BEAUTY & FASHION

The Perfect Guide for the Gifts She Actually Wants this Mother’s Day

The best gifts aren’t about what the matriarch in your life does for everyone else; they’re about who she is when no one’s asking anything of her. The point isn’t extravagance; it’s alignment.

Mother’s Day has quietly outgrown its narrow brief. It’s no longer solely about a biological connection, nor is it a stage for tired gestures that feel more obligatory than inspired. It’s about recognising the women (and mother figures) who show up and shape us, with tokens of appreciation that reflect what they like, how they spend their time, and the choices that are entirely theirs.

And if you happen to be that person yourself? Even better.

This is your permission slip to bypass the predictable and choose something that feels most like you. No domestic clichés, no duty-bound stand-ins, just a considered edit of gifts that reflect taste, autonomy, and a life lived well beyond expectation.

For the thoughtful curator

The Crazy Store Hamper Service

Convenience rarely feels chic… until it does. The Crazy Store’s new hamper service reframes the last-minute scramble into something far more intentional.

This offering allows customers to personally select their own items, whether all from The Crazy Store or paired with items from elsewhere, which The Crazy Store then assembles into a neatly wrapped, genuinely thoughtful gift. It’s a simple way to create a meaningful, personalised gift without the stress of finding the perfect pairing.

“We appreciate our moms for the little things; the early morning coffees, the perfectly timed advice, and the way they keep our memories safe. Our goal is to bottle that warmth and make it accessible. At The Crazy Store, affordability doesn’t mean compromising on sentiment or quality,” explains Crazy Store Marketing Director, Ashleigh Lambert.

Ideal for the mother who appreciates the gesture, but values the edit even more.

To consider for your hamper:

Wine glass with print, R39.99

Glass vase with handles, R69.99

Notebook with heart lock, R99.99

For the mom who collects timeless pieces

Ted Baker AW ’26 edit

A good bag is about both utility and intent, but the same could be said for what a busy mom wears off-duty. Ted Baker’s latest edit leans into that duality: pieces that move seamlessly between seen and unseen moments. Think structured handbags that transition from midweek appointments to weekend wind-downs, jewellery that lands somewhere between statement and staple, and fragrances that linger long enough to be remembered.

ALSO READ: 9 Autumn-Ready Fragrances with Serious Staying Power

Ready-to-wear items follow suit: from floral cardigans to silk-satin sleepwear sets, this is gifting that acknowledges her affinity for classic styles over fads.

Kasia Gift – 50ml Fragrance and Scented Candle, R799

SUKICON: Crosshatch East West Icon Bag, R1699

SHIMINA: Printed Flower Mini Icon Bag, R1199

SHILVA: Floral Print High Neck Sweater, R2499

SISILLA: Printed Woven Front Cardigan, R2699

ISABELLA: Icon Charm Adjustable Bracelet, R1299

ROLO: Classic Colour Enamel Roll Huggie Earrings, R999

JILLLA: Buckle Detail Leather Gloves (Wine), R1999

Also available in black

DAHLIA: LS Monogram Print Set, R2499

For the mom who prefers her luxury with a point of view

OKAPI Cunard Collection

Price on request

Under creative director Tiaan Nagel, OKAPI’s Cunard Collection takes its cues from Nancy Cunard, via Constantin Brâncuși’s 1932 bronze portrait La Jeune Fille Sophistiquée, and translates that lineage into a series of sculptural handbag forms. The pieces carry through Cunard’s signature — those stacked, architectural jewellery gestures — reworked into clean, considered silhouettes that feel both referential and entirely modern.

There’s substance behind the shape, too. OKAPI’s long-standing commitment to heritage craftsmanship and responsible sourcing remains intact, with each piece produced in collaboration with local artisans and grounded in traceable materials.

ALSO READ: Give Your Kitchen an Affordable Upgrade with HomeChoice

For the homemaker who knows the power of a good set

Every kitchen has a centre of gravity, and this is it. The Pluto set isn’t about collecting pieces over time; it’s about arriving fully equipped from the start. You get the full architecture: a 1.3L saucepan for the small, precise moments, 2.8L, 5L and 7.2L casseroles that work hard from weekday meals to proper, slow-built dishes, and a 28cm square frying pan that handles everything in between.

Full set: R3499 + free 24cm round frying pan, Home Choice

And then there’s the cutlery she doesn’t use every day. The Inna Cutlery Set is simple and polished, with a solid weight that feels good in hand. It comes out when the table is set properly with more plates and more people gathered for a hearty meal that requires a bit more time. Practical, but clearly set aside for occasions that call for a step up.