The Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Guide for Every Budget

Mother's Day may be fast approaching and pay day may be long gone but no matter your budget, I got you (and your mammy/baby momma/wife). The temptation to pop in an eye wateringly large bottle of gin was almost too much to resist but know this, when all else fails, gin works. Corrina has already shared the top 5 experiences for under €50 to share with do mháthair HERE so I'm rounding that off with some pretty products should you prefer. 

Top 5 Experiences under €50 to Share with Mum this Mother’s Day!

If you ask any Mother the number one thing she wants for Mother’s Day she’ll tell you it’s just to be left alone for the day! Only joking, it’s usually to spend quality time with her children. I’m a stay at home Mam to 5 children under 9 years old, so I’m lucky I get to spend a lot of time with them. My Mother’s Day is usually spent catching up with my Mam and my sister over a meal. Mother’s Day gifts can be quite expensive, especially as this year we have a lot of events such as St. Patrick’s Day and Easter all happening over the space of one pay cheque. I’ve come up with my top 5 recommendations of Mother’s Day gifts, not only are they all under €50 but under €50 for both of you! Affordable bowling ball, how are ya!

Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford

Dealrush.ie has a fantastic deal at the moment just €14.95pp for afternoon tea with prosecco. This offer is valid 7 days a week up till 31^st March so you are not restricted on what day you can use the voucher. The Four Seasons is located just an hour north of Dublin in the beautiful town of Carlingford. You also receive complimentary access to their leisure Club including an 18m Swimming Pool, Sauna, Steamroom, Gym and Jacuzzi now that’s good value. This deal can be bought HERE.

Swedish Massage at Freya Beauty, Naas

How about an afternoon of pure indulgence? Pigsback.com has an offer of €20pp for a half body Swedish massage in Freya Beauty in Naas. This is a perfect way to relax and unwind with your Mam. There is also an option of a full body massage for €35pp, vouchers are valid until 30^th April 2016. Full details can be found HERE.

Dinner, Dessert and Craft Beer Tasting Tray at Alfie Byrne’s

Get yourself over to thetaste.ie for this brilliant offer, only €35 for a main course, dessert and a craft beer tasting tray for two. I think this would also be an ideal option for a group of galpals for a Mammy’s night out. They have scrumptious mains available, you can choose from Spinach and Ricotta Tortellini, Galway Bay Brewery Beer Battered Cod among a host of other mouth watering dishes. Alfie Byrn’s is a craft brew pub located on Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin City. This deal can be bought HERE.

Pat Liddy’s Commemorative 1916 Walking Tour of Dublin

This one is a little bit different but if your Mam is in to history she’ll love this. I actually snapped up tickets for our family as soon as I saw this offer, it’ll make a great day out to celebrate Mother’s Day with my history mad little ones. As part of Heritage Week last year we participated in a Pat Liddy walking tour in Marino and it was fantastic, he’s such a gentleman and a fountain of fascinating facts. Dealrush.ie has an offer of just €6 for a two hour long walk around Dublin learning about the pivotal moments of the 1916 Rising. Vouchers are valid until 31^st May 2016 and can be purchased HERE.

Bed and Breakfast at Central Hotel, Tullamore

You *may* have to pay extra to have a man waiting in your Mother's room - I'm not 100%...

Now this is what I call an offer and a great way to squeeze in an extra few hours with your Moma. Escapes.ie has a deal of just €49 for one night B&B for two with late checkout in the heart of Tullamore. Not only that but they’ll also throw in a bottle of sparkling wine should you decide to dine in their restaurant. There’s an option to add an extra night for an extra €40, 2 children under the age of 12 can stay free of charge. Book HERE.

So tell us, have you plans for this Mother's Day? 

Do they involve your Mother?

Any suggestions that we could have included here?

Whatever you do do, Enjoy!

Pic Credit:

Each photo is courtesy of

the experience/Hotel featured. 

Mother's Day Gift Guides - Whatever Your Budget - Under €20 - Under €50 - Under €100

I know a lot of you clever peeps will be well set for Mothering Sunday this week, - for those of you that aren't yet? You know it's Mother's Day this week, right? Should you be in possession of a Mother (Mother in Law/God Mother/Awesome Aunt) you might want to read on. 

I've put together a couple of ideas, whatever your budget, to show your Mamito that you love her. Of course love doesn't cost a penny and she will, most probably tell you - 'Arragh, you shouldn't have!!' but she will be grateful and you will be the favourite child. True story. 

We've spoken about or reviewed pretty much every product here before, so if you're unsure about an ingredient or different stockist just leave me a comment and we'll sort you and your Momma out. Rest your reading eyes and feast 'em upon your best buys for every budget: 

What say we? 

Of course all your Momma really wants is to spend some time with you, even if that's just bending your ear on a 30 minute phonecall home or even better a lunch somewhere swish. 

These are preeeety nice sweeteners too though, right? 

Tell us, have you bought your Mother's Day Gift yet? 

Are you a Momma yourself and looking forward to the day? 

To the Comments!

L'Occitane NÉROLI & ORCHIDÉE Joins Collection de Grasse Fragrances Just in Time for Momma's Day!

My first foray into Collection de Grasse from L'Occitane came just before Christmas last year in the shape of FLEUR D'OR & ACACIA and CÈDRE & ORANGER in this post. Now to celebrate the first anniversary of the Collection and just in time for Mother's Day the brand have collaborated again with their own Perfumer, Karine Dubreuil (FROM Grasse in Provence no less!) are introducing a new addition NÉROLI & ORCHIDÉE. 

When we're talking about this specially blended scent, we're talking fruity and floral (as the name implies) with Mediterranean Neroli  & Madagascan white orchid absolute but there's a body to it brought by the orange blossom that lends depth to the fragrance and might take some by surprise. It did me. 

Not one normally for floral fragrances, I found myself opening Néroli & Orchidée again and again, intrigued by the sensuality of the fragrance and the way it developed on my skin, Estée's Sensuous is my signature scent so I'm more of a musky, husky (not in girth), nails down your back kinda girl when it comes to fragrance but this really surprised me... until I read the actual ingredients:  

• TOP NOTES - orange, mandarin, 
• HEART NOTES - neroli, peach & fig milk and 
• BASE NOTES - orchid, musk & iris

The entire collection is set to launch March 3rd in stores and online and will include the brand new intriguing product, L'Occitane Fragrance Beautifying Cream (€30.50), that I spoke about on Instagram yesterday . 

Prices start at just €8 for the soap and work their way up to €57 for the EDT (that candle for €28 is on my list). For sweet/floral lovers Néroli & Ochidée is a no brainer but I'm going to recommend you don't write this one off as a floral or a fruity number before you actually try it. It has so much more to offer the mavens of the muskier scents too. 
What do we think? Interest piqued? Momma's Day sorted?