Yes yes we understand. It's almost always an impossible task to find the perfect present for the best person in the whole wide world - our moms! Hopefully this gift guide can help to inspire you in your search for that elusive perfect present.
This year, since all of us won't be able to just waltz up to our favourite shops to buy presents, we have collated a list of local brands for you to support and shop online!
For the Bookworm
Bookworms should know the iconic Basheer Graphic Books retail outlet. It's a true book haven that stocks hard-to-find books and we will always try to pop by whenever we're in the area.
Two 'coffee table' books that we bought from them
A physical bookstore is a dying trade so we always heave a sigh of relief whenever we see the store still open after coming up the escalator at Bras Basah Complex. The good news is they now have an online store too and we are 100% sure you can find a suitable book for your mom!
For the Sporty Mom
If you know your mum's a fitness geek, we know what you should get - these funky hairbands, Sweatybands, from a local sports online store, Pancit Sports. We are liking that name too! They do stock other niche products too such as the klitch footwear clip and fanciful golf towels.
For the Green Thumb
Our favourite past time is going nursery-hopping along Bah Soon Pah Road where we can literally spend the entire day browsing plants! Since we can't be strolling like that during this period, we have collated a list of links for you to check out for your mum!
Freshly harvested edible flowers from @wwedibles.sg
Joanna from @wwedibles.sg sells her personally grown and collected non-GMO, open pollinated variety of seeds from her garden. On top of gardening kits, she sells edible flower boxes too if you intend to cook/bake for your mum! Update: Unfortunately, under the enhanced COVID-19 measures, she will only resume selling after 12th May.
A philodendron bob cee from @houseofplants.sg
And if you are running out of gifting ideas, you know you can't go wrong with plants! We've got your covered - check out House of Plants and Rabbit Island. And nope, it's not actually an island, it's just a really cool plant shop! Both shops are still delivering online but you may want to get your orders in early.
And if you think your mom needs some cheeky pots for her plants, you know where to find us right?
For the Foodie
For the mom that is a foodie, why not get her some delicious unique bakes and food from cafes and local bakers?
Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes - Earl grey with salted caramel custard (from home baker @dilutedcoke)
We have to recommend one of our favourite home bakers - Jiajia of @dilutedcoke. We've ordered cookies and cupcakes from her numerous times and we have never been disappointed - she is always trying out new flavours that will get your mum drooling for more! Yes yes, she had to shutter her business for now (until 12th May) under the enhanced COVID-19 measures but she definitely deserves a mention on our list and you should bookmark her for future culinary needs!
Check out these cardamom rolls by @bakerybrera
If we can choose only one food place that is going up on our list, Bakery Brera is it! They bake the best pastries around and are still operational during this period.
After suggesting these food places, we have to say that nothing spells love more than a home-cooked meal for your mother. So if you are thinking of cooking, baking or putting something together, here are some online recipes you can follow:
- Lin from @tumblinbumblincrumblincookie: For vegan recipes or dessert ideas
- Lace Zhang, who is also the author of 'Three Dishes One Soup - Inside the Singapore Kitchen': For everyday meals
- Food blogger Aun Koh: For innovative new dishes
For the Handmade Tableware Lover
Of course, we have a mother's day section, but hey... we aren't going to toot our own horn!
Coffee dripper set from Satin & Crackle
Satin & Crackle's contemporary tableware line is sure to get your mum's approval while Ummuramics is a brand more for the artistic ones! And a tableware shortlist will not be complete without Carragh Amos's uncommon kurinuki and wood-fired tableware line! Unfortunately, her shop is closed during this circuit breaker period, so a gift for Mother's Day probably won't make it in time but you have to bookmark her!
Carragh Amos's wood-fired coil vessel
Just look at this wooden board!
If wooden tableware is more of your mum's thing, this serving wooden board from Woodinden would fit the bill. These boards come in different sizes and it would make a perfect DIY cheese platter for this circuit breaker period.
If all else fails, these galaxy serving platters and coasters from local brand Jelly G should hit the mark right? All handmade in Singapore of course!
For the Artsy Mom
As Picasso once said,
The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls
To help with the washing of the dust, we have rounded out 3 of our favourite local brands and artists !
Ly Yeow is a local artist that we have been so drawn to ever since we did a collaboration with her for our pots. Book a needle-punching workshop for some belated mother-child(ren) bonding time (her classes are suspended for now).
Embroidery work from @teeteeheehee
Teresa from Teeteeheehee has a gift of telling stories through her needlework. To get your mum teary this mother's day, you can commission a portrait for your mum/family!
Cord x Clay is a brand started by two sisters who live in opposite corners of the world, Singapore and USA. Browse through their entire Etsy listing and we are sure you won't leave empty handed. You can also customise a hand woven tapestry from them!
For the Accessories-Crazy Mum
Eden + Elie artisanal woven jewellery
A wise lady once said, one can never have enough accessories. And... she is right. Singapore has a plethora of home-grown accessories brands, but we think Eden + Elie deserves the first spot (at least in our eyes)! They have gained quite a following for their distinctive Peranakan-inspired jewellery but you have to read the story behind the brand to truly appreciate what the founder, Stephanie Choo, has done!
Wabi Sabi & MeAnother noteworthy brand would be Wabi Sabi & Me which up-cycles porcelain homeware into unique accessories, sometimes incorporating gemstones into them. Aristelle Co gets on our list too as we like their modern and trendy take on accessories. For affordable, luxury products like card holders, coin purses and small wallets, The Aurelian is the place to go to!
The Aurelian
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Hopefully, we have done our part to give you some ideas for Mother's Day! Let us know if we've missed out any local small businesses that you think deserve a mention here. Happy hunting!
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