade candle.
 
Materials:

  • A mason jar
  • A packet of wax for candle making (the best types to use are soy or beeswax)
  • A few pieces of candle wicks
  • Superglue
  • Essential oils (optional)
  • A pair of chopsticks
 
Directions:

  • Measure out how much wax you would need to fill your container, then double it. That’s how much wax you will need to melt.
  • Set up a pot over a heat source. Pour the wax into your pot and allow it to melt for 10-15 minutes.
  • When your candle wax is melted, add the essential oils. Simply pour it into your melted wax and stir for a few seconds. While this step is optional, we definitely recommend it for a lovely scent.
  • Attach the wick to the bottom of your mason jar with superglue before pouring in the melted wax. 
  • To prevent your wick from swaying in the melted wax, secure it in place by laying two chopsticks across the top of the mason jar. Sandwich the wick in between so that it stays centred while the wax hardens.
  • Then, slowly pour the wax into your mason jar. Hold the wick in place, but don’t pull on it.
  • Allow the wax to set for 4 hours at room temperature, then trim the wick down to size.

4. Prepare your personalised gift box:
Now that you have prepared the gifts, put the same amount of effort into presenting them in a thoughtfully put together gift box.
 
Materials:

  • A cardboard box with a lid
  • Coloured craft tissue paper
  • A matching coloured ribbon for a beautiful touch
  • A gift tag with a personalised note

Directions:

  • Start with folding a piece of tissue paper the same width as the box and placing it in the box with the tissue paper laying over the sides.
  • This piece of tissue should be long enough to fold over itself on the top. If the box is very wide, use two pieces of tissue.
  • To make a cushion on the bottom of the box, take two pieces of tissue and lightly crumple them so it fits on the bottom of the box.
  • Place your homemade bath salts, perfume and candle on top of the tissue cushion.
  • Fold the 2 sides of the tissue paper in neatly. If the sides are too long you can cut them down or fold them under for a polished finish. 
  • Cover the gift box with the lid, tie the ribbon over and add your personalised gift tag!


Spend a day together outdoors
 

Take your mum out of the house and drop in to some of the prettiest spots in the city.
 
If your mum's a busy lady with a to-do list a mile long, a Mother's Day nature trip can help ease any stress she may be feeling. In fact, research suggests that being in nature can mitigate the negative effects of stress. Help Mum get back in touch with nature by spending some time in the great outdoors.
 
Plan a family picnic: If she loves scenic spots, consider planning a picnic with her in a beautiful nature destination like the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This is a perfect way to be together outdoors, treat her to a nice meal and catch up at the same time. Consider plonking your picnic mat down at Palm Valley, which you’ll find by the Nassim entrance. Lined with over 200 species of palm trees in assorted sizes, the gentle slope of the Palm Valley seems made for laying out a picnic mat and taking a break to enjoy the beauty of nature.
 
Explore the natural world: If your mum enjoys watching nature documentaries, take her out to experience the real thing with guided or self-guided tours at Gardens by the Bay, where you can immerse yourselves in the fascinating world of plants. There’s also the Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom located in Singapore's Sentosa Island, which showcases a stunning variety of beautiful butterflies and interesting insects. Both of these popular leisure destinations are not only filled with breathtaking photo-ops, but also meaningful opportunities for you and your mum to learn about flora and fauna amidst lush greenery. 
 
Go on a walking trail: If your mum happens to be a history buff or an avid photographer, then the sight of Bukit Batok Nature Park’s quarry is as compelling as it gets. The granite rock formation is an extraordinary sight to behold, and something you wouldn’t expect to stumble upon on our Little Red Dot. The glistening lake set amidst sprawling woods also offers a charming respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.
 
The best Mother's Day gift you can give to your mum is your time — it's one of those clichés that's actually true. Whether you indulge your mum with a decadent chocolate cake, surprise her with breakfast in bed, make her a personalised gift box, or spend an eye-opening day outdoors, one of these suggestions on our list will surely create memories that she'll talk about for years to come.
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