Koktail Korner: Your Go-To Guide for Keeping Mum Happy and Impressed This Mother’s Day 2026

Koktail Korner: Your Go-To Guide for Keeping Mum Happy and Impressed This Mother’s Day 2026

From a new perfume and handmade jewellery to a spa day and a plant that actually survives, here are nine Mother’s Day gifts worth giving her this 12 August.

Mother’s Day is 12 August, which means the annual question is back: what do you buy for the woman who has probably everything she needs?

Flowers are nice, breakfast in bed is sweet and another box of chocolates may be pushing it. This year, go for something with a little more personality. Whether your mum likes jewellery, wellness, homeware, plants or simply being left alone for a few hours, these eight gifts offer something beyond the usual bouquet.

Give Her a Reason to Slow Down: Le Labo SHIU 25

Some mums want another handbag. Others want five minutes of peace. For the latter, Le Labo’s new SHIU 25 makes a strong case for perfume as a form of downtime.

The latest addition to the brand’s City Exclusive collection is inspired by Beijing and the quiet spaces of traditional craftsmanship. The scent centres on shiu, also known as the ho tree, with iris and olibanum adding a softer layer over warm woods.

Discovery sizes are available from 1 August, giving her a chance to try the fragrance before committing to the full size, which arrives from 1 September. It is a thoughtful choice for a mum who likes her fragrance soft, floral and fresh and her personal space uninterrupted.

If She Deserves Some Sparkle: Pandora Essence of Summer

Jewellery is a Mother’s Day classic, but that does not mean it has to look predictable.

Pandora’s Essence of Summer collection takes its cue from summer rain, with pieces in sterling silver and 14k gold plating. Rings, bangles, hoop earrings and pendants come in organic shapes designed to work alone or together, so she can keep things simple or build her own combination.

For a mum who likes a little more colour, Pandora’s Moments collection brings in ocean-inspired charms, enamel and Murano glass, while Pandora Timeless puts a brighter spin on classic tennis jewellery with shades including watermelon red, lemon yellow and mint.

In other words, there is plenty here beyond the safe little heart pendant.

Forget the Bouquet. Give Her Something She Can Keep: 1000.malai

Flowers disappear. A beautiful keepsake does not.

Thai brand 1000.malai brings flowers together with handcrafted accessories in its limited Mother’s Day 2026 collection. The pieces vary across the line, with some pairing satin scarves and silk tassels with fresh flowers, while others turn decorative keychains, brooches and hair accessories into keepsakes that sit somewhere between a bouquet and a small piece of art.

The 2026 line-up includes Silk Pearl, Morning Glory, Mustard Dynasty, Wine Orchid and Amber Joy, with options featuring fresh, artificial or dried floral elements.

The point is simple: give her flowers, but give her something to remember them by too.

For the Mum Who Has Her Own Aesthetic: Sunnies Flask

If your mum has ever complained that everyone else has the same water bottle, this one is for her.

Sunnies Flask, from Philippine lifestyle brand Sunnies, lets you customise its colourful bottles by mixing different components. The brand’s first Thai flagship at Dusit Central Park goes beyond drinkware, bringing together sunglasses, beauty products, lifestyle goods and a café in one space.

It is less about buying mum a practical bottle and more about letting her choose one that actually represents her. Consider it the grown-up version of picking your favourite colour.

Make Tea Time the Main Event: Chawan

For the mum who thinks tea should be treated as a ritual, a handmade chawan is a gift with some character.

Chawan by TeaBar offers handcrafted matcha bowls made in Chiang Mai, drawing on the simple, imperfect beauty associated with Japanese tea culture. Each piece has its own handmade qualities, making it feel less like something pulled from a mass-produced shelf and more like an object chosen specifically for her.

Pair it with good matcha and clear the kitchen table. Mum has just got her own little tea ceremony without booking a flight to Kyoto.

Give Her Something That Grows: Plantneedyou

A plant says “I love you.” A plant that comes with a card and a bow says “I planned ahead.”

Plantneedyou offers plants as gifts for special occasions, with options for same day delivery in Bangkok and EMS delivery across Thailand. The service can also include a handwritten card and gift wrapping, while made-to-order arrangements can be requested in advance. For Mother’s Day, the store also has different types of plants chosen with meanings for mum, making it easy to pick one that says a little more than just “I got you a plant”.

If mum has a particular plant in mind, do not wait too long. Varieties come and go, so the one she loves may not stick around for long. Many are also relatively easy to care for, which is useful if mum’s gardening skills stop at remembering to water things occasionally.

The best part? Unlike cut flowers, this one can stick around.

For the Mum Who Is Always on the Move: On

Some mums are happiest with a spa day. Others would rather put on their trainers and head out. For the latter, On makes a practical gift that still looks good enough for everyday wear.

The Swiss sportswear brand is known for its CloudTec® cushioning, a system designed to absorb impact and provide support as you move. Its current range covers everything from running and training to hiking, tennis and lifestyle shoes, so there is more to choose from than a pair made purely for the track.

For everyday wear, the Cloud 6 is one option, designed for all day use with CloudTec® comfort, while the Cloud 6 Coast is made for travel with a lightweight, packable design. For mums who take their running seriously, there are also dedicated performance shoes designed for road running and longer distances.

It is the kind of gift that says, “Keep moving, mum” without actually telling her to exercise.

Take Mum Out of the House: PAÑPURI WELLNESS at Park Hyatt Bangkok

Sometimes the best present is simply giving mum permission to do absolutely nothing.

PAÑPURI WELLNESS at Park Hyatt Bangkok offers a dedicated spa space on the hotel’s 11th floor, with treatment rooms including double suites and a range of massage and wellness experiences. There are also e-vouchers and different treatment packages, making it possible to give her the experience without guessing exactly which treatment she wants.

At 472 square metres, the wellness space is designed as a place to disconnect from the city for a while. Book a treatment, put the phone away and let someone else worry about the schedule for once.

This is the gift for mums who say they do not need anything but very clearly need a break.

For the Mum Who Likes Her Home With a Little Personality: Marimekko Homeware

Some mums like their homes calm. Others believe there is no such thing as too much colour. If mum falls into the second group, Marimekko homeware is a good place to look.

The Finnish design house is known for its unique prints and colourful take on everyday living, with an archive of more than 3,500 prints created over the years. Its home collection brings that same spirit to pieces designed to add a little more character to everyday spaces.

The latest collections continue to play with flowers, nature, colour and Marimekko’s signature print language. One highlight is the Kukasta Kukkaan print by Finnish designer Erja Hirvi, a floral design inspired by bees moving between flowers. The print features across both fashion and home pieces as part of the Pre-Fall 2026 collection.

For Mother’s Day, skip the predictable vase and choose a piece of homeware she will actually want to leave on display.

The trick is not finding the most expensive gift. It is finding the one that feels like her.

And yes, you can still bring flowers.

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