Mother's Day Ideas for a Special Day

Get creative this Mother’s Day without breaking the bank and show Mum just how much you care. The most meaningful gifts are the ones filled with care, creativity and connection. From morning surprises to thoughtful homemade touches, we’ve lined up 25 of our best Mother’s Day ideas. And of course, Quality Street® is along for the ride, adding just the right amount of sweet nostalgia! So, without further ado, let’s pop the tin on this collection of feel-good ideas.  

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Morning Surprises for Mum  

Spoil Mum with sweet Muments.  

1. Go classic with Breakfast in bed and her favourite cuppa 

Start the day with a luxuriously lazy morning that every Mum dreams of with a frothy homemade cappuccino or a steamy pot of her favourite tea. Throw our Scotch Pancakes recipe into the mix with fresh strawberries and whipped cream and you’re onto a winner. 

2. A handwritten “open when” note to make her day 

Make Mum’s heart flutter and soar with the thoughtful note labelled “Open When You Wake Up.” But what should I write, we hear you say! Well, you’re in luck because our Mother’s Day Messages article has everything you need. From touching and inspiring to funny ha-ha messages, there’s something for every mum, stepmum, nan or gran.

3. A family walk to her favourite park, green space or beach

The great outdoors is calling! Get everyone into the fresh air with a little grounding session and a casual stroll full of Instagram-worthy moments. Hit the park, visit the beach or take a jaunt through the countryside.

4. Fresh flowers left on her bedside table

It’s hard to argue with the simple charm and feel-good factor of a bright bouquet of flowers. Pick all her favourites and if you want to sweeten things up, explore the delights of a chocolate bouquet with our easy How to Make a Chocolate Bouquet article. 
 
 

Homemade Touches for Mother’s Day

Get crazy, colourful and creative with your Mother’s Day ideas. 
 

5. A DIY Mother’s Day card with kids’ drawings  

Forget perfection and lean into charming personality with arts and crafts. Let the kids go wild and create something fridge- or wall-worthy. Think crayons, finger paints, coloured markers, glitter and everything in between.

6. A framed family photo or collage

Organise a photoshoot of the kids, pets or friends or make a collage of funny moments from your last holiday. Add a few hand-written captions, some colourful fun from the kids and a few lines of poetry that say how much you care. 

7. Homemade baked treats for your sweetheart  

Add the warmth of a freshly baked treat to your Mother’s Day ideas with something from our delicious recipe collection. Host the ultimate cake brunch with our Mother’s Day Cake or Mother’s Day Cupcakes. Take her for a picnic in the park with our White Chocolate and Raspberry Scones or surprise her with a beautiful ribbon-wrapped box of Aero® Brownies. 

8. A handmade voucher booklet 

Create simple vouchers for things like ‘Breakfast in Bed,’ ‘A Cup of Tea’ or ‘An Uninterrupted Nap.’ Pop them into a small jar for easy access during the day or write them on small strips of paper and attach them to a selection of Quality Street®. 

9. A playlist of songs that remind you of her 

Go for a mix of old-school nostalgia and tunes you can dance to in the kitchen. Share the playlist on the family messaging group and impose a mandatory dance off just before teatime!  

Shared Moments for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day ideas are always better when you’re together.  

10. Host the ultimate afternoon tea at home 

No Mother’s Day is complete without a proper teatime so why not make this one her best ever? Think assorted mini sandwiches, fresh fruit, crunchy veggies with dip and treats like our Blueberry and White Chocolate Muffins or Aero® Chocolate and Hazelnut Cookies. Scatter Quality Street® chocolates and toffees on the table for easy sharing, and don’t forget a selection of flavoured teas!

11. Host a Mum’s Film Night with her pick of film and treats 

Even if it’s her 100th viewing of Bridget Jones’s Diary, let Mum be the star of the show. That means her film choice, her favourite snacks and all her best people around to watch and enjoy the show. To take your snack selection to Oscar-winning status, read our Movie Night Snacks article.  

12. Cooking her favourite meal together

Whether it’s roast lamb with all the trimmings, veggie pasta with sprinkles of Parmesan or just grilled cheesy toasties in a pan, get into the kitchen and make it a tasty team effort. Don’t forget to do the washing up and pack it all away, and no leaving pots to ‘soak’ overnight!

