No matter how elated she pretends to be, we’ll hazard a guess that your mum is wishing she didn’t have to pretend to love the supermarket flowers and chocolate selection box you trot out every March.

And while we all know that it’s really the thought that counts (we’re certainly not judging you for taking the classic flowers and chocolate route), it’s high time we switched things up when it comes to gift giving this Mother’s Day. 

This year, we’re thinking outside the box.

From the gift of time to a decadent boozy treat, we’ve rounded up some inspiration to help you give someone special a stellar treat this Mother’s Day. Here are five ways you can treat the mother figure in your life - whether that’s the mother hen in your friendship group, or the woman who kept you fed and clothed for the first 18 years of your life…

We’re all super busy right now, there’s no doubt about that. But the odds are that the women you cherish and look up to are even busier.

Time really is of the essence. 

So, if you’re thinking about doing something special for the mother figure in your life, why not treat her to some ‘me-time’?

It sounds so simple but giving somebody you care about the time and space to focus on themselves might be one of the most thoughtful gifts out there.

If they have dependents, like children or parents that they care for, you could offer to look after them for the day. Or if they have an endless list of errands to run, you could take charge of these and encourage them to put their feet up or do something that makes them feel rested.

It may not seem like a grand gesture but trust us, the women in your life will appreciate it massively.

Who doesn’t appreciate a treat that’s been made with love?

To be super clear, we’re talking about the rich, chocolatey and totally irresistible kind of truffles and we’re pretty sure that these will be loved by all who have the pleasure of eating them.

You’ll need:

70ml Baileys Irish Cream (but you can substitute it for any flavour of Baileys that tickles your fancy)

200g semi-sweet chocolate

56g unsalted butter

120ml heavy whipping cream

Cocoa powder for coating

Method:

1. Put the chocolate and butter in a heat-proof bowl and melt over a bain-marie (or in the microwave if you’re feeling lazy) 

2. Take off the heat and stir in the Baileys and whipping cream until the mixture is well combined

3. Refrigerate for two hours until the mixture is firm enough to roll into balls

4. Use a teaspoon or melonballer to form the truffles

5. Roll them in cocoa powder and refrigerate for an hour before serving

We’re here for chocolate truffles all day long, but chocolate truffles with a surprise slosh of Baileys? We couldn’t think of a more perfect Mother’s Day treat. 

Now, we did say that giving the mother figure in your life some ‘me-time’ is a great way to treat them. But spending your own precious time celebrating them is also an unrivalled gift.

Some of the mother figures in our lives might prefer to be celebrated and showered with attention rather than left alone, so it really depends on what they need when Mother’s Day rolls around.

There’s nothing more precious than time, and giving yours up to spend it with somebody you love is a treat that can never be bought. So, as surprising as it may sound, just spending the day with the important women in your life is the ideal Mother’s Day treat.

Whether you opt for extravagance and book a day out to the theatre or a trip abroad or plan a lazy day with her favourite snacks, films and pastimes, she’s sure to be chuffed with the thought you’ve put into making her day extra special.

After all, kindness costs nothing.

If you’re going to treat her to chocolate, you can at least get creative with it and this Baileys-infused chocolate espresso martini is going to help you do just that. Here’s hows to make it…

You’ll need:

50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream

Ice

25ml vodka

25ml chocolate liqueur

50ml espresso

Cocoa powder

Grated dark chocolate

Method:

1. Add the ice to the cocktail shaker, then pour in the Baileys, vodka, chocolate liqueur and espresso

2. Shake to your heart’s content

3. Pour into a martini glass and top with a dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa powder and a sprinkle of grated dark chocolate for good measure.

It’s a deliciously mouth-watering combo that’s bound to be a pleasant surprise for whoever you decide to make it for. If you’re worried about FOMO, pour yourself a glass too and make a toast to the amazing women you’re celebrating.

Newsflash: subscriptions aren’t just limited to magazines any more (although they’re still great if the mother figure in your life enjoys a cuppa and a good flick through Stylist).

From fresh fruit and veg to meal kits and monthly make-up boxes, there are all sorts of subscriptions you could treat her to.

But if you’re watching your wallet, fear not. You could get creative and devise your own subscription programme for her to enjoy. How about treating her to a home-cooked dinner every fortnight for the next year? Or offer to be her taxi for every night out she has planned over the next six months?

The possibilities are endless.

We all know the famous saying that’s supposed to guide our Christmas present purchases: “Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.”

Now, purchasing clothing and books for another person can sometimes be a shot in the dark. But if you buy them something they desperately need but have never actually got around to buying for themselves, you can’t go far wrong.

You might think that gifting someone with something they need isn’t exciting or surprising at all. But you’d be shocked at how grateful your mum will be when you treat her to that thing she’s just never gotten around to buying.

It shows that you’re paying attention to her life and she’ll probably be surprised when the she receives something that’s actually useful. Plus, it will stand you in good stead when your turn rolls around to be the receiver of gifts…

Looking for a new way to gift the mother figure in your life? Whether you share it, serve it or slip into her favourite sweet treat, Baileys is the perfect way to give someone a moment of joy this Mother’s Day.

Please drink responsibly. Please do not forward this article to anyone under the age of 18.