Big thanks to that one special woman

Online shops offer plenty of ways to treat mum with something special on Sunday, writes CHRIS BARTON.

Like it or hate it, Mother's Day is a hard one to ignore. Some try to dismiss it as just another excuse to get you to spend money. But setting aside a day to celebrate the person who brought you into the world has got to be a well-intentioned idea.

Unless of course, as sometimes happens, your relationship with mother is the cause of all the problems in your life. But even if that's the case, you should take the day as an opportunity to try and work it out. After all, you probably weren't the easiest child to rear.

Read more about the complexities of the mother relationship at Salon's "Mother's Day and the messages that don't fit on the cards".

But this Sunday why not get sentimental about mum? Of course you're going to buy her something. At the very least you'll send her an e-card. Or get the kids to make something to warm her heart.

If you are going to shop online, get going now to allow time for delivery. To find the perfect Mother's Day gift, I focused only on New Zealand sites - especially those with some sort of promotion of the big day.

Flowers


You can say a lot with flowers. In America, the pink carnation is the symbol for Mother's Day. But I reckon you can't go wrong with roses. At NZ Flower's website you can get "a delightful box of roses decorated with greenery" in the rose colour of your choice for $29.95. You could add a box of Calvin Klein "Eternity" perfume miniatures for $12.95 if you think you need something else. The site says it can do deliveries on Sunday May 13th within Auckland, which adds $10 to the price.

The blooms at Bloomsbury Florists are fine too - such as the dozen "multitude of vibrant floral colours" for $78. Delivery in Auckland and on Mother's Day is $8 extra. Roses are Red also has some stunning bouquets, and is taking orders for Auckland until midday on Mother's Day.

Aromatherapy


Smelly things to pamper are always popular. At Soul Essentials you can "give your mum a relaxing evening" with luxurious bath products.

The kitsch Gold Heart box ($16.20) has bath fizzies and pearls containing pure essential oils of lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang and patchouli, plus some hand-made chocolates - presumably to eat while she relaxes in luxury. Orders are posted free of charge.

Or there's the Bathroom Pink Body Pamper Pack ($33.50) at Netgifts - more soapy things but this time with rosegeranium essential oils. All gifts are delivered by New Zealand Couriers and the site has an online track and trace facility so you can check that your gift arrives on time.

Delivery rates start at $5.50 in Auckland.

You can go one better at NZ Vouchers - and buy vouchers in $50 lots for Spa de Serville - where mum will "discover a world designed to rejuvenate mind, body and spirit."

The only problem is the site doesn't tell you how far $50 will go. Not far I suspect if you want mum to have an aqua massage, body wrap and facial.

Chocolate


Again, you can't really go wrong with this choice. Splash out on Champagne & Chocolates ($100) at Whitakers. It includes a bottle of Deutz, handmade truffles from Devonport Chocolates, fudge and chocolates from Mary Gray, rich chocolate dessert sauce, and fresh strawberries and/or grapes. Definitely. Delivery throughout New Zealand is free and same day for orders before 4 pm but excludes Sundays.

Real chocoholics will be satisfied at de Spa. The 12-piece truffles, including brandy, whisky, champagne, rum and Tia Maria, are $16.00.

Orders are processed within one working day and deliveries can be expected within 3 to 5 working days at $5 an order.

The more risque might try giving Chocolate Body Paint - in a tin with a paint brush in double chocolate flavour from the Chocolate Fish Company ($16.95). Perhaps not.

All together


You can cover all the bases at Sendabasket. The Bouquet in a Basket with Toiletries ($75.00) includes a posy of flowers, Jan Mark body lotion and shower gel, aromatherapy bath soap and a box of Royal Belgian chocolates with a delivery charge of $10.00

Books


Flying Pig is offering $4.95 delivery anywhere in New Zealand. But I'd look around the site because the Mother's Day book selection looks dreadful. Although I was intrigued by Chewing The Cud - Tales From a Dairy Farming Housewife ($19.95). Unfortunately, like many of the books on this site, it had no online review. Then there was Dear Mum ($17.95) - "a delightful book, which gives, through wonderfully entertaining and cute animal photos and thoughtful, heart-warming text, the incredible truth about Motherhood! A 'thank-you'." Pass the sick bag.

Getting her away from it all


With all this cheap travel about, why not book a weekend somewhere to really celebrate the day? Some great domestic fares are on the websites of Air New Zealand, Qantas and Freedom Air. Go on, you know she deserves it.

Links:


Salon Mothers day

Blue Mountain e-cards

Kids Domain Mother's Day crafts

Billy Bear's Mothers Day page

NZ Flower

Bloomsbury Florists

Roses are Red

Soul Essentials

Net Gifts

NZ Vouchers

Whitakers

de Spa

Chocolate Body Paint

Sendabasket

Flying Pig

Air New Zealand

Qantas

Freedom Air