The fool-proof guide to getting Mother's Day spot on

Choosing a gift for Mother’s Day is a doddle with Carol O’Callaghan’s smart guide — no matter what the budget there’s something to suit all pockets, from cheery candles to watches with wow

IT’S the time of year to make a specific point of honouring the woman who fed and minded you, kissed your scabby knees better, and now is probably your child minder, homework supervisor, personal shopper and confidant.

Maybe we shouldn’t leave it until 30th March to say thank you, but as the day has been designated, let’s not overlook it. And bear in mind it’s not just the mammy who reared you who should be remembered. There may be another maternal figure in your life to whom thanks and honour are due: granny, auntie, godmother, foster mother, even a family friend whose loving kindness enveloped you at some point in your life.

With Christmas and St Valentine’s Day just behind us, coming up with gift ideas can be a challenge, especially if your wallet is a little compromised. But if you don’t want to stress the finances, there are plenty of affordable gifts, especially if you also want to purchase something extra for the children to give to granny.

For ideas, consider choosing gifts by personality. Is your mother figure sporty, a gardening enthusiast, a regular producer of delicious baking, or a workaholic?

You can start at under €5 with something like a candle, especially scented versions to dispel cooking smells and to freshen up rooms now we’re in the season of spring cleaning and decluttering. While you’re pushing your trolley around the supermarket this weekend, check out Lidl’s Simply Glamorous lightly scented candle in a presentation box (€3.99).

Chocolates won’t be rejected either. Butler’s lilac be-ribboned box of milk chocolate truffles will set you back just €5, while Lily O’Brien is offering that perfect combination of chocolate and orange in their Zesty pouch, (€3.49).

For the Irish granny who always has a cup of tea on the go, Bewley’s Irish breakfast tea comes in a tin (€3.55), which can be reused. If you have a little more budget to spend, add a tin of Bewley’s shortbread for dunking, (€9.99).

For mammies or mammy substitutes who have to have a beverage in the car while negotiating the school run, try a sunny, floral non-spill coffee mug from Penneys (€3).

And for the sweet toothed lady who enjoys a cake with her favourite beverage, pop into Cupcake Cottage on Anglesea Street for a yummy little cake in her favourite flavour, (€2.20 each).

With a little more spend available, €15 or less will buy you The Gardener’s Journal filled with reminders of what needs to be done in the garden on a monthly basis, (€8.50 at M&S). It even leaves you with enough money left over to indulge in a couple of those delicious cupcakes.

Maybe her gardening tools are a little worn out, so a pretty floral painted hand fork and shovel might be welcomed, (€12 at Dunnes Stores).

Sporty ladies who love a round of golf will always welcome a set of balls. Elvery’s has a box of 15 Wilson Ultra Ultimate Distance golf balls for €10.

Poke a little fun at the workaholic mum and give her the I Love Spreadsheets or I Love My Computer mugs for her home office, (€8.59 at Debenhams).

Born again bakers who have been captivated by the queen of cakes herself, Mary Berry, can now imitate her perfect sponges and crack-free Swiss rolls with Mary Berry Cakes or Mary Berry Simple Cakes, (from €11.75 at Eason's). Her recipes are no-nonsense and tried and tested over decades.

Edging the budget higher again but staying under €25 will give you plenty of choice, so for the mammy whose post-Christmas keep-fit campaign has become a way of life, the Fitness Mad Warrior yoga mat is slim, and rolls compactly to fit into a sports bag or to live in the boot of the car when not in use, (€20 at Maher’s Sports).

Since staying-in and cooking for friends became fashionable, family recipes are suddenly treasured and being revived. Why not archive generations of kitchen secrets and keep your favourite recipe for granny’s Sunday roast or auntie’s sticky toffee pudding? The Family Cookbook has 80 pages with a template to write down the required ingredients and method with room for photos, (€25 at Designist).

Modern mothers who can’t budge without their iPad or tablet will need a cover to keep it safe from harm. Dispense with practical plain colours and opt for something fun like the embroidered and appliqué versions from Carrig Donn which look more like pretty purses than sensible covers (€19.95).

For the lady who loves new table wares and especially the vogue for coloured glass, the Etagere two-tiered cake stand (below) will off-set a lovely selection of cakes, (€14.50 at Pavilion Garden Centre).

Knitting has become so fashionable since Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted on set needling one plain, one purl, and then all the Hollywood set were at it. So, unless your mum was put off knitting for life at school, check out Blarney Woollen Mills One Ball Wonder knitting kit, (€24). It consists of wool and needles and comes in a choice of colours with each yarn having a lovely knobbly feel so if your stitches are less than perfection, no one will notice.

WITH A LOT OF LOVE AND A DEAL OF DOSH

What if budget considerations were no consideration at all, would you indulge your maternal figure in a steel and rose gold Tag Hauer Aquaracer watch for the queenly sum of €3,610, just because she’s worth it? (from Keane’s Jewellers).

Or at a less breathtaking price there’s a little piece of technology in the Samsung Galaxy tablet 3.0, 7”. Compact enough for carrying in the average handbag, its slim construction should allow it to slot in neatly between the make-up bag and baby wipes (current sale price €169.99 at Soundstore).

And for the lady who can’t start her day without a strong coffee, AEG’s red espresso maker is on sale for €99 from Dwyer’s and uses pods from Italian brand Lavazza for authentic barista style coffee.

For the mother who can’t fit a trip to the gym into her busy day, treat her to the Flex™ wristband which will track all her physical activity day and night while she wears it (€99 at Harvey Norman, below).

Yes, indeed, bending down to the washing machine and stretching to the clothes line is exercise.