Since they’ve been old enough, my children have asked what I’d like for Mother’s Day. Each time, I’ve requested a cup of tea in bed. And I really mean that. It would make my day. However, I know that since getting a current account with a debit card, my two teenagers enjoy shopping for Mother’s Day gifts and they both put a lot of time and effort into it. Likewise, I love choosing something special for my own mum, though I know her sentiments are the same as mine. I’m certain I speak for all mums when I say that the very fact our children do that is precious in itself.

So with this in mind, I was delighted to be invited back to Monks Cross Shopping, near York. You might remember that I went there to shop for my outfit for York Races last summer. My brief  on this occasion was to find Mother’s Day gifts to include home, fashion and beauty. Monks Cross Shopping is just outside of York, about an hour and a quarter from where I live here in Skipton. I love it because it’s small enough not to take a whole day to look around, but it has enough shops to offer a wide and varied choice. And please don’t worry if you don’t live in the area. The shops are all chainstore favourites so the items I have chosen will be available from a high street or shopping centre near you as well as online. If however you do love in the vicinity, I highly recommend it. There is ample free parking for up to four hours and it’s close to the centre of York and the York Park and Ride, should you wish to venture into the city afterwards.

Mothers’ Day Gifts: Fashion

I like to buy clothes for my mum for Mother’s Day. At this time of year the shops are full of new season styles and it’s nice to have something new for the Easter period too. I’m always drawn to florals, especially when spring is within touching distance.

The clothing shops at Monks Cross were full of gorgeous fresh prints in vibrant colours; a feast for the eyes and a very happy reminder that warmer days will come!

Outfit

Outfit includes concessions from Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Wallis, Apricot and Oasis. There is something to suit mums of every age and style. For mums who appreciate art and enjoy wearing print, Warehouse has a collaboration called Inside Out which has been inspired by the arts at The Barbican. With bold, uplifting colours and botanical prints, these are perfect for the spring summer season.  Prices from £25.

This cheery cherry shirt dress, £49, is gorgeous too. Wear with opaque tights and boots when its cold and sandals bare legs and sandals when it isn’t.

Oasis has some jumpers that really show the love. This grey sweatshirt is a casual style with a touch of sparkle. £30

And for mums like me who like to wear their heart on their sleeve, Oasis has this gorgeous navy ruffled top covered in red hearts. I’m afraid this photo doesn’t do it justice…but I bought it for myself, so you can see it in much better detail at the end of the post.

Laura Ashley

Laura Ashley always presents its clothing as the most beautiful stories. There are a lot of fresh, pretty florals in clear bright colours that typify SS18. Prices go from £6 for accessories to £80 for dresses.

(Please note that at the time of writing there are reductions of up to 40% on clothing and home at Laura Ashley. I don’t know how long it’ll run for, so I have given the full and discounted prices. If you’re quick you’ll be able to make the most of these rather good seasonal offers).

I think this red falling flower button through blouse, £50, (currently £30), is adorable.

As is this yellow daisy blouse, also £50, (currently £30) from Laura Ashley. Perfect for Easter as well as Mother’s day.

Debenhams

Debenhams, like Outfit, has several concessions including “Designers at Debenhams” which means there is a range to suit all tastes. Nine by Savannah Miller is a new addition since I was last at Monks Cross. This has a vibe to suit cool, boho mums of all ages. Prices from £20-£60.

It was the pretty, feminine details that caught my eye in this department.

I loved this floral midi dress so much that I bought it myself! I have put some photographs at the end of the post to see it in all its glory. (£59).

Evans

This navy embroidered sweat top is half price at £20. It’s a lovely casual option and the metallic scarf, £12.50, elevates it into something  suitable for a laid-back special occasion.

Mother’s Day Gifts: Accessories

Accessories are always a good option for posting if you won’t be seeing your mum on Mother’s Day. They are also an excellent alternative if you want to treat your mum to something personal, but would rather not choose clothing. Monks cross Shopping has several shops with an array of jewellery, scarves, bags and accessories, all in a range of budgets and styles.

Accessorize

Statement earrings have been popular for several season now and this is a trend that is set to continue throughout 2018 and beyond. They are an inexpensive way of adding colour and a bit of fun to an outfit.

I have been slowly adding to my collection of tassel earrings .Accessorize has a veritable rainbow of them of them, from pastels to brights from just £6. I was tempted into buying a green pair.

And for mums who prefer delicate jewellery, there’s a beautiful selection of sterling silver pieces from just £8.

