Cheap But Meaningful Mother’s Day Ideas, Plus a Few Worthy Splurges

Great ways to make her day special

Mother’s Day – on Sunday 12 May –  falls on one of the worst weekends. Smack in the middle of the month, too far from both your last and next pay day.

If you’re one of the many who can’t (or will forget to) budget for it, let’s ease some of that stress. We’ve found the most “cost effective” (read cheap) but fun things to do with mom this Mother’s Day.

LEARN HOW CHOCOLATE MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER
Do It If: No matter what else she gets, a box of chocolate always lights her up
One Ingredient is an interactive cooking class/dinner party run by Matt Manning, Head Chef at Grub & Vine.
At this event, Manning teaches attendees to cook various dishes using one star ingredient. The star for the month of May, just in time for Mother’s Day, is chocolate. Attendees will observe Manning doing his thing with this ingredient, then pair into groups and try for themselves. They get to enjoy what they’ve made, then have dessert prepared by Manning and his crew. All dishes will be made with Afrikoa chocolate and paired with Lorzan wines.
The first class is on 10 May 2019 at the Chef’s Studio. There are only 20 spots available so move fast and book here.
Cost: R650 (includes five course menu, welcome drink and wine pairing with each course)

The Chef’s Studio | 103 Bree street | +27 (0)76 256 8654 | events@mattmanningchef.com

TAKE MOM TO PET (OR RATHER NOT) BIG CATS
Do It If: Mom watches TV with the cat in her lap
Ever thought you’d see a lion and tiger in the same place? Well you will at Vredenheim’s Big Cats Park. Plus they have other animals like pigs, goats, deer and sheep among others.
For Mother’s Day they’re offering 50% off on tickets to the Animal Farm and Big Cats Park, plus while you’re there you can get her one of Vredenheim’s signature wines or take her for a meal at Hudson’s Restaurant or Barrique Restaurant.
Cost: R25 (Animal Farm, mom gets 50% discount), R70 (Big Cat Park, Mom get’s 50% off)

Vredenheim Farm | Baden Powell Drive | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)60 387 5593 | carli@vredenheimanimalfarm.co.za

GET HER PAMPERED AT THE SPA
Do It If: You’re always telling her to relax
Get mom a spa pamper session with the special German Wellness Journey from Njalo Njalo. The package includes pulsing, a rhythmic movement based form of therapy to increase your body’s awareness. You also get Dr Jucheim cosmetic products and a dinner buffet, but you need to book fast as space is limited.
Cost: R2222

34 Vredefort | Touws River | +27 (0)87 550 0724 | info@njalosafari.com

FIND OUT WHY DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER WITH SHIMANSKI
Do It If: Mom’s wedding ring costs more than her car
Did you know that you can go on a special experience at one of the country’s most premium diamond houses? And it’s free, including wine and coffee? Book the Shimanski Diamond Experience – an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how they cut, clean and polish precious stones – online here and help mom understand how rough bits of hard rocks become a girl’s best friend.
Cost: Free

Level 1 | Clock Tower | Waterfront | +27 (0)21 421 2488 | diamondtour@shimansky.com

SEE JOHN KANI’S LATEST PLAY
Do It If: Mom knows Sarafina but doesn’t know Whoopi Goldberg was in it
The Fugard is staging the latest play by legendary actor, activist and playwright John Kani. Kunene and the King is a moving two-man comedy starring Kani and South Africa-based British actor Sir Antony Sher. It’s a collaboration between the Fugard Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, having its world premiere at the latter’s Swan Theatre. If mom is a pensioner she gets a 15% discount on the ticket price.
Cost: R190–R340 (before discount)

Caledon Street (Off Buitenkant Street) | District 6 | 021 461 4554 | info@thefugard.com

SHARE A LAUGH AT THE COMEDY CLUB
Do It If: Mom always borrows your Trevor Noah DVD, has a taste for tequila or capacity for a pint (or two)
Mother’s Day is on a Sunday, the Cape Town Comedy Club is half price on a Sunday, the math is simple. Bring her in for a laugh, R18 tequila or R50 pint of the in-house, Jou Ma Se Brew, beer. You can expect Carvin H Goldstone (Durban), Stuart Taylor, Glen Bo (Durban) and Waylene Beukes (Namibia) to be her entertainment on the night.
Cost: R60pp

The Pumphouse | Dock Rd | V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)21 418 8880 | info@capetowncomedy.com

SEAL VIEWS AND SHIPWRECKS FROM A HOUT BAY CHARTER
Do It If: Mom doesn’t get sea sick, and likes Blue Planet and sea views
Practice your David Attenborough impression and take mom to Hout Bay for a trip on Drum Beat Charter. It’s a 40-60 minute boat trip that goes to the Duiker Island Seal Colony, then branches off to either the Bos 400 shipwreck at Maori Bay, or does its return trip via a route that takes in the cliffs and caves around Chapman’s Peak.
Cost: R100

Hout Bay Harbour | 20 Northoaks | Hout Bay | +27 (0)21 791 4441 | hello@drumbeatcharters.co.za

GET OUT AND ARTY AT AN EXHIBIT
Do It If: Family portraits weren’t the only pictures on the walls at home
Does mom have an artistic side? Then the Norval Foundation Art Exhibition is perfect for her. The foundation specialises in 20th and 21st Century work, combining the experience of art with the appreciation of nature. They do free daily tours with one of their curators taking you through exhibitions by David Goldblatt, Yinka Shonibare and a showcase of nude pantings by various artists. You can also get a South African Classic Picnic basket for two from the restaurant, which includes chicken mayonnaise vetkoek, bobotie samosas, rainbow coleslaw, two dips and crudités, seasonal fruit salad and filled doughnuts. There are vegetarian and gluten free options.
Cost: R160 (Entry), R320 (picnic basket)

4 Steenberg Road | Tokai | +27 87 654 5900 | info@norvalfoundation.org

FYNBOS CUPCAKE AND WINE PAIRING
Do It If: Mom cooks with a wine glass in her hand
So your mom thinks she’s tasted it all right? Well Delheim’s wine will blow her mind. The wine farm is known as a pioneer in Stellenbosch wine, not only for award-winning wines and promoting sustainability but also for their pioneering tastings and ideas. You can take it up a notch by trying the Fynbos Cupcake and Wine Pairing at Delheim Wine Farm.
Cost: R65 for five wines; R120 for the cupcake and wine tasting

Knorhoek Road | Stellenbosch | +27 (0) 888 4600 | info@delheim.com

WAKE UP, WORKOUT, JUMP AND JOL
Do it if: Mom used to wake up at dawn crack for Body Beat
Get into the groove early by attending a new pop up workout presented by Women’s Health magazine. It’s happening the day before Mother’s Day, with stretching, pilates and dance forming the crux of the workout. You can also expect a morning coffee, goody bag, and can take mom to lunch at de Vie, the hosts of the Chase The Sun morning workout.
Cost: R299 (single entry), R520 (besties tickets)

Val De Vie Wine and Polo Estate | Jan van Riebeeck Road | +27 (0)21 406 2141 | amy.hopkins@media24.com

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