Make it a special Mother’s Day with this guide to some thoughtful gifts to find in Canberra and Queanbeyan.

“WHEN you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”

That quote from famous actress Sophia Loren couldn’t be more true, but there is one day of the year to give some extra love back to mums.

Whether it’s giving her some beautiful flowers, taking her out to dinner or enjoying a show together, make it a special day with this guide to Mother’s Day gifts.

Sandy has plenty of charming gifts

CHARLIE & Chums’ owner Sandy Borgo says there’s plenty of charming odds and ends in-store that mum will love this Mother’s Day. 

“We have a ‘Lisa Pollock’ range with some lovely items like aprons, tea towels and pot holders,” says Sandy.

“There’s also the ‘Imagine Ellie’ range, with beautifully created designs for the smart woman and personalised messages mum will love.

“If mum likes some wine, ‘Grass on the Glass’ has a selection of four coasters and a bag to go on the picnic, as well as throws that cover the food so flies don’t get on it.”

Having just moved into a new and bigger store across from Target in Tuggeranong Southpoint, Sandy says it’s just the start of an expanded range to discover, with more items coming soon.

“We’ve got some special jewellery and bangles with nice engraved messages to help lift women up,” she says.

“There’s slippers, warmies, we’ve got mugs with your favourite dog on it, all sorts of things.”

Charlie & Chums, Tuggeranong Southpoint, across from Target. Call 0402 097580 or visit charlieandchums.com.au

Traditional Indian cuisine with a ‘modern twist’

THIS Mother’s Day, Blu Ginger Indian Restaurant will cook for mum with the same love and care as she would for her family, says owner Reddy Manne.

“Blu Ginger consistently uses the age-old recipes with a modern twist,” he says.

“The restaurant covers all regions of ethnic India. All meals are cooked fresh with local and imported ingredients and all spices are ground in store.”

First established in 2000, Reddy says the restaurant has become renowned in Canberra for its butter chicken, jahingiri and shahi gosht, among other choices.

“We serve gluten-free meals and accommodate any dietary requirements,” he says.

“Blu Ginger caters fresh made to order with affordable prices.”

Blu Ginger Indian Restaurant, 2/5-21 Genge Street, Civic. Call 6247 2228 or visit bluginger.com.au

Blossoms and gifts for mum

ANIA Hancock, owner of Blossoms of Canberra has always loved “dabbling with flowers.”

In 2010, she studied floristry at CIT, and has also worked at the Canberra Hospital florist.

And for Mother’s Day, she’s looking forward to helping people convey messages of love and thanks.

“Make sure you spoil your mum, and show her you love her with flowers and gifts.”

While her store is filled with flowers for any occasion, she also has ‘Animal Blossoms’, which are “adorable, animal-shaped ceramic pots,” to put flowers inside.

You can choose from a rabbit, snail, turtle or echidna.

“We also have Pot Buddies, little Beatrix Potter characters such as Peter Rabbit and Squirrel Nutkin who hang or sit on flower pots.

“They’re handmade and hand-painted, and it makes for a wonderful and decorative garden ornament.”

Tania says she likes the thought of making people happy with her products, “and making a difference in someone’s life.”

Blossoms of Canberra, Erindale Shopping Centre. Call 6231 0822 or visit blossomsofcanberra.com.au

Olivia has a passion for pampering

OLIVIA Robinson, owner of The Glowing Complexions in Weetangera, offers “a range of advanced skin treatments and all your other beauty needs”.

There’s options for brow design, body waxing, lash lifts, brow lamination, eyelash extensions, teeth whitening, tooth gems, fibroblast skin tightening and bb-glow.

“With seven years in the beauty industry we are sure to give you the best advice and service to suit your needs,” says Olivia.

“For Mother’s Day we will be running a giveaway with over $600 worth of prizes. For any appointment booked between now and May 6, you will go in the draw to win a customised pack including Organic Spa Skincare, Inika make-up, an Esthemax Hydrojelly take home kit and a $150 voucher to use on any service.

Olivia says she has always loved being able to give people the self confidence they deserve.

“The slightest change can make someone feel and look their best, giving them a chance to relax and unwind from busy lives.”

The Glowing Complexions, 3/16 Weetangera Place, Weetangera. Call 0401 164 421, email hello@theglowingcomplexions.com or visit theglowingcomplexions.com

‘Priscilla’ promises a fun night out

THE Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre’s (The Q) acting marketing officer Joel Horwood says the upcoming season of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” comes with a surprise.

“Priscilla” will run from April 26 to May 22 and will feature a special edition 2021 pinot gris from Contentious Character for guests to enjoy.

“It displays hints of melon on the nose and lemon flavours that perfectly match Tick, Adam and Bernadette’s zest and sassiness,” says Joel.

“Experiences are better when they’re shared. And who better to share the experience of laughter and joy with than your mum.”

For the chance to win a free double pass to one of the shows, Joel says people can find the Mother’s Day post on The Q’s Facebook or Instagram pages and tag mum. Entries close May 5, with winners announced on May 6.

