Unique Christmas gifts for Mum

9 favourite child-worthy ideas

Of all the people to buy for, you’d think Mum would be easy. But with Mother's Day, birthdays and Christmas each year, the older you get the harder it is to think of something original. 

To make life easier we’ve pulled together a few unique ideas to suit every kind of mum. You’re especially in luck if she happens to be doing Dry Jan, prefers experiences over products or has a sweet tooth.

Creating long-lasting memories is like an investment for your relationship,  they’re the things you’ll speak about for years to come. Plus, you get something fun out of it too.

What we love about Virgin Experience Days is that there’s so many types of activity to choose from. You can go all out with a luxurious staycation, a fancy meal at a five-star restaurant or a trip to the theatre. Or keep it fun with a cookery class, flying lessons or – for the brave – a chance to swim with sharks.

If your mum never has the time to put herself first, she’ll love the gifts from Healf. It’s the hub for all things wellbeing, stocked with some of the best brands to keep her feeling her best. You’ll find everything from supplements to skincare, yoga must-haves and comfy neck pillows to the more obscure products like shower water filters.

If she’s a fan of facials, go all out and bring professional skincare technology home with the HigherDOSE Red Light Face Mask. Red light therapy is hailed for supporting collagen production, boosting the skin renewal process and reducing redness. 

If she's into cooking, you can safely assume she's already got a knife set to be proud of. But did you know good knives need professional sharpening every one-to-two years? It's one of those chores that can easily fall off the to-do list, so sorting it for her will make a thoughtful gift.

London-based Kitchen Provisions offer sharpening by post for just £46 for three knives, as well as vouchers for in-person tuition. They teach the basics of sharpening with a whetstone, with a discount on any tools she might be inspired to buy afterwards. Intrigued? There are group options too if you want to tag along.

If your mum is a real chocolate lover, we’re sure she’ll appreciate this brand in particular. Islands Chocolate is the go-to for Michelin-starred chefs including Tom Kerridge and Phil Howard, as well as baristas like Black Sheep Coffee. 

Their ethically-produced chocolate starts with beans grown in their own farms in St Vincent and partner farms in the Dominican Republic. It’s perfect for the conscious consumer.

You could go one step further and use the chocolate to bake her something special from their recipe handbook, and of course mention that it’s Michelin star-worthy.

If Mum’s planning to ditch the drink in the New Year, or she teetotal, show her she doesn’t have to miss out. Wednesday’s Domaine is a non-alcoholic wine brand that caught our eye with its funky branding and deliciously-sounding red and white options.

Using de-alcoholised Airen Blanco and Tempranillo wine, Mum can still enjoy the flavours, just without the added tipsiness and a ‘how long do hangovers last?’ headache. Most of the fun of drinking comes from popping the bottle and pouring it into a fancy-looking glass anyway.

Also, here’s a fun fact. While there’s still a trace of alcohol in Wednesday’s Domaine, there’s no more than would be found in a ripe banana or a glass of orange juice.

Wednesday’s Domaine Twin Pack, from £25.99

When life gets stressful, our sleep suffers. And without good sleep, it’s easy to feel more stressed and the cycle continues. So if Mum struggles with drifting off once her head hits the pillow, there’s probably no better gift she’d rather unwrap than the ticket for a good old rest.

Aeyla is a brand we love for breaking the stress-sleep cycle. Get Mum to take this quiz to help you both understand the best remedy. Or shop the selection yourself – they have everything from weighted blankets to help hot sleepers keep cool, quality pillows to deal with neck pain and sprays and candles to encourage a sleepy setting.

Whether your mum has just blessed you with a baby brother or sister, or your friend is soon to become a parent, give them the thoughtful gift of relaxation. With all the changes they’re going through, a slice of calm will be truly appreciated.

Take your pick of our range of Urban pregnancy treatments to best suit her needs, from our prenatal massage, full-body postnatal massage or something more indulgent like the pregnancy glow facial. She can then choose which therapist she prefers and what time she’d like, then all that’s left is to wait for self-care to knock on the door. 

Urban pregnancy treatments, from £69

For a stylish gift she’ll be proud to display, heading to the homeware section is always a safe bet. You can’t go wrong with something from Oliver Bonas, with on-trend pieces from cushions to candles, vases to tableware.

Take a look at how Mum likes to decorate, and go from there. Our eyes are on the vase collection, with options to suit all styles. Or why not brighten up the darkness of winter with a new table lamp? Find one in her favourite colour or one that suits her current decor.

If you've got siblings, this is a great group gift. The latest Apple Watch has everything your mum needs to stay on top of her health. With a skin temperature sensor, ovulation cycle tracker, improved compass app for easier navigation around the city and heart rate notifications, it’s a lot more than just a way to track your steps.

It also has a swim-proof casing, automatic crash detection and fitness tracking (from daily runs to long weekend cycles), so she can enjoy her favourite sport with peace of mind.