Grazed knees, bad days at school, broken hearts and false starts. Mums have dealt with them all and more.

Below is a small selection of gift suggestions for Mother’s Day on Sunday 19^th March. Some are tokens. Others are more substantial. It doesn’t really matter. The point is to say you haven’t forgotten all that your Mum has done and will do for you.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we seem to have something in our eye so we will clear our throats, straighten our shoulders and point out that there are plenty of other ideas among our Big Deals.

And if your Mum is an absolute ‘mare to buy for then 5pm gift vouchers give her the chance to get the gift she really wants.

Next week, we’ll suggest some Mother’s Day dining options.

£11.95 for a Choice of Mother's Day Cakes Selection from The Original Cake Company

What’s Included

Mother’s Day cake collections

Fruitcake or chocolate truffle selection

Leading artisan bakery

High-quality ingredients

Handcrafted cakes

The Original Cake Company is one of the UK’s best artisan bakers. Based in Lincoln, this family-run bakery prides itself on whipping up delicious cakes from the finest ingredients.

Goodies include creative fruitcakes and decadent chocolate truffles, all beautifully decorated.

Treat your mum to either or both with this Big Deal for a Fruitcake Selection or Chocolate Truffle Cake Selection.

Sweet treats for mum

Option one for a Fruitcake Selection includes nine rich and decadent mini fruit cakes with hand-decorated toppings like pink sugar flowers.

These lightly spiced, all-butter cakes are crammed with fruit (which is precisely as it should be).

Flavours include chocolate egg; iced with marzipan; white chocolate drizzle, cherries and citrus peel with sugar nibs.

Option two for a Chocolate Truffle Cake Selection including nine rich and exquisitely moist mini truffle cakes baked with milk chocolate, ground almonds and butter.

Flavours include chocolate egg drizzle; triple chocolate malted balls; chocolate icing; rocky road, salted caramel and mint chocolate.

Praise for The Original Cake Company

‘Thank you so very much for your prompt delivery of delicious cakes… fantastic service, fast delivery and a friendly voice on the telephone whilst ordering. I shall definitely be buying some more very soon. 5/5’

Does your Mum have a sweet tooth? Buy now.

2 or 3 Night Self Catering Cottage Stay at Auchendennan Farm, Loch Lomond; from £179

What’s Included

Loch Lomond escape, close to Balloch and Luss

Set in extensive grounds

Championship artificial clay tennis court

Up to 7 people*

Private hot tub with some properties

Deluxe Loch Lomond accommodation

What do many Mums want? To see more of you. Here is one way to do that.

Auchendennan Farm Cottages are a short stroll away from the lochside and are handy for popular spots like Balloch and Luss.

Extensive grounds, gardens, woodlands, walking trails and popular parks make this a truly rustic retreat.

Each property has its own unique vibe and might include special features such as a hot tub, sauna or log-burning stove.

Every property also has the perks of deluxe Egyptian cotton bedding and towels, satellite TV, free internet, a fully equipped kitchen and soundproofing for extra serenity.

Fab for couples, families and friends

This super flexible Big Deal has lots of options and is available for midweek stays from mid-April to June, and up to seven people can enjoy this escape, depending on the property.

Choose from the cosy Stable Cottage; the charming Rose Cottage with private hot tub; the flagship Auchendennan Farm Cottage with private hot tub and sauna, and the sleek retreat, Burnbeag cottage, which has a private garden with its own stream, party decking area, conservatory, large hot tub and open log fire.

Ideal for a birthday, anniversary, or family adventure

Planning a quiet romantic escape or a big celebration? Whatever it is, there is a place for you at Auchendennan Farm.

You can unwind on the decks with a glass of wine or go waterskiing on Loch Lomond. This Big Deal offers either perfect peace or outdoor thrills, so start planning the getaway that suits you. Buy now.

Cruise & Light Lunch for up to 4 on Loch Katrine, Callander; from £19

What’s Included

Loch cruise with lunch for up to 4

Sail on one of two cruisers

Experience Loch Katrine in spring

45 minute sailing

Loch Katrine cruise

This scenic Big Deal is for up to four people (two adults and two children) the chance to cruise across Loch Katrine on the modern Lady of the Lake or Rob Roy III cruiser.

