The time of year is here to show the Mothers just how much they mean to us. So whether you're keeping things traditional with flowers and afternoon tea - always a charm - taking advantage of some of the Mother's Day offers or fancy shaking it up a little this time, we got you.
1. Gift shopping
Chocolates: synonymous with decadence and luxury, they’re an absolute Mother’s Day staple. For something a little different this year, pick up some of Melange Chocolate’s artisanal creations, or for the true chocolate lover, a voucher for one of their workshops or tastings. Based in Peckham.
Jewellery: Let your mum know she’s a real treasure with a piece of from one of South London’s independent jewellers. For a more traditional take, pick up a piece from the Walsh Brothers in Beckenham, or for something a little unusual head to Sam Ubhi’s carefully curated collection from around the world displayed in her award winning jewellry boutique on Bedford Hill (Balham).
Fashion: Both Blackbird Boutique in Blackheath and Nunhead’s Alkemi have a gorgeous selection of tastefully handpicked clothes for fashion-forward gifts.
2. Mother's Day Styling
Book your mum in for a blowout or styling session at one of South London’s many talented independent hairdressers. Use your South London Club discount at any of the salons below and she’ll be feeling a million dollars in no time.
Deptford: Lily & Jack’s
Forest Hill: Dahlia Hair and Beauty (ask for the Mother’s Day offer to get a glass of prosecco and some John Masters testers to take home)
Morden: Sacha Lejeune
Putney: Chez Stephan
West Norwood: Pop
3. Massage
Nova Clinic and Spa, Greenwich offer a variety of massages, including Deep Tissue and Aromatherapy. Treat your mum to an hour or two of total bliss amid Nova's luxurious and professional atmosphere.
Bird and Budgie (Battersea) and Skyn Deep (Blackheath) both offer deeply de-stressing massage therapies in the comfort of your (or your mum’s) own home. Bird and Budgie also offer a range of facials and beauty procedures - bliss!
For a therapeutic treatment tailored specifically to your Mum’s needs, Brixton Therapy Centre offers a range of options - from acupuncture to shiatsu, you can be sure she’ll be taken care of.
4. Learning
Bermondsey: Invest in something enriching this Mother’s day, like a language course at Languages 2000. They offer a range of European languages, so whether it’s brushing up on her French after a long break or learning something completely new, it’s a great gift that’s a little outside the box.
Brixton: Alternatively, Slaughterhaus print studio offer sessions in monoprinting, etching or Japanese woodblock run by expert instructors, a great place to experiment and to meet new and like-minded people.
Deptford: London Art Classes offer a relaxed and nurturing environment to get the creative juices flowing under the attentive tuition of professional artist Nick Malone. It’s hungry work, so enjoy a lunch of bread, cheese and wine with the rest of the group while you’re at it.
5. Photography
Or why not create something unforgettable with one of South London’s fantastic independent photographers? Whether it's arranging a photoshoot that puts your mum centre-stage or snapping her a sweet surprise of some little ones, our selection of professional photographers will help you get a shot that’s just right.
Greenwich: Cate Castleton for a playful take on precious moments with precious people.
Beckenham: Cathy Myers for a candid and intimate record of the ones you love.
Lewisham: Stories by Sarah for a natural feel that tells a story.
Get your prints or anything else framed up at The Framing Room (Peckham) or at Gallery Seventeen (Beckenham).
6. Get hands-on
Greenwich: For the Mamas out there that wanna get stuck in, book the pair of you onto one of the Greenwich Pantry's artisanal cookery classes. From sushi making to bread baking they've got something for everyone - and what better way to spend some quality time together?
Brixton: Pure Goodness' Mother’s Day Workshop is offering you and your Mum the chance to blend your own natural moisturiser, plus you’ll finish just in time for lunch at one of Brixton’s fab independent food spots.
Peckham: Another one for the foodies: get booked onto one of Pastifico Mansi’s fresh pasta-making lessons and prepare to be seriously impressed by what you cook up.
Waterloo: This year celebrate the woman who raised you along with global womanhood at WOW Festival, held this weekend at the Southbank Centre. There is a huge variety of free installations, talks and workshops, as well as the WOW market - inspiration guaranteed!
7. Get Active
South London has such a huge range of exercise classes and studios to choose from, so whether it’s a drop-in for you and your Mum to enjoy together, or a class pack for her to really get stuck in, there’s plenty on offer:
Forest Hill: Studio One specialises in yoga and pilates and also offers parent and baby classes for Mums of all stages and ages!
Woolwich: Yourstyle Fitness aim to keep exercise varied and exciting, and to that end they have a huge amount of choice on their program: from zumba to bootcamp and barre, get over there and have a laugh with your Ma.
Brockley: As the name suggests, Fitness for Mummies is designed specifically with Mums in mind, and are a great way to feel fit and healthy after having a baby, as well as to meet other Mums in your local area.
8. Brunch
Collier’s Wood: have a gossip over a plate of waffles or a crepe and a glass of bubbly at the Belgian Brasserie’s prosecco brunch this Sunday.
Hither Green and Crofton Park: Arlo + Moe is perfect for a low-key coffee and a catch up.
Honor Oak: Two Spoons have got a great menu of brekkie staples, think eggs benedict and homemade granola, plus plenty of fresh coffee.
Brown and Green: with locations in Crystal Palace, Gipsy Hill and Sydenham, Brown and Green are serving up your brunchtime favourites, all over South, with a Middle Eastern twist thrown in here and there. Bubbles available.
