For many of us, our mums are our bestest friends in the whole world. They have been there through thick and thin, loved us, nurtured us, and supported us when we needed it the most.
A mum always has time to lend a listening ear, and offer up plenty of words of advice.
Plus, they give the best hugs.
If you are wanting to create a memorable day to show your mum how much you love and appreciate her, here are five thoughtful ways to ensure she feels the love on her big day on Sunday, May 9.
Pull out the picnic rug and bask in the beauty of Ipswich’s many parks
Picnics are a great way to get all the extended family together to celebrate the special women in your life. Whether you are celebrating your own mum, mother-in-law or grandma, a number of Ipswich parks offer lots of green space for everyone to gather and catch up. Luckily, Ipswich is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful areas to unroll the picnic rug.
Queens Park right in the centre of town has lots to offer families, including rolling green spaces to unpack the picnic basket on, a big playground for kids to run around in before and after lunch, the spectacular Nerima Gardens to take a leisurely stroll in, as well as lots of cute and furry animals to meet in the Ipswich Nature Centre.
If you would much prefer to buy lunch rather than pack it yourself, the Queens Park Café will be offering up a special Mother’s Day breakfast and lunch menu. Breakfast will be served between 8am-11.45am, with an extensive menu of 10 options to choose from, including pancakes, eggs benedict and the Queens Park signature breakfast (two eggs, two rashers of bacon, tomato, sausage, hash brown, mushroom, spinach, with sour dough bread). Lunch will be available from 12-3pm and features burgers, salads, salt and pepper calamari, steak and mushy green pie and a house-made frittata, just to name a few. There will also be plenty of coffee, thick shakes and frappes to make your meal more enjoyable. Bookings are essential. Phone 3281 5167.
In addition, the sprawling parklands at Robelle Domain Parkland, the river views at Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve, and the inner-city vibes of Bob Gamble Park at Riverheart Parklands are also fantastic spots to enjoy a day in the sunshine.
Buy her something special and unique at one of the many boutique stores
Take your mum on a tour of the many trendy boutique shopping stores in Ipswich’s Top of Town Precinct and let her choose her own gift. With lots of shops to visit, there will be something for every mum.
Let her try on some new heels at Obsession Shoes Boutique, try on new outfits at Oh! JoJo Boutique, pick out some old furniture from The Vintage Advantage, stock up on craft supplies from Arttime Supplies, choose a new hobby at CJ Vogler and Son, or enjoy a massage at Ipswich Massage and Herbal Spa.
All that shopping is sure to make you hungry, so why not stop by Rafter and Rose for one of their signature coffees, a classic American diner-style milkshake from The Retro Diner, or munch on a specially prepare high tea at Fourthchild Café Restaurant and Lounge Bar. The high tea costs $38.50 per person and includes a Thai chicken spring roll, sandwiches, a leek pikelet, a scone and three Petit Fors (macaron, banoffee pie and profiterole). It also comes with your choice of house bubbles, white or red wine, coffee, tea or juice. There will be two seating times – 10.30am and 12.30pm. Bookings and payment are required before Friday, May 7.
Let mum unleash her creativity at an art workshop
Why not treat your mum and her besties to a fun night of letting their creativity flow with one of the many workshops held by Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia. There are plenty of events to choose from, many of which can be done a few days before or after Mother’s Day, stretching out the celebration.
Mum could choose to make her own resin cheeseboard, make a resin topped air plant and crystal terrarium, or learn to sip ‘n’ paint her own jellyfish masterpiece on canvas.
Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia also have a special Mother’s Day event at The Coffee Club Orion Springfield, which includes two classes and a three-course dinner.
Watch a Hollywood blockbuster on the big screen
Sitting back with a big bowl of popcorn to watch a movie is always a popular choice for families when spending time together. Instead of trawling through the endless possibilities on Netflix, which could take an hour for everyone to decide on a film, why not hit Limelight cinema.
The Tivoli Drive-in will be screening a double movie feature on Saturday, May 8, which could score you extra brownie points with mum for turning Mother’s Day into a whole weekend affair. The family-friendly animation Spies in Disguise will start off the evening, followed by the Golden Globe award winning movie Nomadland.
Enjoy a special meal together
Create a fuss free day without having to cook and wash up the dirty dishes by taking your mum out for a night on the town.
Many popular restaurants across Ipswich have created special menus in honour of Mother’s Day, allowing you to spoil mum with her favourite dish, or giving her the opportunity to try something new.
Head down to these participating restaurants:
Memories of India have created a special lunch and dinner menu for guests on Mother’s Day. For $45 per person, you can enjoy an entrée and main meal, as well as a complimentary glass of wine for the special lady in your life. The entrees list includes grilled tandoori salmon, stuffed golgappa with mint chutney and tamarind sauce, and bourbon chicken tikka. The main meal menu consists of butter chicken, prawn methi malai, Bombay lamb masala, saffron rice, mix naan bread, and a sweet treat. The restaurant will be open for lunch between 11.30-2.30pm, and open for dinner from 5-9pm. To reserve your table, phone 3418 3369.
Indian Mehfil have also created a Mother’s Day banquet which includes a free gift for every mother dining in for either lunch or dinner.
Brothers Leagues Club will be hosting a hot buffet breakfast, as well as a special lunch and dinner menu.
The Cottage Restaurant will be providing a four-course degustation meal with a glass of bubbles for $79.
Club Services Ipswich will also be starting off Mother’s Day with a buffet breakfast, as well as gifts for mum, raffles and lucky door prizes.
The Soul Nook Collective will be hosting a Magical Moments evening for mums. For $130, you can treat your mum to a night out, which includes a workshop hosted in conjunction with Sip ‘n’ Dip Australia, as well as a fancy dinner box, live music and more.
Watercress Creek Olive and Lime Farm will be hosting a picnic on May 9. It will be a day of tasty food and good old fashioned country hospitality. The picnic boxes will be prepacked for you, so all you need to do is unroll the picnic blanket and enjoy the sunshine. Bookings are essential.
Bakehouse Steakhouse will once again do their Mother’s Day hampers, including everything you need to make mum a gorgeous breakfast and a cheeky drink, and a steak hamper for lunch or dinner, available from 11am.
The Workshops Rail Museum is offering picnic hampers to enjoy on the grounds. There’s a morning tea hamper available at 10am with freshly baked scones, mini cupcakes, fruit, poppers, coffee/ tea and water. The lunch hamper at 12 noon includes Turkish bread with salad and cold meats, sandwiches, fruit, vanilla profiteroles, juice, tea/coffee and water, while the afternoon tea hamper at 2pm has a grazing board with cheese, deli meats, bread sticks, crackers and fruit as well as sweet cookies, juice, coffee/ tea and water. You can also order mum a glass of wine with the hamper. Book your hampers by calling 3432 5100 before May 6, more information here.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our mums. I hope you all have a lovely day!
