With less than two weeks to go, are you fretting over how to celebrate Mother’s Day with a bang? No worries, because we’ve rounded up seven events located islandwide that you can easily partake in with your mother. From watercolour painting classes to an afternoon of nostalgic tunes at the Esplanade, these activities are a chance for you to create new memories while bonding and reconnecting with your mum. Find out what they are here:
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Mothers toil endlessly, and they deserve a little pampering and TLC in the form of a relaxing day of onsen soaking and massage at the Yunomori Onsen & Spa located in Kallang Leisure Park. Each day pass costs S$40.66 for adults and S$29.96 for seniors above the age of 65 and it allows you to soak unlimited times in any of the five female baths. We recommend taking the soda bath as the water contains high levels of carbon dioxide that is said to improve circulation, reduce blood pressure and detoxify the body, before refreshing yourself in the cold bath. To make the experience even more delightful, treat your mother to a massage that costs upwards of S$68. For more information, go here.
More than just a comforting, hearty meal, a bowl of porridge is probably a dish we all grew up eating, especially when we were ill as a child. To celebrate that memory, Mui Kee Congee has created a special set menu, comprising a drink, its signature fish belly congee and a choice of sides from options such as century eggs with pickled ginger and fried dough fritters or fried wantons — just for Mother’s Day weekend. Priced at $18.90++ per person, this set will definitely satiate your tastebuds while bringing you and mum down memory lane. Best of all, she doesn’t need to slave over the stove. Available 9 to 12 May.
Ever felt the satisfaction of creating a beautiful artwork with your very own two hands? Well, with the guided watercolour painting lessons at the Visual Arts Centre (VAC), you can. From now till June 30, VAC is running a promotion just for Mother’s Day, where eight sessions of watercolour painting will cost you $348 (if you book after the end of May, it will be $368; U.P. $460 for 10 sessions) and will be split equally between you and your mother (that is, you’d get four sessions each).
All you need to bring to the class is your imagination and creativity as materials will be provided. Other than basic foundational techniques, you’ll also learn colour blending and layering. If mum takes to these sessions, you can even transfer your sessions over to her as an extra treat. For more information and booking, go here.
Touting to be more than just a walk in the park, forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is suitable even if you’re not a nature lover. Through slow walks through nature, forest bathing is said to improve one’s immunity, clear the mind, and lower stress and blood pressure levels, making it a great way for your stressed out mother (and don’t forget yourself) to take a break, breathe in crisp, fresh air, and reconnect with herself. The event will be conducted by Xiu Nature Connections at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on 11 May and a pair of tickets will cost $110 via their website.
Not only does a cup of flower tea smell great, these calming teas come with a host of health and wellness benefits. Singapore tea brand Pétale Tea will be hosting a workshop on 12 May at the Suntec City Convention Centre where it will teach you how to make your own blend of floral infusions from ingredients such as marigold (reduce cramps and promotes optimal blood circulation), jasmine (antibacterial) and gomphrena (detoxifying and anti-ageing). Pétale Tea is known for its hand sewn blooming tea balls. Tickets cost $37.61 via its website and each participant will walk away with a $10 cash voucher.
We’ve already waxed lyrically about the benefits of sound healing — it uses sound as a healing method to reduce stress levels and calm the mind while revitalising and rejuvenating the body. Dedicate Mother’s Day as a day to unwind and destress, all while bonding with your mother, over a session of sound bathing by Harmonic Space. Held at One Heart Wellness Centre at 37 Tembeling Road on 11 May, the one-day event will be led by yoga instructor and sound healer Jasmine as she uses sound therapy to soothe you and centre your body’s balance. Tickets costs $20 per person and you can get more information and register your interest at Harmonic Space’s website.
If you’re like me, you probably grew up listening to old Chinese tunes from singers such as Teresa Teng as your parents played them over the sound system. Treat your mother and reminisce over the good ol’ days with a special Mother’s Day concert held at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 12 May. Local getai artiste Lee Peifen will host the night, while singers Anddi Goh, Jessie Yeong and Coco Xian will be performing classic Chinese hits and nostalgic tunes from yesteryear by Zhou Xuan, Teresa Teng, Qing Shan and more. Mum will be so thrilled. Head over to Esplanade’s website for ticketing information.
