Struggling to get the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Here’s a list of gifts we don’t want, writes Marchelle Abrahams.
“I don't need a fancy Mother’s Day present. I just want to sleep in and wake up to a clean home.”- Momcode
Amen to that sister! Don’t we all need a little something like that in our lives.
It’s time to talk about Mother’s Day gifts we can do without. And we don’t mean those DIY cards - keep them coming because they come with lots of hugs and kisses.
We’re talking about the kitchen appliances we’ll never use, scented soaps on a rope and shampoos that end up with those manky, rusted tops.
If you’re still undecided about what to get the special woman in your life, we’ve compiled a list of gift fails to avoid at all costs.
Out: Toaster, blender or kettle
We spend more than half our lives in the kitchen preparing food for our families. And no matter how much effort we put into those dishes, there’s always some ungrateful person who is never really happy with supper. We don’t want a reminder of this on a day that is supposed to be a celebration of us.
A kitchen appliance of any kind is a big no-no. Picture: PxHere
In
: SA-born Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen has a bi-annual publication called JAN the JOURNAL. The journal features 50 recipes behind some of his most inventive works of art, served at his Michelin-star restaurant JAN in France. Chances are we probably won’t use half the recipes, but we can drool at the pictures.
Jan the Journal retails for R287.50 at Woolies.
Shop it: www.woolworths.co.za
Out: Ice maker
Why spend hundreds of rands on a kitchen appliance that will be used once or twice? Once the novelty wears off, it will just get packed away and thrown at the back of some unused cupboard.
An ice maker should go onto the “gadgets we will never use” list. Picture: Flickr.com
In:
The Gin Box has a beautifully curated Mothers Day box featuring a new South African gin from Time Anchor Distillery in Joburg, priced at R750.
Shop it: theginbox.co.za/
The Gin Box retails for R750. Picture: Supplied
Out: Deodorant
I can afford to buy my own toiletries. Also, do I smell?
In:
A spa voucher for a massage or even a pedicure would be most welcome. We’re always on our feet, so stiff joints tend to catch up with us sometimes. Just a few suggestions: Arabella Hotel & Spa and Mount Grace Country House and Spa come highly recommended.
A visit to the spa? Yes please! Picture: Supplied
Shop it: www.giftexperiencesouthafrica.co.za/spa-vouchers/
Out: Supermarket gift card
If you’re going to get me a gift card, I don’t want to be spending it on food for you.
In:
Did you say online shopping voucher? If you’re pressed for time and my favourite perfume is sold out, you’ll be forgiven. You can equate the monetary value to R100 for every hour I spent in labour with you.
Shop it: www.loot.co.za
Out: Tickets to a big sporting event
Even if I’m a big sports fan, why would I want to spend Mother’s Day in a stadium packed with thousands of people? It will be loud, smelly and most probably cold.
In:
Give me ownership of the TV remote for the entire day, and throw in a month’s subscription to Netflix.
Shop it: www.netflix.com/za/
Leave me alone for the rest of the day so that I can binge watch my favourite TV series. Picture: Supplied