What Would I Give My Mum on Mother’s Day? Gourmet ideas
There are many ways to say merci to our mothers, but I’ve always believed the best gifts are thoughtful, beautifully made and meant to be savoured—just like the love they give us all these years.
🌍 A Little History: Where Did Mother’s Day Come From?
While we know it’s the perfect day to thank our mothers for all the hard work and love, it’s interesting to know where the tradition originated in the United States, officially establishing Mother's Day as a holiday in 1914 thanks to Anna Jarvis, an activist for women's recognition. The idea quickly spread across Europe. In the Netherlands, Moederdag took root in the 1920s and became a widely celebrated day by the 1930s, often involving flowers, breakfast in bed and homemade gifts from children.
France celebrates Mother's Day (La Fête des Mères) on the last Sunday of May, so this year it will take place on May 25th. It became an official holiday in 1950. The date was chosen to avoid overlapping with Labour Day (May 1st) and to space it out from Pentecost, which often falls in May.
👩🍳 My Mother: The Inspiration
This is my mum, Tatiana.
She loves food just as much as I do, but unlike me she not only knows how to cook it, but also how to grow all the capricious vegetables and fruit (and roses)!
I remember her as someone who knew how to make the most out of very little: managing the house, the big garden, the endless potatoes, cabbages, paprikas, cucumbers and raspberries we grew while teaching English in school… She preserved everything for winter, cooked beautiful and delicious meals and somehow always looked elegant—with an impeccable manicure she did herself. I honestly have no idea how she managed.
You should have seen the festive cakes and patisserie she made for my birthdays as a child—the memory of her Millefeuille (“Napoleon” as we call it Russia) still makes me dizzy with joy.
Unlike me, she—and the rest of my family—has never been to Europe. And my biggest dream is to take them on a Grand Tour and let them experience everything I’ve come to love here including the joie de vivre, the gastronomic heritage and the breathtaking regional diversity of France.
So, with that in mind… what would I gift my mum on any occasion?
🎁 My Gourmet Gift Suggestions
Since our mothers deserve only the best, I’ve prepared a few thoughtful gift sets made with care by small producers. Here are my handpicked selections that are sure to bring joy and real pleasure:
If you knew exactly where to find the BEST EVER Olive Oil, fragrant Lavender Honey, and a gorgeous Wild Thyme Confiture—wouldn’t you give them to your mum? Of course you would. That’s why I packed them into this gift set and cheekily named it “Wild & Refined.” Because it is - all natural ingredients packaged beautifully with love and care.
Crafted at “Domaine de Leos”, the estate founded by the French singer and actor Patrick Bruel, this set is rooted in sustainable practices and artisanal care. These are ingredients of exceptional quality—favoured by chefs like Joël Robuchon and Alain Ducasse—and they bring magic to the kitchen.
This set is inspired by the red harvest of the south and contains my most favourite delicacies from Provence:
Premium Confiture with Strawberries of Carpentras (special precious kind from Provence) with Wild Thyme that contains 75% fruit! A true delicacy and possibly the best jam you might ever try.
Gorgeous Vinegar condiment with Raspberry juice that can turn any fresh dish or cocktail into a masterpiece!
“Ripe & Fruity” premium Olive Oil from Domaine de Leos with the notes of almond, red berries and ripe apples.
Pâtes aux fruits (Fruit jellies), made with real Strawberries of Provence - you can see the little seeds!
All natural and truly indulgent!
Perfect combination of fresh flavours to enjoy on these first warm days!
A sun-drenched trio from Provence for anyone who loves zesty lemons and rich pistachios!
🍋 Extra Virgin Olive Oil with real Lemon
A perfect company for seafood, white meats, salads and even sorbets.
🍋 White Balsamic Vinegar Condiment with Lemon
Delicate, fruity and low in acidity (3.5°), this condiment adds brightness to fish, salads and even cocktails!
🌰 Sicilian Pistachio Supreme Spread
Smooth, nutty and indulgent — with 25% Sicilian pistachios and extra virgin olive oil (22%). It can turn any toast into the most irresistable dessert!
If you feel your Mum would enjoy high quality sweet delicacies - leave this for professionals. The team at “Le Roy René” in Aix-en-Provence know how to create delicate flavours while staying close to natural traditional recipes, after all they are famous for the most royal signature sweet of Provence - Calisson, invented in 15th century for a royal wedding.
Traditional almond Calissons, melting Florentines, fragrant Candied orange pills, soft White nougat and crunchy Coated almonds - a discovery spread of authentic Provence flavours and a treat to any gourmet.
Another version of a generous spread of traditional Provençal delicacies with injection of chocolate from Aix-en-Provence that includes:
Traditional almond Calissons, mini chocolate-coated Calissons, coated almonds mix, White nougat and Pâtes aux fruits (Traditional real fruit jellies).
Wow effect guaranteed!!!
Elevate any set with a bouquet of real Lavender from Provence, grown and harvested by a family at “Le Chateau de la Gabelle”, just for €5.90!
If kept from sun rays and heat, it can keep its shape for months.
These sets and flavours from small producers of France offer a delicious way to say "thank you". Thoughtful, authentic and truly indulgent.
If you'd like to ship the gift directly to your Mum, I'm happy to include a handwritten card with your kind words. Just add your message at the checkout, and I’ll make sure it’s packed with care and a personal touch.
And if you'd prefer to tailor something even more personal, you're also welcome to browse the full Terre à Table collection and create your own set that's just right for your Mum. We’ve got something for every taste—savoury delicacies, sweet treats, pantry staples and beautifully prepared vegan dishes—all made with the same care, creativity and quality that define French artisanal tradition.
Let’s always remember what our Mothers mean to us and spend as much time as we can with them.
Warm wishes (and lots of lavender),
Mariia
