Page 35 - SilverLakes_Issue 4_2022

LIFESTYLE

Simple ways to make

Mother’s Day memorable

appy memories are an essential ingredient in any good works brilliantly as the weather starts getting colder. It makes me
recipe. That’s because nostalgia is so embedded in our smile every evening when I slip them on and think of my bunch
Hfavourite foods that it only takes the smell of cinnamon dashing around the shops looking for slippers that mom likes (which
gently wafting through the house, for example, to take us back to isn’t difficult to do since all the shops get their new winter ranges
our childhood, when we’d watch mom in lip-smacking anticipation now). I love that there is a tradition that we all joke about and have
as she’d flip the pancakes for Sunday breakfast. fun with.

Grace Stevens is a Cape Town-based TV chef, author and confectionery Give treasures
creative. She is also a mother of four. To celebrate her 20 year of Painting a plate or a special mug will mean more than anything
th
being a mom, she offers her reflections and unique perspective on you can buy. I have friends who, long after their children have gone
making an occasion of Mother’s Day and shares simple, meaningful off to university, still drink their morning tea out of the same mug
ways that you can use food to bring the family together. that their children gave them one Mother’s Day. These treasured
gifts help me feel connected to my kids, and it is the time they gave
Grace’s top 4 tips for making Mother’s Day and the effort they made that makes me feel loved. And as much
memorable: as we treasure heirlooms like painted mugs, it is the memory they
represent that can never be lost, tarnished or broken.
Drop hints
Drop hints like “Psst … it’s almost Mother’s Day” or “You should Get together... even if you are far apart
tell your dad that this would be the perfect gift for Mother’s Day”. An excellent way to soothe the pang of distance is to do an online
Children have a surprising amount of anxiety about gift-giving course with your mom on something she loves. I have some stunning
which you can eliminate through communication. It’s a wonderful Mother’s Day discounts on my online classes, where you receive a
opportunity to teach them how to appreciate, acknowledge and link via Zoom and you can chat, share your trials and tribulations
celebrate the role each individual plays in the family, not to mention with the class, and feel as if you are together. There is always a way
teaching them how to navigate and express their emotions. Mother’s to come together; in my experience, making delicious, beautiful
Day has evolved in my household as we had more children, but the treats together to munch when the class is over is the sweetest way
thing I love most is that my children still stick around me all day. to spend time. For those of us who have more
mature moms and have to contend with
Last year, we all huddled and had breakfast on the bed and laughed different time zones and jobs we cannot
and teased each other. For lunch, they prepared my favourite (a BLT always get away from, having the option
sandwich); they even went shopping without me knowing, which I of booking a class that suits you both is
was extraordinarily touched by. My son took the time to bake me a freeing, and I would feel so privileged if I
cake. Seeing them all work together would make any mother’s heart could help you spoil your mom.
sing and seeing them consider what I like over their own tastes was
just so special.

Keep it simple
Extravagant gifts can easily become about
keeping up with the Joneses, and it can result
in your losing focus on what Mother’s Day is
truly about. My favourite gifts are about the
personal touch, like making mom’s favourite
carrot cake (and doing the dishes) and giving
her a homemade card. After all, cards are a
bit like love letters and hold the memory of
that moment decades after it has passed.

In our household, I only ask for one gift from
all my children – a new pair of slippers. It

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