One week to go until Mother’s Day – consider this your reminder! As if we need a reminder though with flowers and cards spilling from the shops, and offers and discounts flooding my email on a daily basis, basically since Valentine’s Day was over.

Women are getting seriously highlighted this month aren’t they, International Women’s Day at the start of March and Mother’s Day at the end. Do you know what really annoys me though, that handful of people on Facebook who go for the anti-approach. ‘I don’t need one day to show my mam how much she means….’ – course you don’t, but celebrate the day anyway because why wouldn’t you? Go the extra mile, your mum would for you! Or my personal favourite, ‘Sick of seeing all these mothers day posts on Facebook…‘ – it’s nice to see positive things on my feed for a change so naff off!

With that brief rant over, here’s some of the offers and Mother’s Day goings on that have landed in my inbox this past week in case you aren’t yet prepared. I’m a big believer that experiences are often better than gifts, so that’s what most of these are. A lot of them last longer than just the one day though, many span the whole of March and into the start of April, as places are obviously very popular on Mother’s Day and you might struggle to get booked in for the 26th now.

Mother’s Day Sunday Dinners

The Grand – Tynemouth.

Sunday dinner in the restaurant at the Grand is always good and a firm favourite with my mum, my nana back in her prime, and everyone I know who goes. A lovely spot right on the sea front and so close to Tynemouth for a cocktail or two afterwards if you fancy. It is so popular you need to book up before you even know you want to go there, especially for occasions like Mother’s Day. I personally like the pub, Copperfields too for a slightly less formal Sunday Dinner that doesn’t require a reservation.

Malmaison

I love the Malmaison in Newcastle, it’s one of my favourites and Viv is a big fan too for its spot right on the quayside by the Millennium Bridge. The buskers singing outside are great, so you could get there early and grab a coffee from Starbucks while you walk along the quayside market, before Sunday dinner in the Mal restaurant. The last time I ate there they had these amazing green beans with feta mixed in as a side dish. Sunday lunch for Mother’s Day is £29.95pp with a gift and glass of champers for your mum.

Browns

Browns are offering a set menu for Mother’s Day, two course for £19.95 and three courses for £23.95, with a glass of champagne for your mum. Brown’s isn’t a place I go to with my friends, aside from the odd pre drink, however I find it a good place through the day to go with Viv. We went for afternoon tea last year and it was very good, followed by cocktails listening to the piano player. If you can’t get in on Mother’s Day it’s a good shout for another day.

Cocktails at Browns, Newcastle

Jesmond Dene House

Jesmond Dene House did have an offer on for Mother’s Day but it is now fully booked up. On any other day though, the food and afternoon tea are great for a mother/daughter/son get together in a really lovely setting. There’s three rooms to choose from and they offer it on weekdays too. If you’re disappointed to miss out on treating your mum to a visit here, they do offer vouchers so you could buy one for Mother’s Day but go another time, and take a walk through Jesmond Dene afterwards.

Jesmond Dene – photo by Vickie Walsh

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea

Always a favourite with Viv, and probably your mum too. Ive already got a post on my favourite’s in Newcastle and nearby, but there are some offers about specifically for Mother’s Day too.

Six at the Baltic – Classic Afternoon Tea £16.96, Champagne Afternoon Tea £24.95

The Vermont – Mothering Sunday Floral Afternoon Tea. Basically this is afternoon tea with a flower show mixed in, with florist Vicky Laffey demonstrating flower arranging while you sip on a hibiscus flower cocktail. Tickets aren’t cheap though, at £50 each. If this fancy affair isn’t for you I do really recommend the normal afternoon tea on another day, my mum really enjoyed it when we went.

Wynyard Hall – Wynyard have a few things on for Mother’s Day including afternoon tea, as well as Sunday Dinner’s and a flower and heart masterclass.

Walwick Hall – I’ve not been here yet but I’ve heard good things. Nige and Viv stayed there last week on a midweek offer and said it was beautiful. They have a Mother’s Day afternoon tea offer on from 13th – 26th March at £30 for two.

Spa Days

Spa days are one of my favourite things to do with Viv, they’re so relaxing and she always feels really special which is the whole point isn’t it. This month we went to Headlam Hall again when my sister was home for a bit from America.

There’s obviously loads of options around Newcastle for spas – Malmaison, the Village, Slaley Hall, Seaham Hall, Ramside, Doxford…

For somewhere extra special you can’t beat Rockliffe Hall especially the spa garden.

Mother’s Day at Fenwicks

Mums love Fenwicks. Mine does anyway, and I have to say I’m a big fan myself, especially the food hall and make up hall, and its even better now they finally have a website. Browsing it this morning I discovered they have loads going on for Mother’s Day and the lead up to it.

Obviously there’s the obvious cards and gifts available, as well as the extensive perfume counters, and all the best make up brands. Then there’s the food hall which is like my heaven, full of little treats and gifts, as well as the option to eat in. They also have some individual events timed for Mother’s Day – like a Molton Brown Patisserie Parlour Event!

Mother’s Day Cards

When it comes to cards especially up here people always whinge that they can’t find one that suits, especially if you have some unusual name you refer to your mum by. Fenwick’s and a few other local independent stores/concessions do of course sell the ‘Mam’ Geordie style, but how about this year going a bit more personal? Take a look at Laura Jayne Designs, she’s available to bring your exact wishes to life in the form of your own personal Mother’s Day card.

There are obviously a lot more events and Mother’s Day offers floating about, but I’ve only mentioned the ones I would personally go for in my situation. I even saw one this week for a beer tasting session. I mean, if that’s what you like then great, it’s just not for me and I can’t see Viv chugging back beer any time soon!

If you have kids and need some child friendly ideas, sorry I’m fresh out of those, but take a look at North East Family Fun or Nomipalony family blog, both full of ideas for anytime, not just Mother’s Day.

For a very lovely gift guide, here’s one that Laura of Elle Blonde put together.

If all else fails, who doesn’t love Spring flowers?

Whatever you plan and get up to next weekend hope you all have a lovely Mother’s Day.