Besides the main island Pulau Ujong, Singapore has 62 other islands that you can readily and easily explore. While not all islands such as Pulau Tekong and the Jurong Island are open to exploration, there are plenty of other options for you and your mother or mother friends to explore at a leisurely pace. You can go cycling in Coney Island off Punggol or look at marine wildlife in Chek Jawa before tucking into a meal at a kampong in Pulau Ubin. Else, you could pay respect at the Chinese Da Bo Gong Temple in Kusu Island or head to the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park to look at how Singapore’s marine biodiversity is being preserved at the turtle hatchery. It’ll be a great day out; plus you get to bond. Go here for more information.
Learn from Mummy Soh, as she is affectionately known, on how to cook traditional recipes from farm to table. Located in her house at Telok Kurau, the cooking class titled One Kind House will involve Mummy Soh teaching you how to identify and pluck herbs and spices from her own garden, as well as how to cook dishes such as chicken curry, fish with kedondong pesto and blue pea flower rice. You can book your slot via Airbnb Experiences and it costs S$99 per person. But if you and your mother don’t want to get your hands dirty, you can simply dine at her house and tuck into dishes such as duck egg kaya toast and fish laksa.
All mums love pretty things, which is why we think these artisanal handcrafted bath and body treats from local brand Mandy T will thrill her, not to mention keep her fresh, healthy and radiant. Created by Mandy Leena Tan, the products are chemical-free and made with natural ingredients. In fact, they are made from 100 per cent plant-based alternatives and many of them house Mandy’s favourite flowers and fruits such as lavender and chamomile flowers, lemon, orange, coconut and more.
The brand also believes in being sustainable, using only eco-friendly, recyclable glass containers — so mum can feel good and look good while playing a part in saving the environment. Get mum one of their premium gift sets (S$180) that comprises a body scrub, bath salt, body cream and soap in a pretty gift box with gift card. You get complimentary delivery for online orders above S$50.
Mum’s favourite vintage tunes will sound even better when playing on these adorable retro radios inspired by the radio sets of the 1960s. The brainchild of its founder Zeng Dejun, the Muzen OTR is capable of FM radio tuning and is a compact and portable piece (it’s just palm-size) which makes it easy for mum to bring it along with her anywhere — so she’s never short of entertainment while cooking in the kitchen or drifting off into slumberland in the evenings in bed.
The sets are simply gorgeous and well-designed, and we love the stylish leather padded carrying case as well as the accompanying accessories such as a leather carrying strap and a sticker set. Don’t estimate its size as well — the sound quality is rich and warm. And don’t worry if mum is tech-savvy — the sets are all integrated with modern functions such as Bluetooth and device connectivity, so they serve as a portable speaker as well. Choose from colours such as the Flamingo Pink, Mint Green, Lavender Purple and Crimson Red for the metal version (S$139), or the rugged Walnut Duffle for the wood version (S$129). Available at retailers such as Popular Bookstore at Northpoint City and Nex, Tangs, NBC Stationery and Gifts at Raffles City and Jem and Robinsons.
Mommas will appreciate a roomy bag that can house everything from wet wipes and tissue papers to a brolly, hand sanitiser and novel, on top of her wallet, card holder, keys and phone. Whew — you don’t call her a superhero for nothing! Even better when it’s a chic straw handbag that can add style points to her overall ensemble. This gorgeous piece (S$198) from Brooks Brothers’ Red Fleece collection gives off a breezy nautical vibe, and comes with leather straps, a black stripe lining and a clip-in zip-top pouch that matches the lining, which mum will surely appreciate.
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If you’re time-strapped but still want to pamper your mum, how about a pretty gift box with all her favourite things? Customise a box at local brand Vine & Twigs by dropping them a note here with your ideas, colour preferences, number of items, deadline and budget, as well as who the gift is meant for. They will get back to you within a week with lists of products and pictures of the gift idea. You can work with them on it until you’re happy with the final curation.
They can also add a written note to the set and make sure the custom made pine wooden box is prettily wrapped with a bow before sending it out to mum. They also have a selection of pre-curated boxes of various themes, such as Golden, Rest & Relaxation, Wine & Cheese and Rose & Orchid, in their shop, if you think these are suitable. But we say go for a custom one — mum will love the thought put into it.
Photo: @vineandtwigs/Instagram
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Text: Ho Guo Xiong / Additional Reporting: Elizabeth Liew