13. A board game or puzzle afternoon 

Dust off your best board games or get stuck into a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle together. Add snacks, laughter and a few friendly arguments about the specifics of the rules for the full experience! 
 

14. A family scrapbook session to capture memories and stories 

Haul out the old photo boxes or wade into the recesses of your old hard drives for photos to print. Scrapbooking is a nostalgic, emotive and laugh-out-loud experience for the whole family. Let each family member plan out a page with their best pics, captions or silly messages.  
 

Little Treats for Mum 

Little perks with big impact!  

15. A Quality Street® tin shared as dessert with handwritten thank-you notes tucked inside 

Make every sweet treat even sweeter with a collection of thank-you notes. Think caring thoughts, inspiring sentiments and funny yet touching quotes on a selection of different paper or coloured card. Let dessert become a memory-making moment. 

16. A pamper hamper 

Give her the gift of luxury and self-care with a pamper hamper! Pop in a face mask, hand cream, body butter, some fluffy socks, and a few Quality Street®. Wrap it up in tissue paper and you've nailed the cosy-care vibe. 

17. A walk down memory lane 

Look through old family albums, watch old videos, or retell your favourite classic family stories. Another fun surprise is to compile a slide show of selected photos with your smart phone and stream it to the TV screen.

18. A personalised mug filled with her favourite Quality Street® flavours 

Create a dual-purpose, customised gift that’s quick and easy to pull off, even in a pinch! Grab a funny mug, fill it with Quality Street® and a sweet note then wrap the whole thing in cellophane wrap and a ribbon. Practical and thoughtful. 

19. A sweet surprise phone or video call if you can’t be there in person

Make the world feel a little smaller with a thoughtful video call. Set a time, dial in and bring your best smiles. You could even host a virtual quiz or family game with the kids and grandkids!

20. A bubble bath with candles and quiet time 

After five hundred “Mums?” and an endless to-do list, the power of a 30-minute uninterrupted bathtime is priceless. Run her a bath, add some bubbles, light a few candles and leave her alone. 

Extra Ideas for This Mother’s Day 

Looking for a few more lovely touches to show you care? Let’s make mum feel seen, loved and appreciated! 

21. Planting a flower or herb pot together 

Get your hands in the soil with a beautiful goal in mind. Plant rosemary, sage and thyme for the kitchen windowsill or a selection of her favourite spring blooms. Let the kids paint a few pots for a memorable touch and don’t forget to snap some pics of the finished masterpiece.  

22. Breakfast picnic indoors if the weather’s bad

Rainy skies? No problem! Turn your lounge or living room area into a cosy picnic spot complete with fairy lights or soft glowing lanterns. Prep a basket with sandwiches, wraps, fresh fruit and a selection of baked goods featuring all your favourite Nestlé treats – read our Family Picnic Guide for inspo. Add a few jars or vases of fresh flowers and a small Bluetooth speaker playing birdsongs greatest hits for an authentic feel!

23. Writing a short poem or letter of thanks

Channel your inner Shakespeare and put quill to paper! Write Mum a few loving lines or a simple letter of appreciation and thanks. Frame it, fold it into a card or tuck it under her pillow for a moment of surprise.

24. Decorating cupcakes or biscuits with the kids

Break out the aprons, crack a few eggs and get ready for some kitchen fun. Try our cute and colourful Mini Smarties® Cupcakes or whip up a batch of creamy and zingy Milkybar Raspberry Blondies. Let the kids add a few final touches of edible glitter or sprinkles and serve your creations for tea!  

25. Wrapping individual Quality Street® chocolates with little affirmations 

Turn her favourite chocs and toffees into tiny acts of kindness. Wrap the individual Quality Street® in tissue or craft paper with mini affirmations written on the inside. Think of them as little surprises within surprises with kind words like ‘You’re amazing,’ ‘You always put others first,’ or ‘Thanks for everything you do.’ Place them in a jar, a bowl or tuck them into different spots around the house for her to find throughout the day.

Conclusion 

No matter which of our Mother’s Day ideas you choose, celebrating Mum is about making her feel loved and appreciated. Keep it simple or go all out, but make every second count and each moment sweeter with Quality Street®. For more special occasion inspiration and tasty recipes, sign up for our monthly newsletter.