Leaving from Trossachs Pier, you can enjoy a tasty lunch after your adventure, which includes soup of the day and a choice of sandwich.

This offer is available until the end of May, with a choice of departure times.

Gorgeous Trossachs scenery

On this awe-inspiring sailing, you will glide past stunning Trossachs landmarks such as Ben A’an, Ben Venue and Brenachoile.

Both ships have heated saloon bars, where you can enjoy a drink and hear about the legends of the loch from the knowledgeable crew.

Or you could head up onto the decks and drink in that exhilarating scenery…

There is the option for one adult, two adults and one child, and two adults and two children. Of course, you can buy multiple adult tickets.

Children are classed as aged five to 16 – there is the option to add children under five for a supplement, on a mini light lunch.

Happy cruisers on TripAdvisor

‘We decided to visit Loch Katrine and take advantage of their cruise… The cruise sets off from the Trossachs pier, which is set in the most stunning area between Callander and Aberfoyle. The cruise was accompanied with an onboard commentary offering historical information of the area on the banks of Loch Katrine. It lasted approx one hour… One of the most important aspects to the cruise was, it is doggy friendly.’

Day out with Mum? Grab it.

Spa Day with Afternoon Tea or Treatment at the 5* SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel, by Kelso; from £69

What’s Included

5* hotel in the Scottish borders

Luxury spa day for 1

Afternoon tea or 60 min signature massage

Infinity pool, hot tub & sauna

Robe & slippers hire

Available 7 days

5* luxury hotel

Set in gorgeous parkland, SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel is a luxury hotel near Kelso in the Scottish Borders, just an hour from Edinburgh and two hours from Glasgow.

Located on the ground floor of this estate house, you’ll find state of the art SCHLOSS Spa with exclusive facilities.

Blissful spa day

Available seven days a week, this Big Deal is for one person to enjoy a relaxing spa day. Choose option one and be treated to a tasty afternoon tea. Option two includes a 60 minute signature massage.

Both options include a spa day pass, allowing four hours access to all leisure facilities, including an outdoor heated infinity pool, hot tub, plunge pool, aroma sauna, embedded Finnish dry sauna and fully equipped fitness suite.

Glowing reviews

This TripAdvisor reviewer was thrilled with their experience at the SCHLOSS Spa. Here’s a snippet:

‘Booked in for lunch, then spa treatment and afternoon tea. The lunch was just as we ordered light and very tasty staff were super attentive. The spa treatment was really good so very relaxed when we had afternoon tea. Ah it was so good. Only complaint? There was too much !!! They boxed it up for us to take home. Would totally recommend this for a special day out’ 5/5

Treat your Mum.

Ticket for West End Musicals with London Concertante at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh on Friday 14th April; from £18

What’s Included

West End musicals show

Songs from Les Miserables, West Side Story, Oklahoma & more

Edinburgh’s stunning St Giles Cathedral

Enchanting music from acclaimed chamber music ensemble

An evening to remember

Enjoy a trip through the history of musicals with this Big Deal, brought to you by London Concertante – one of the finest chamber music ensembles in the country.

You are invited to their atmospheric candlelit chamber music event showcasing the best West End music numbers at St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile on Friday 14th April.

This is an ideal space to soak up classics like “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, “Luck be a Lady” from Guys & Dolls, “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, “Tonight” from West Side Story, “A Little Priest” from Sweeney Todd, “People Will Say We’re in Love” from Oklahoma and many more.

Critically acclaimed ensemble

With a stunning selection of recordings plus tours of the UK, Europe and the USA, London Concertante are right at the forefront of classical music in Britain.

Yet this friendly ensemble keeps things light and accessible by chatting and joking with the audience.

You can take a sneak peak of them performing ‘A Night at the Opera’ here.

This Big Deal is an opportunity to lose yourself in the magic of timeless music in the spectacular candlelit setting of a Gothic cathedral, and whether you’re a classical music buff or totally new to it all, you’ll soon be swept up into the atmosphere of this special event.

Buy now.

Paisley Buddies

Another option would be the London Concertante ensemble at Paisley Abbey on Sunday 16^th April. If your Mum has a keen ear for movies from the movies then buy now.