Unique Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is fast approaching and instead of scrambling around for boring, conventional Mother's Day gift ideas, why not really splurge out and select a gift worthy of the Number One woman in your life?

Mother's Day, in all its various cultural guises, has always been celebrated. Historians and anthropologists have recorded naive and moving tributes to the abundance of the Earth Mother from the earliest times of man.

The ancient Romans dedicated the Hilaria Festival to the mother goddess, Cybele, while the Greeks didn't confine their appreciation of the mother figure to only one goddess but rather a pantheon of fair gods including Artemis, Juno and the 'Great Goddess', Gaia.

Mother's Day Around the World

In Bolivia they celebrate Mother's Day on the same day an important battle, fought with the help of females warriors, was won. Whereas in Islamic countries Mother's Day coincides with the birthday of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad!

It took an American, Anna Jarvis to formalise the idea of Mother's Day being held and celebrated on the same day in many western countries.

Traditionally, flowers and simple hand-made gifts were the mainstay of Mother's Day gift ideas but in the modern world, alternative Mother's Day gifts have become popular.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Donate to her favourite charity or contribute towards a needy child's education in her name but whatever you do, do it with love.

Select a gift you know she will be enchanted with but is unlikely to buy for herself. An elegant, soft Mohair Shawl, in the warmest of chocolate browns or a trendy animal print Pashmina will make your Mum feel like royalty.

Python-skin, crocodile and ostrich leather handbags, wallets and other exotic skin goods and accessories will elevate her into the realm of goddess, whilst exotic leather luggage with buffalo trim or simply nappa and springbok will ensure she's part of the jet-set.

Conservation-Friendly Exotic Leather

Although many of us may recoil at the acquisition of exotic skin accessories and home furnishings, it's largely unnecessary to feel the guilt. Animals are bred for their skins in the same way as animals are bred for their meat, so if you enjoy a rare chateaubriand, a spicy chicken kebab or roast venison, why not invest in the elegance of the apparel too?

Make Sure It's Genuine

However, ensure your alternative and exotic leather Mother's Day gift idea is the genuine article. Faux is simply not acceptable, so if it doesn't smell like leather, feel like leather or has a too-perfect pore pattern, then the odds are you've just bought Mum a bit of a dud!