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As the only daughter and baby of the family, Christmas gifts for mum are kind of my speciality.
I’ve had 20+ years and countless opportunities to perfect my festive gift-giving strategy – but it didn’t come easy.
The challenge? My mum is one of those don't-get-me-anything mums. Selfless, easy-going and unfazed by material possessions, she’s not the type to have a wishlist and never wants to make a fuss. Lucky for her, I know when *not* to listen.
How to find the best daughter-to-mum gifts
In my experience, the first step to finding meaningful daughter-to-mum gifts is to get curious. How does she spend her free time? What makes her laugh and smile? If all of her obligations and appointments were cancelled, where would she go and what would she do there? Does she like to exercise? Drink coffee? Go to art galleries? What does she do for work? Is she a traveller? If so, what kind of holidays does she enjoy? Does she like hosting events, or does she prefer to go out?
Now that you’ve got a well-rounded idea of her likes and dislikes, it’s time to get specific. I'd recommend steering clear of material objects and opting for an experience gift instead. Most mums will readily admit that they already have everything they could possibly want. But there's one thing she'll always want more of: time with her kids. And that, my friends, is the North Star that guides every gift-giving decision we make.
For the foodie mum
Despite the fact that her chocolate brownies rival those of Jamie Oliver, my mum hates cooking. For her, sweating in front of a hot oven is the worst kind of punishment, especially when she could be doing *literally* anything else. Knowing this, I’d never buy her any cooking paraphernalia. (Especially if I want to hold onto “favourite child” status.)
But your mum might be different. Would she sell her second-favourite child for the chance to meet Nigella Lawson? If so, a fun culinary class might be the ultimate Christmas gift for her.
From rustic Italian pasta-making to Japanese street food, there are 700+ cooking classes to choose from around Australia. No matter what you pick, Mum will pick up new skills and techniques, add some fresh recipes to her collection and have the time of her life doing what she loves most. Plus, at the end of the class, she’ll get to dig into her creations with her fellow foodies.
To make this experience gift even more special, I’d recommend choosing a cooking class you can do together. The mother-daughter memories you make will be the cherry on top of an already-tasty gift idea.
For the art-loving mum
Anyone with a keen eye would notice that our family home is full of art. There are landscapes from local artists, abstract drawings by family friends, contemporary Aboriginal dot paintings and even a few of her own creations. I know for a fact that she’s always wanted to visit Monet’s Garden in Paris and goes to see the Archibald every year.
By following the breadcrumbs out of the kitchen and into the living room, I’ve stumbled upon a foolproof theme for my gift: art. And now, the list of potential presents is endless.
I could buy her painting supplies, wrap up a beautiful coffee table book, or source a print by her favourite artist. Or, better yet, I could forget the material objects and treat her to an arty experience instead.
From oil painting for beginners to charcoal drawing, there are hundreds of new skills to learn and thousands of creative classes to choose from around Australia. Find an art class near you and treat mum to a creative day out this Christmas.
For the mum that breaks convention
Motherhood is one of life’s most significant roles, but it’s only one part of a multi-faceted identity. In 2024, most mums break convention in one way or another, which makes relying on stereotypical gifts a lousy idea.
Some mums won’t touch knitting needles with a ten-foot pole. Some mums are more comfortable on the football field than in the dance studio. Some women love getting their nails done, while others would prefer to go for a hike. (And some women love both.)
Point being: Think of your mum as a person, not as part of a pre-defined category. Based on her unique interests, what kind of experience could you gift her? What about an adventurous bee-keeping class, a thrilling glass-blowing workshop or a sensory perfume-making experience? I recommend choosing something out of the ordinary. Something she’d never think to do herself.
In 2022, I took my mum to a silversmithing class in the Southern Highlands where we learned to make our own rings. The jewellery we made was special – we still wear our rings to this day – but the memories we shared were even more precious. I could have gone the easy route and bought her a pair of earrings, but I knew she'd appreciate some quality creative time with her little girl.
Give a moment, not an object.
IMO, experiences are the best daughter-mother Christmas gifts because they allow you to spend intentional time together. There’s nothing my mum cherishes more than quality time with her favourite (and only) daughter – and I’d wager your mum thinks the same. So clear your calendar, find a date and book into an experience you can enjoy together. From art classes to food and drink tastings, there's something for every mother-daughter duo to enjoy this Christmas.
