Mother’s Day 2021 is right around the corner and there are so many beautiful gift options with companies stepping up their game. There has never been a more important time to #ShopLocal and support small business in Canada. Check out Dr. Laughlin and Sara’s gift ideas for some fun inspiration.

By: Sara Dudley, CEO of The Sunscreen Company ™ and Dr. Sharyn Laughlin, Dermatologist and Co-Founder of The Sunscreen Company™

My mom and I came up with the idea of scouring the internet for fun gift ideas this year for Mother’s Day 2021. I personally love researching the perfect gift for people. I feel like if I didn’t do what I do now with my work at The Sunscreen Company ™, I would be a gift concierge. My number # 1 tip for finding the perfect gift, get the person what they want for themselves, not what you want for them. What do I mean by that? So often we gift people things that we think will make them happy based on our own assumptions. Think someone is stressed and needs a day at the spa but maybe they don’t find the peace and quiet relaxing. Think someone has way too much jewellery and could not possibly need any thing else. Maybe they love getting it as a keepsake and it does not matter how much they might wear it (looking at you Husband). So in short, think about the person, in this case your mom, and the things that bring them joy and have some fun shopping while supporting your local businesses. With that in mind, we’d be remiss not to mention our own Mother’s Day picks on our Shop section of our website. Our Ava Isa collection especially makes the perfect gift of beauty and SPF protection that is inspired by a mother’s love for her daughter.

Dr. Laughlin’s Top 3 Picks

My youngest daughter recently gifted me a virtual Air B and B experience where we did an online tasting of olive oil with this very handsome and knowledgeable olive farmer in Croatia. Not only did we get to see his beautiful property, and day dream about the day we could visit in person, my daughter thoughtfully sent ahead a selection of olive oils to use during the tasting. I learned a lot about how to shop for olive oil and it was lovely having an activity to connect with my family over Zoom. There are tons of options and it’s a great way of safely getting together this year. Why not find a wine tasting and send ahead some bubbly from a local winery like this Winery in the Niagara region? Or send some chocolate and do a chocolate tasting.

My girls also gifted my husband this year something that he has become transfixed with and is great for any grand parent who hasn’t gotten to see their grandkids for a while. It’s also perfect if you always feel like you are missing out on pictures on Facebook and Instagram. The Aura Frame allows a group of people based on whom you invite to add pictures to a digital frame. You get a constant stream of new pictures and you get to see fun little snapshots into your kids and family’s life. My husband can stand in front of our frame all day and look at all the new pictures as they come up and it eases the feelings of missing all of our kids and grandkids.

I’ve also been loving audiobooks and an Audible subscription is a great way to get fresh content. Especially as you get older, I’ve been loving getting access to fun reads but not having to worry about the print being too small. Sara also gave me a Master Class subscription this year that I’ve also been loving- I’ve learned all about sleep, negotiations, meditation and more. I feel like you should never stop learning and I’ve loved hearing from people who are considered world class in their fields.

Sara’s Top 3 Picks

If you have any new mothers on your list then an absolute cry worthy gift is this book called You Made Me a Mother. There won’t be a dry eye in the house. Not only is it a nice reminder for the new mom about all they have accomplished but it creates a keepsake that they can keep forever and make memories of reading to their baby all through their childhood. I have yet to make it through to the last page without my voice cracking, much to my daughter’s amusement.

I personally love something luxurious that makes you feel a little special and these robes from San Francisco based Kim+Ono are the most beautiful I’ve gotten to see and touch. I had a chance to visit the store in person in China town in downtown San Francisco and I wanted to buy them all. They have ones at all different price points but I’ve been eyeing the hand painted washable silk versions.

My third pick is this amazing Canadian company called Bathorium that has become my bath time staple. It has transformed my bath time ritual and has allowed me to reclaim it from kids bath toys and being splashed in the face. It makes the whole bathroom smell like a spa and my personal favourite is the Eucalyptus Apothecary Crush. Australian pink clay, eucalyptus and epsom salts make for a dreamy pink frothy bath that pairs perfectly with your favourite glass of rosé and solitude. Don’t forget the solitude.

So there you have it! Some fun out of the box ideas for your mom. Let us know what your favourites are in the comments below!