Although we can’t celebrate Mother’s Day like we usually would this year – your mum still deserves to be spoiled! And with a little bit of help from the New Forest, you will make them feel like the most important person in the world… 

You can still purchase the perfect gift for your mum from local New Forest retailers who are still operating their shops online! Whether it’s something they can wear, a special keepsake or a tasty treat, there are lots of options for wonderful presents that you can buy online. Bags, shoes, clothes, jewellery, skincare products, make up, fudge, gin, cider and even personalised gifts, you can get it all, and all while supporting New Forest businesses.

How about buying a gift voucher for your mother? Make her feel extra special this Mother’s Day by giving her something to look forward to in the future! There’s a huge selection of gift vouchers that you can purchase from local New Forest businesses. Whether she would love an afternoon tea or relaxing spa day, or maybe she’d prefer a voucher for an adventurous day out kayaking or paddleboarding, you can buy gift vouchers for all sorts of fun in the New Forest. If your mum loves dogs, then why not buy her a ticket for Dogstival which is planned for the weekend of 5 and 6 June (subject to the Government’s roadmap plans). You can also purchase gift vouchers for overnight stays, lunches, dinners and loads of other brilliant days out. Most businesses offer e-vouchers, so you can simply email them their present!

You could even book a special surprise for your mum, with a future celebration in the New Forest! Treat her to an overnight break or a mindful spa day, or book a table in advance for a delicious afternoon tea or 3-course dinner for when our businesses are able to re-open again. Book tickets for a day out at a local attraction together, such as our beautiful gardens, or a mother and daughter or son horse ride through the New Forest.

If you and your mother both live in the New Forest, you could head out on a socially-distanced walk together through the stunning wildlife and nature of our wonderful National Park, and spend some quality time together this Mother’s Day, even if it’s from 2 meters + apart! The beautiful Furzey Gardens are open this weekend to people visiting from the local area - plus they have tasty Mother's Day takeaway treat boxes available from the tea room (online booking for visiting is required - buy your tickets online).

We’ve also got some great ideas of how to spend Mother’s Day if you’re lucky enough to live with your mum, or if she’s in your lockdown bubble…

Get together a scrumptious afternoon tea or at-home picnic made from locally produced food and drink from the New Forest! We’ve got so many local producers across the New Forest where you can buy sandwiches, sausage rolls, sweet treats, drinks and more, to make up the perfect Mother’s Day tea!

Or treat her to a tasty takeaway – lots of New Forest restaurants and pubs are offering amazing takeaway dishes that you can enjoy together at home, including Italian, Indian, Thai and pub favourites – you can even order Sunday Roasts, with all the trimmings.

Take a look at our recipes blogs, full of summery dishes and some more warming dishes, shared by our top restaurants, hotels and pubs in the New Forest, that you can re-create and serve for a lovely lunch or dinner around the table at home with your mum and the rest of your household.

With the host of ideas above, it’s really easy to make your mum feel extra-loved this Mother’s Day!