If there’s one thing that quarantine has taught me, it’s that time isn’t real. Days pass by too quickly without me knowing, or too slowly, with me aware of every second I spend sweating and trying to refill my tumbler with ice that won’t melt as fast as the last one.
If you’re like me, living on what seems like an infinite time loop alá “Groundhog Day,” here’s a newsflash: Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday. And oh snap, we can’t just run out and buy a quick gift for mom since going outside is basically illegal now, right?
But thank God for whoever invented delivery. There are a lot of food establishments that are offering delivery or pick-up services right now so you can get a last-minute gift if you need to. (Remember, though, to not be callous about making deliveries during this time and to practice social distancing and proper hygiene with your delivery person!). Cookies and cakes are the pastries that come to mind and many cake shops accept customized cake orders with a short lead time, just in case your mom has a sweet tooth that you want to indulge.
You can also try your hand at arts and crafts and make her a thoughtful gift card, booklet, painting or if you wanna take it digitally—a cute video of her and your pictures together.
Still, Mother’s Day can sometimes feel incomplete without a material gift that your mom can look on fondly for years to come. Whether you already had something in mind or you’re just trying to wrack your brains, I’m here to give you some ideas on what items would make great gifts for the quarantine edition of Mother’s Day. And you don’t have to worry, these items are easily available —they’re up for delivery at The SM Store’s Call to Deliver service—so you don’t have to worry about dealing with less-than-trustworthy sellers.
Ladies shorts set (P549.75)
As much as everyone loves their outside clothes, quarantine has made everyone realize that house clothes that are comfortable and breathable are true essentials. Get your mom this houseware set that screams casual chic—hey, just because you’re inside the house doesn’t mean you can’t jazz it up.
Air revitalizer (P499.75)
Staying inside can be suffocating and, considering the heat, can be too much for someone to relax. Give your mom a breath of fresh air—literally! It might also be a good gift to help out with the household chores, but I’m gonna leave that decision to you.
Muffin pan (P279.75)
Baking is quarantine activity number one. If you’re not baking, are you even quarantining? This gift, along with other baking essentials you can find in The SM Store, can go two ways: Use the muffin pan yourself and give your best batch to mom or ask her to join you as you figure out the highs and lows of baking. Remember, if all else fails you can always use the muffin pans to make huge ice cubes to cool you off.
Headphones (P599.75)
Peace and quiet is not something that you can always get when you’re stuck at home with family members who are on Zoom meetings, working out or binge-watching the latest season of a Korean drama. These headphones are a much-needed gift for when your mom just wants to have a moment of quiet, be it listening to relaxing music on loop or listening to her favorite mom-spirational podcast. These headphones are also great for when she has to block out everyone in the family calling her and asking her help with something…honestly, where would we be without our moms?
Mist fan (P399.75)
Sometimes households impose a no-aircon-until-sleeping-time rule. I get it. This has been a staple rule in our household since time immemorial. But this heat can sometimes be impossible. Make it easier for your mom (and come to think of it, everyone else in the house) by giving her a mist fan. It’s portable so she can bring it wherever she goes. She can even pair it up with other electric fans so she gets cooler faster. Just a word of caution: Don’t even think about getting her mad because a mist fan is not guaranteed to cool her down.
Tea plunger (P349.75)
If your mom is getting kinda tired of the coffee you stocked up on two months ago when ECQ started, why not try making her a cup of tea with a tea plunger. Tea has less caffeine and more health benefits, depending on the kind of tea you serve. You can also have fun with your tea by mixing and matching milk, honey, sugar, cinnamon and more. Experiment with the flavors that your mom likes so you can give her something unique and unexpected.
Insulated tumbler (P299, sold separately)
We all need this, but your mom, who’s probably been talking in countless video con meetings and is feeling the summer heat because she can’t turn the electric fan on or she’d risk breaking the eardrums of her co-workers, needs this the most. An insulated tumbler in itself is a great gift, whether you’re in quarantine or not. Let your mom know the importance of getting and staying hydrated (if you can’t convince her, introduce her to Mimiyuuuh and her catchphrase) and remind her that sometimes, all you really need to power through the day is a big, cold gulp of refreshing water.
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Art by Tricia Guevara
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