Topshop

This pale blue pearl crossbody bag, £28, in Topshop reminds me of the outfit that the Queen wore when sitting front row at London Fashion week! I think all mamas are queens and this is a bag to suit all generations.

Outfit

Outfit has a lot of accessories to choose from and I couldn’t help but stop and smile at these floral pumps, £26.

And these scarves are so pretty. Again, ideal if you need to post your gift.

Mother’s Day Gifts: Beauty

Anything to make us mums feel pampered is always well-received. The year before last my own daughter Poppy bought me a selection of my usual toiletries and make up. I was so touched because she’d taken note of what I use day in day out. It was a wonderful gift.

Boots

Boots at Monks Cross has such a huge selection- I didn’t know where to start. As well as own brand and budget products from £2 and popular mid-priced ranges such as Olay and L’Oreal, there are some premium brands including Chanel and Estee Lauder. Other ideas include electricals such as a hair dryer or straighteners or perfume. Fabulous!

Debenhams

When I was in Debenhams looking at clothes, I saw and tried this new fragrance, Twinkle by Marc Jacobs. The beautiful bottle epitomises spring, prettiness and happiness. Prices start from £55.

Mother’s Day Gifts: Home

Primark

Primark is ideal for pocket money gifts. I was very impressed with the selection and of course, at how affordable everything is. There is a lot of fashionable homeware, including pineapples, flamingoes, marble and rose gold and an excellent choice of candles.

This pineapple candle holder is just £6.

And the candles on the left are £6 and the one on the right, (which I liked so much that I bought one), is £5.

Tk Maxx

The TK Maxx at Monks Cross is brilliant. It has a very large area dedicated to homeware. Again, candles are always well received and there are countless to choose from, starting from £2.99.

Another gift I enjoy giving and receiving is a frame complete with a personal photograph. In this digital age, not many of us print our photos. I think every mum likes to get a photo of her loved ones.

I always love getting new kitchenware and these copper pans look the business. Prices from £12

There are so many home accessories to chose from at TK Maxx including cushions, artwork and lamps. I saw this clock and decided it was exactly right for my kitchen. Time is so precious and at £20, this is an affordable reminder. I just wish they wouldn’t have put an extremely adhesive sticker on the front. It took ages to remove it!

Laura Ashley

I enjoy looking at homeware as much as I enjoy looking at clothes. Laura Ashley has a lot to choose from. These pink table accessories caught my eye. How perfect for a Mother’s day lunch or an Easter table setting. As I said earlier, there are good seasonal reductions now on so it’s worth going sooner rather than later. Prices of this range start from £12 full price.

I love all things nautical and this is so cute! There’s a whole range of crab table accessories, starting at £5 for paper napkins.

And staying at the seaside, I love this cake stand which comes from the Harbour collection.  It’s unusual to get a rectangular one. I love this. It’s £45 full price, but at the time of writing is just £27.

WHSmith

Oh how I love recipe books. I have countless and never tire of receiving them as gifts. WHSmith has an excellent choice of recipe books as well as fiction and non-fiction and stationery. A thoughtful gift and one which is easy to wrap!

Mothers Day Gifts: My Personal Recommendations

Whenever I write a gift guide or similar, I usually include only those things that I have bought or tried for myself. If not, it seems like I’m writing a shopping list rather than a personal recommendation. Of course I would have loved to buy everything here to try and test. From the budget I had, I bought something from three of the four categories of Mother’s Day gifts. They come from five of the ten shops I mentioned and they range in price from of £6 to £59. As always, I love everything I bought and will use or wear it over and over.

My daughter Poppy will be working on Mother’s Day so we are going to go for an early smart casual supper once she finishes. I chose this ruffled heart top for the occasion. It was £30 from Oasis at Outfit.

I fell in love with this romantic floral midi dress, £59 from Nine at Debenhams. I’m going to save it to wear over the Easter weekend.

I bought these green tassel earrings to go with the dress. They were £6 from Accessorize and there are several colour options.

I loved the scent of this lily and honeysuckle candle £5 from Primark and have been burning it every evening since I got it.

And this marble-effect tealight holder is simple and elegant and cost just £2 from Primark.

And finally, the TKMaxx clock that cost just £20 is now hanging on my kitchen wall, minus the price sticker! Stylish and useful.

I hope this has provided some inspiration. Whether you’re a mother and/or are spending time with your own mum, I wish you have a very Happy Mother’s Day next Sunday.