This Mother’s Day will be a little different. While some Public Health restrictions have been lifted recently, it’s important to ensure we continue to protect the vulnerable in our society from COVID-19. Below are some ideas we have put together that allow for celebration with distance if needed.
As at 9am Friday 8th May the current restrictions allow for two adults and dependent children to visit another household whilst still respecting social distancing.
Here are some creative ideas to still make Mother’s Day special:
Share a meal
This Mother’s Day, make or order a meal for you and your Mum to enjoy! Then either eat with her, drop it off to her if she’s nearby or have it delivered and share a virtual dinner together. Support your local restaurants around Summer Hill and Lewisham and see if they are offering delivery or takeaway. Most Mums with young children would sincerely appreciate a homemade breakfast-in-bed (preferably a quiet one without the children sitting beside them!)
Say ‘Hello’ from a distance
If you live nearby, stand on Mum’s footpath, outside their closed window, or in the yard and hold up some colourful Mother’s Day signs. You could call them from your mobile phone to speak with them while you are standing there or simply shout it from the street! One or two of you can also visit in person if your Mum is not in a high-risk category.
Watch Mass together
We live stream our weekly Sunday Mass live from St Thomas every SUnday morning at 10.30am. Why not tune in together either in-person or remotely.
LIVE STREAMED SUNDAY MASS AT ST THOMAS
Say a Prayer together
We have put together a number of prayers that you could say for your Mum, or with your Mum. These just as meaningful delivered in person or over the phone. https://thomaspatrick.org.au/mothers-day-prayers
Enjoy nature together
Getting some fresh air is a real priority for many of us right now. Sit together on the porch or in front of an open window and just enjoy nature together. If you’re not nearby, do this virtually via video call or telephone.
Attend a virtual concert or show
Ever thought of attending a virtual concert? Many musicians, orchestras, and musicals are making shows available online for free. Sydney Opera House has released a full Digital Season online with most things free to view https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Tour a museum, virtually
Art lovers may enjoy visiting a museum. This year, you can visit museums around the world online. The Art Gallery of NSW has launched an online platform to allow visitors to connect virtually with the Gallery https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/artboards/together-in-art
Relax with casual activities
Why not watch a favourite movie or TV show together! Many major TV stations like offer full episodes of their shows for free on their websites and through their apps. Some suggestions are ABC iView and 9NOW.
You could also do puzzles, crosswords or sudoku together. If you’re not in the same household, it doesn’t have to be the same puzzle. The goal is to enjoy an activity together. There are many sites offering free puzzles during restrictions:
https://sudoku.com
https://thenewdaily.com.au/puzzles/quiz-crossword
Bake or Cook together
If you’re in the same household, you could bake cookies or cook a favourite dish together. Depending on their abilities and interests, they could work side-by-side with you, prep a few simple ingredients, or observe and be your taste tester. Cooking virtually on Zoom or Facetime is also another fun way to spend time together. There are lots of online recipe sites to support you and we have linked a few to help:
https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes
https://www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipes
https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections
Listen to Music together
Another activity that can be enjoyed in person together or via video call or telephone is to listen to music together. If you both play the same song, you can listen or even sing along together. This activity is bound to produce a few laughs along the way.
Read a book together
Whether in person or on a call, you can read aloud from a book of their choice. This is a particularly nice idea for Grandmothers who might love to read a bedtime story with Grandchildren they haven’t been able to see for a while. Zoom, Facetime or the good old fashioned phone will all work for this one!
Send a heartfelt card or letter
Sending a card or letter with a lovely message is always a thoughtful way to show how much you care and that they’re in your thoughts. While its a little late for the post to arrive on time (note to self for next year!) you can still email, text etc and use your imagination to create a personal message that is delivered on time.
Send flowers
Many local flower shops are still operating and making deliveries and it is another great way to support local businesses in your area. You might struggle for same-day delivery if you’ve left it to Sunday but there is no harm in trying!
https://lucysflorist.com is at Summer Hill and https://www.twigandvine.com.au is at Lewisham
Gift cards and vouchers
Give a gift card for a popular restaurant currently delivering meals or to an online store. Many places will now issue gift cards online that can simply be shared via email or text.
One great idea is to gift a grocery delivery now that online orders are back up and running at Coles and Woolworths. You could also let Mum know that you’ll be gifting them their next grocery delivery and place the order for them.
Create a custom photo album, calendar, or puzzle
This is always a fun way to help you organise your photos and make sure they get seen beyond your computer or device! You can now order custom made photo albums, puzzles, mugs – pretty much anything you can think of. Photos can simply be uploaded from your computer and items delivered straight to your door, or Nannas! There are loads of online resources to help you make something unique, personal and special, but here are two to get you started:
Vistaprint https://www.vistaprint.com.au/photo-gifts?xnid=TopNav_Wall+Art+Photo+and+Gifts&xnav=TopNav
Shutterfly https://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books
