From pampering hotel stays to DIY spa days – Louise McSharry’s guide to last-minute Mother’s Day gifts

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I don’t know how it happened but somehow it’s Mother’s Day tomorrow. If, like me, you are mystified by the passage of time, this fact may be somewhat alarming. Maybe you are not prepared. Maybe you got your car keys or your Leap Card and have an arm in your jacket sleeve. Maybe you don’t have a present. Well, my friends, you are not alone.

Mothers are notoriously hard to buy. They say things like “I’ll be happy with a token!” and “Your presence is my gift” and “Honestly, it’s the thought that counts, so don’t spend a lot of money”. I know, because I am, and that last line is the one that strikes fear in my husband’s eyes every time he bemoans the fact that I’m hard to buy. Of course, no one is hard to buy if you know what they want. So today I’m going to try to tell you what mothers want, via some last minute gift suggestions..

A mother’s wants and desires vary greatly depending on what stage of motherhood she is in (and, of course, her individual wants and needs – we are all still human beings at the end of the daytime). While a mother of adults may want to spend time with her children, a mother of toddlers would probably like to spend time away from them. For this reason, a break in a spa hotel is always a nice gift. You can go with them if they want more time with you, and they can go alone or with friends if they want to get away.

The dream reservation, in my opinion, is one Monart at Wexford. This hotel is built on relaxation, and guests swan on the premises in robes for the duration of their to stay. The rooms are spacious and peacefully decorated, the spa is a nice place to unwind (I particularly like to read in the bright relaxation room) and the cocktail menu at the bar is excellent. It’s always booked well in advance, but it’s a delightful thing to look forward to. A two-night B&B package starts from €239.

Farnham Estate is another great option in a beautiful setting – the indoor/outdoor pool is a particular treat. Their Thank You Mom package includes a two-night stay with dinner midweek and is available from €209 per person.

If you really want to splash out, Killarney’s Europe offers a celebration package including two nights in B&B in a room with a view of the lake, dinner, a bottle of champagne, chocolates, access to the active level (pools) and a free horseback ride. This package is available from 510€pps.

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PS Eye Stone Roller and Face Massager Combo

PS Eye Stone Roller and Face Massager Combo

Video of the day

If a spa hotel is out of budget this year, why not create a spa experience at home? Penneys has a great range of facial tools in stock at the moment, like their 1. PS Eye Stone Roller and Face Massager Set (€9).

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Garnier Moisture Bomb Moisturizing Sheet


Garnier Moisture Bomb Moisturizing Sheet

Garnier Moisture Bomb Moisturizing Sheet

Get an inexpensive face mask like 2. At Garnier Moisture Bomb Hydrating Sheet Mask (€2.79 via boots.fr) Where 3. Patchology Illuminating Eye Gels (4€ via boots.fr) and set them up in a comfortable place in your home.

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Patchology Illuminating Eye Gels


Patchology Illuminating Eye Gels

Patchology Illuminating Eye Gels

Pop on a playlist on Spotify, start the aromatherapy diffuser, and hangs her dressing gown on a radiator. Put on a little show with the kids, welcome “Madame” to the spa, forbid her to do any work right now, then leave the house.

Buy Irish

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Blank Canvas Foundation Brush F20


Blank Canvas Foundation Brush F20

Blank Canvas Foundation Brush F20

Blank canvas cosmetics have been a mainstay of many Irish makeup bags since founder Una Tynan launched the brand in 2011. While the Blank Canvas website includes makeup, mirrors, hairbrushes and more, these are the brushes of makeup that they are truly known for. the Foundation Buffer Brush F20 (15€ via blankcanvascosmetics.com) is a cult favorite thanks to its ability to apply foundation quickly and evenly. This brush also works brilliantly for blending other cream products, from contour to blush to highlights.

Something old…

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Burt's Bees Coconut & Pear Lip Balm


Burt’s Bees Coconut Pear Lip Balm

Burt’s Bees Coconut Pear Lip Balm

There’s no doubt that the OG of harnessing the power of bees for beauty is Burt’s Bees. The company was started in the early 1980s by Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby, two photojournalists who moved to Maine to seek the quiet life after busy careers. Burt quickly became known as the “Bee Man” after he found a wandering beehive and started producing honey. Roxanne found a recipe book, which led her to turn their wax into lip balm, and the rest is history. The Burt’s Bees range now includes hundreds of products, but it’s their lip balm that I turn to again and again – the Coconut & Pear Lip Balm (€4.50 through evergreen.ie) to be precise. It smells great and works brilliantly to soothe chapped lips.

… Something new

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Hair oil infused with Gisou honey


Hair oil infused with Gisou honey

Hair oil infused with Gisou honey

Gisou is a brand I was unfamiliar with until recently, but its arrival in the new Brown Thomas in Dundrum led me to investigate. Gisou is the brainchild of Negin Mirsalehi, a sixth generation Dutch beekeeper. The range of hair products are all infused with Mirsalehi honey from the Mirsalehi garden. Why would you want honey in your hair? It is a natural humectant, which means it retains moisture, keeps hair healthy and adds softness and shine. The brand’s flagship product is its Honey infused hair oil (40€-77€ via brownthomas.com), a thick, luxurious oil that’s a pleasure to use, albeit at a steep price, with a beautiful floral and millennial pink packaging.

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