Peckham: nothing says luxury like Tupi’s bottomless brunch, featuring mimosas, bellinis and bloody marys it’s bound to be popular, so get booked up!
9. Lunch
Gipsy Hill: Manuel’s is serving up a special three-course set menu this Mother’s Day in their bright and elegant dining room, highlights include a lobster and crab ravioli, and the prosciutto with melon - bellissima!
Kennington: The Duchy Arms are also offering a Mother’s Day set with a complimentary glass of bubbles. The perfect choice for a more traditional sunday roast.
Streatham: settle down to a pub lunch in the Manor Arms’ beautiful dining room this Sunday and they’ll give your Mum a glass on them, what a treat.
10. Afternoon Tea
It's tradition for a reason: a good afternoon tea is hard to beat. You're spoilt for choice down South so go on - spoil her!
Camberwell: The Pigeon Hole Cafe are offering a great selection of teas and homemade cakes to enjoy in their peaceful little dining room this Mother’s Day.
Greenwich: Named London's best value afternoon tea by the Daily Telegraph, Greenwich Fan Museum's is laid out in their ornately muralled orangery and overlooks a secret Japanese garden. An enchanting environment in which to wile away a couple of hours this Mother's Day.
Catford: Truly Splendid Vintage Tea Rooms are putting on an indulgent spread featuring miniature patisserie, finger sandwiches and a glass of rose lemonade on arrival, it’s an intimate affair so if you fancy being there, make sure you book here.
Eltham: Kick it up a notch and enjoy a decadent afternoon at Eltham Lodge, overlooking 110 acres of beautiful parkland golf course. Tuck into sumptuous cream teas and sandwiches, with the option to add a glass of champagne or take a tour of the house.
11. Dinner
Croydon: Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to sample the wares over at Karnavar. They’re offering a special three course sharing menu that shows off their innovative and luxurious take on traditional Indian cuisine, with complementary bubbles for Mum, naturally.
Lee: Luciano’s is a warm and authentic space in which to enjoy fresh pasta, stonebaked pizza and plenty of their impressive selection of wine - enjoy!
Deptford: For a taste of something a little more lively, try Buster Mantis - a small, family-run Jamaican hotspot whose menu changes regularly based on what’s happening seasonally and locally. Expect great music and be sure to try one of their signature rum cocktails.
New Cross: enjoy rustic, organic fare by candle-light in The Rosemary’s wooden dining room while sipping Hungarian wine and listening to Hungarian folk music.
12. Wine
Looking for a gift for a wine enthusiast? Look no further than the experts at BOB Wines with locations in Tulse Hill, Sydenham, Crystal Palace who can help you pick out something extra special.
Putney: Glug Wines are a specialist shop that offer tastings and have a pop-up bar on Friday and Saturday, so whether you’re picking out a gift or ringing in Mother’s Day a little early this year, this one’s for you.
Streatham Wine House: run by an eclectic trio of wine enthusiasts, the Wine House is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass or two with your Mum over a plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie.
The South London Wine school aim to teach you a little more about variety and flavour with less 'wine talk'. They offer vouchers at a different price points and their Spectacular Saturday: champagne, lunch and plenty of wine held the day before Mother's Day still has some spaces left, so snap them up over on their website.
13. Cocktails
Brixton: The Shrub and Shutter have put a lot of thought and care into their individually crafted cocktails - see for example the Autopilot, tequila based and served with a DIY paper airplane kit. A creative selection of cocktails with some delicious nibbles on offer too.
Forest Hill: For the gin aficionado, look no further than the Forest Hill Gin Club, with over 50 different gins on offer and an extensive selections of garnishes to compliment each on perfectly.
Honor Oak: With an impressive selection of cocktails that includes both the classics and the more adventurous, Two Spoons are also gin-buffs, with a wide selection and the tonics to match.
14. Sunday Lunch with the family
Make it a family affair and get everyone together over for a special meal. Pop into one of our many independent purveyors of quality foods for the best of the best.
Deptford: Wellbeloved Butchers have been serving the Deptford community for over 200 years, and are committed to responsibly sourcing quality meat at reasonable prices.
Lewisham: Pick up the very finest ingredients for your Mother’s Day spread at Gennaro Deli. Stocking every kind of pasta you can think of, proper Italian tomatoes and luscious olive oil.
Streatham: For a sophisticated seafood soiree, look no further than Fish Tale in Streatham, with free local delivery and an incredible selection of sustainably caught fresh fish.
15. Host a Tea Party at Home
Lewisham: Impress with a colourful banquet of French patisserie from Delight House Café.
With locations in Herne Hill, Vauxhall, Kennington, Mimosa offer impressive bespoke menus of desserts and cakes, including macarons, fresh fruit tarts and cheese boards.
Walworth: Head to The Indulgent Sugar Plum for the ultimate decadent centre piece, their ambitious, over-top-designs are the perfect thing to mark a special occasion.
16. Flowers
A quarter of all flowers bought throughout the year are purchased on Mother's Day, so when all else fails, nothing says 'Happy Mother's Day' like a beautiful bouquet. Whether it’s for a fresh take on the traditional, or for something a little more eclectic and fun, we’ve got a pretty bunch of options for ya.
Greenwich: Flower Hut
Deptford: Forest
Brockley: Lydia Florist
Bromley: Wells Flowers (Bromley)
Earlsfield: Through the Vape Vine
Nunhead: A.G. Flowers
Multiple studies have shown that giving flowers produces a lasting sense of emotional wellbeing for both the giver and the receiver and that just being around them promotes long-term happiness - because Mums are forever, not just for Mother's Day.