No offence to bath bombs and body butter... But if you’re about to buy your mom another scented candle this year, we’re here to help you out. Mother's Day falls on Sunday, 11 May 2025 and this year, we asked real moms what they actually want for Mother’s Day... and built a guide around that. Some fun, some effortless, and a few dream gifts worth saving up for (if not this year, then next). Whether you're shopping for your partner, your mom, your best friend - or yourself - consider this your shortcut to stress-free, last-minute gift genius. 1. The Gift of Relaxation A luxe day off from motherhood, book her a spa treatment: Cape Town: Babylonstoren Spa Joburg: Saxon Spa Durban: Oyster Box Hotel Wellness & Spa 2. The Personalised Keepsake Something that keeps her little ones close, even when they're not in her arms. Famke's handcrafted initial necklaces, made with love in Cape Town. Choose her children's initials in sterling silver, gold vermeil, or solid gold, and create a piece unique to her. 3. The Me-Time Reset Gift her time for herself with sessions at her favourite workout studio Cape Town & Joburg: Breathe Barre Joburg: Nuru House Durban: Kaya Shala Yoga 4. It's-On-Me Coffee Because some days, parenting is just a series of hot sips between cold chaos. Treat her to a never-ending cup of delicious Plato Coffee, with a gift card to one of their 85 stores countrywide. 5. The Wellbeing Moment If she's craving more zen, and stepping away from tension and stress, book her a package of sauna sessions: Cape Town: Labrisa Spa at the Mount Nelson & HotHuts Mobile Saunas Johannesburg: Four Seasons Spa at the Westcliff Durban: Mangwanani Spa Zimbali 6. The Gift of No Decisions  The ultimate luxury? Not being asked what's for lunch or dinner. Sign her up for a week of pre-prepped meals from: Babylonstoren - Meal Solutions UCook - Dinner Made Easy Frozen For You - Restaurant Quality Ready Made Meals 7. The Week Long Parisian Shopping Trip She Dreams of For the ultimate girls' getaway, Condé Nast Traveller's 28 Best Places to Shop in Paris is your go-to guide. From vintage gems in Le Marais to luxury flagships on Rue Saint-Honoré, and charming boutiques in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this curated list offers something for every style and budget. Whether you're shopping for yourself, your mom, or your mother-in-law, it's the perfect itinerary to make those Parisian dreams come true. 8. A Trip She Doesn’t Have to Plan A surprise lunch with her girl friends - booked, paid for and kid-free. Joburg: Saint Cape Town: Clara’s Barn at Vergenoegd Durban: The Ocean Terrace at The Oyster Box 9. A Retreat Away from it All  Something to centre her outside of being a mom, and reconnect with herself. Whether it's a local weekend away or a full international break away, nothing says you deserve to take up your own space quite like a yoga retreat. Yoga, Breathwork & Silent Retreats near Cape Town: Bodhi Khaya Yoga & Wellness Retreats in Knysna: Vala House  Wellness Retreats in Thailand: Kamalaya Koh Samui Yoga Retreats in Portugal: Six Senses Douro Valley Found something with her name all over it? Send this gift guide to someone who could use the nudge (your partner, your kids, or the family group chat). It’s the helpful hint they didn’t know they needed - and a chance to give mom something better than “just another candle.”

As the family store that grows with you, we’re proud to launch our new website - built to help modern parents cut through the noise and shop smarter.  We bring you the world’s best baby, kids, and parenting essentials - handpicked, tested, and trusted by real families like yours. Our new online space is easier to browse, faster to navigate, and thoughtfully organised by how you actually live. No fluff. Just clever design that makes parenting simpler. “We built Sprout for parents like us - time-poor, design-conscious, and drowning in too many tabs. The new site is clean, intuitive, and purposefully curated so you can find what works without the scroll fatigue.” - Mike, Co-Founder So, what's new? Smarter Shopping, Less Guesswork:  our lifestyle-led categories (FEED, SOOTHE, STYLE, PLAY, HOME, ROUTINE, WELL-BEING) are designed around your daily moments, not retail trends. Explore our curated collections Parent-Approved Essentials:  From newborn must-haves to big-kid upgrades, we’ve done the work to bring the best together. Find the perfect gift Brands That Get It:  We partner with award-winning, design-forward, family-owned global brands that share our values. Meet the brands that made the cut The Sprout Selection Standard:  Every product is scored, tested, and filtered through real parent feedback before it hits our shelves. No hype. Just high standards.  View Our Collection Trust parents, to tell parents. We don’t just trust algorithms—we trust you. Every product we select is influenced by real parent experiences, feedback, and lived moments. “Sprout isn’t about selling more - it’s about selling better. We obsess over quality, design, and function because we know what matters when you're in the thick of it. With our new site, finding the right essentials feels less like a chore and more like a win.” - Olivier, Co-Founder If you made it here, we're happy to welcome you.  Have fun exploring our new site, and come back soon for exciting products and a brand new brand launching very soon. And if you need help, we’re just a message away. Get in touch Written by Jacqui Mills.

I’ve never really celebrated Valentine’s Day—it always felt too commercial to me. I believe love should be celebrated naturally, not just because the calendar tells us to. Since becoming a mom, love has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s the purest form of love—showing up every day, even when you feel like you have nothing left to give. And that love constantly evolves—from the warmth of chubby little arms around your neck to the pride of cheering on your teens. These days, being truly present feels harder than ever. Technology has a way of pulling us away from the moments that matter most. We scroll through emails while half-listening to bedtime stories, reply to messages during dinner, or get caught up in endless to-do lists. While the world focuses on romantic love this Valentine’s Day, I see it as a chance to honour the unconditional love that comes with being a parent—the kind that thrives in undistracted moments when we truly show up. The Power of 'Love-Bombing' Many years ago, a close friend introduced me to the concept of ‘love bombing.’ “A what?” I asked, expecting something entirely different. But as she explained, I grew curious. The idea came from psychologist Oliver James. Knowing she would never recommend something unworthy; I ordered a copy and was hooked. James explains that Love Bombing helps reset emotional connections, giving children a sense of security and control, strengthening the parent-child bond. Simply put, it’s about giving your child an intensive experience of feeling loved and in control. For a few minutes a day, or even a weekend, they set the agenda. It’s simple: Let them pick the game, really listen to their stories or have a movie night with popcorn (mine still love this). We often feel pressured to show love by buying things. But what kids remember most are the small moments when they feel seen. Bedtime Bonding By bedtime, most parents are wiped out (I’ve definitely picked the shortest book some nights). Even though my tween has outgrown his My Little Morphée, he still gravitates toward small bedtime rituals—and honestly, I secretly enjoy it too. It’s a simple way to unwind together, especially on nights when I’m too tired to read. So, whether you go all out for Valentine’s Day or prefer to skip the fuss, let it be an excuse to just be there. To love them. To cherish the moments that money can’t buy.  Written by Jacqui Mills