Also coming up at The Q is “Bach to Bolling” (May 5), a “refreshing mix of the noble and lyrical side of the cello mixed with boogie-woogie, ragtime and some Bachian counterpoint.”

Other choices include an INXS Tribute Show on May 7, comedian Jimeoin  on May 20 and “21 Forster Street” from May 26 to June 4, a show traversing different time periods from the 1860s to the present day, and the true story of a heritage home in Bungendore.

The Q, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6285 6290, email boxoffice@qprc.nsw.gov.au or visit theq.net.au

Plenty of gifts that say, ’thank you’

“BEING a mum is the hardest job in the world, but it’s the best job in the world,’’ says manager of South Pacific Hemp Sue Booth.

“At South Pacific Hemp we have plenty of gifts to say ‘thank you, mum’, from a collection of hemp foods and hemp seed oils to gorgeous balms and skin creams, babycare, homewares, bags and accessories, fabrics, pet products and more.”

Opened in March last year, Sue says the store is Canberra’s first all-hemp shop and includes a range of specially designed clothing that mum will love.

“Our clothing is designed for wearability and versatility, is breathable, natural and easy to care for,” she says.

“Hemp protects your skin by naturally filtering UV light. It also resists bacterial growth and breathes excellently, preventing odours, has four times the strength of cotton and it won’t weaken when washed.”

Sue says the dedicated team welcomes anyone to come and ask about the range of products.

“There’s tea towels, totes, sponges and cookie cutters and for the body, there’s shampoos, oils, bath salts and divine creams and much more,” she says.

South Pacific Hemp, 84 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 0431 318898, visit southpacifichemp.com.au or email sthpacifichemp@gmail.com

Curtain up on a ‘lingering’ play

THIS May, audiences can take mum to experience “Three Tall Women” at the Australian Capital Theatre Hub, a show that’s been described as a “pearl-handled dagger of a play” and the debut of one of Canberra’s newest theatre companies.

Considered famous playwright Edward Albee’s most “autobiographical play”, “Three Tall Women’’ is the story of a sophisticated, flawed and complex woman as she looks back at her extraordinary life. 

A portrait of Albee’s tempestuous relationship with his adoptive mother, the key role is played at different stages of the character’s life by three of Canberra’s most celebrated actresses – Natasha Vickery, Lainie Hart and Karen Vickery.

“I am absolutely thrilled to bring together this extraordinary team to realise Albee’s ‘Three Tall Women’,” says artistic director of Chaika Theatre Karen Vickery.

“Our powerhouse female creative and production team comprises three NIDA graduates, a WAAPA graduate, and an alumnus of the renowned training at 16th Street. 

“And then there’s Anna who is an Academy Award-nominated costume designer… and all residents of Canberra! It really is a dream team.”

Directed by Sophie Benassi, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play is described as one that will “linger long in the senses”.

“Three Tall Women” at the ACT Hub, 14 Spinifex Street, Kingston. May 4-21. Tickets from acthub.com.au or call 6210 8748.

Canberra’s ‘most exclusive’ high tea

CELEBRATE mum this Mother’s Day with Canberra’s most exclusive high tea at Hotel Realm, says Doma Hotels’ director of food and beverage Thomas Craigie.

“Treat her to a buffet of finely made French cakes and tarts, delicate savouries and traditional scones, accompanied with TWG fine teas and freshly brewed coffee,” he says.

“There’ll be poached prawn and lime sandwiches, baby gem hearts, roast vegetable quiche, Tasmanian smoked salmon sandwiches, cucumber, cream cheese and dill chicken, tarragon and celery wraps.

“Sweets include chocolate opera cake, walnut cake, raspberry opera cake, assorted macarons, lemon and meringue tart and chocolate tart.”

Thomas says guests will have the choice between a $95 Traditional Buffet High Tea with complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival or a $145 Free-Flowing Champagne High Tea.

Children aged three and under are free, and tickets for kids aged four to nine are discounted to $50.

Gluten-free options will also be available.

Mother’s Day High Tea at the Hotel Realm Ballroom, 18 National Circuit, Barton, Sunday, May 8, 11am and 2.30pm. Call 6163 1888 or visit hotelrealm.com.au

Suzy promises lots of pampering

SUZY Mooney, owner of About Face Beauty & Anti Aging Salon, is offering a “massage and facial pamper package”, for Mother’s Day.

“It is an hour and a half facial, and an hour-long massage,” she says.

“Mothers deserve to be spoiled on Mother’s Day, they deserve to have a treatment that they never get to have for themselves.”

Suzy says she enjoys making people look and feel their best, and has been working in the beauty industry for 23 years.

About Face Beauty & Anti Aging Salon offer facial treatments, LED light therapy, cosmetic tattooing, manicures and pedicures and eyelash and eyebrow treatments.

And, she offers gift vouchers, so mum can book in for herself for specific services, and at a time that best suits her.

About Face Beauty & Anti Aging Salon, 310 Anketell Street, Tuggeranong Square, Greenway. Call 0488 932883 or visit aboutfacetuggeranong.com.au