Mother’s Day Gift Edit: 10 Curated Picks from Empress Homewares
Finding a Mother’s Day gift that feels genuinely thoughtful — not just expensive — is the part most people get stuck on. The flowers wilt. The chocolates disappear. What stays is something she can use, see, or live with for years. The pieces below have all been hand-picked from our Norwood showroom for exactly that reason: each one earns its place in the home.
The thread running through every piece in this edit is restraint. None of them shout. Each one rewards the second look — a piano-finish lacquer that catches the morning light, a hand-cut bone inlay pattern, a candle whose scent unfolds slowly across an evening. They’re the kind of objects that reveal themselves over time, which is exactly the kind of gift Mum will keep coming back to.
This is our Mother’s Day gift edit for 2026 — ten favourites at every price point, all gift-wrapped and ready to send. Order online by Wed 7 May for delivery in time for Sunday 10 May, or visit us at 7 Osmond Terrace, Norwood any day in between.
Keepsakes & Treasures
For the mum who loves heirloom-feeling pieces. These two jewellery boxes are our quietest best-sellers — the kind of thing she’ll keep for thirty years and pass on.
Hamptons XL Jewellery Box, White Piano Finish
The Hamptons XL Jewellery Box in white piano finish is built like fine furniture — lacquered, soft-close, lined with neutral velvet. The proportions are generous enough to organise a lifetime’s worth of pieces without ever feeling oversized. Currently $365 (down from $425).
Manhattan XL Jewellery Box, Black Piano Finish
The Manhattan XL Jewellery Box in black piano finish is the Hamptons’ more dramatic twin. The deep black lacquer reads sophisticated against any dressing table, and the gold hardware is restrained — not flashy. Currently $395 (down from $425).
Scent & Serenity
For the mum whose love language is a candle that actually fills the room. These two pieces also pair beautifully — perfume on the dresser, candle on the side table.
Audrey Perfume Bottle
The Audrey Perfume Bottle is decorative as much as it is functional — a sculptural glass form that elevates any vanity, even empty. Refill with her favourite perfume or leave on display. Currently $100 (down from $134.95).
Santorini Majestic Candle, Marine & Patchouli (2.4kg)
The Santorini Majestic Candle from the Apsley range is the upper-tier version of our most-loved scent. At 2.4kg it burns for hundreds of hours, and the marine and patchouli blend is unisex, layered, and never overpowering. Currently $185 (down from $229).
Natural Pampering
For the mum who needs to be told to slow down. Both pieces are made in Australia by Jocelyn Proust under the Thurlby Native Botanical range — soft, natural, and beautifully presented.
Thurlby Native Botanical Heat Pack with Sandalwood
The Thurlby Native Botanical Heat Pack is filled with sandalwood and warming herbs, available in four colourways. Microwave for two minutes for sore shoulders or cold-weather comfort. $34.95.
Thurlby Native Botanical Bathing Brew
The Thurlby Native Botanical Bathing Brew is a beautifully packaged bath soak in Jocelyn Proust’s signature botanical artwork. Simple, elegant, and the kind of small luxury most mums would never buy themselves. $27.95.
Decorative Details
For the mum who notices the small things in a home — the kind of pieces that quietly anchor a room.
Riyad Bone Inlay Tray, Black Resin (50cm)
The Riyad Bone Inlay Tray is genuinely handmade in India using traditional camel-bone inlay over black resin — a slow craft that takes weeks per piece. At 50cm it’s a centrepiece in its own right: ottoman, kitchen island, dressing table. Currently $365 (down from $395).
Pavla Photo Frame, 4 x 6
The Pavla Photo Frame is the kind of frame people upgrade to once they’ve stopped buying generic ones. The textured metallic finish reads designer without trying. $59.95 — the easiest “I picked this myself” gift on the list.
Timeless Pieces
For the mum who’ll have these pieces longer than the ones she kept from her own mother. Both are objects with weight — literal and metaphorical.
Lincoln Desk Clock, Satin Gold
The Lincoln Desk Clock in satin gold is the kind of bedside or desk clock that belongs in a quiet study. Mechanical-feeling, weighted, classic Roman numerals. Currently $90 (down from $110).
Footed Champagne Bucket
The Footed Champagne Bucket elevates the act of pouring something cold — literally and figuratively. Stainless steel on a polished pedestal, it earns its place at every dinner party that follows. $195.
Gift Wrapping & Adelaide Delivery
Every piece in this edit comes complimentary gift-wrapped, ready to hand over. We deliver Australia-wide, with priority dispatch to Adelaide and South Australia. The cut-off for Mother’s Day delivery is Wednesday 7 May — order before then and we’ll have it to her in time. Afterpay and PayPal are available on every piece, including the larger items.
If you’d rather see the pieces in person, our Norwood showroom is open six days a week. Drop by, take your time, and we’ll wrap it before you leave.
Empress Homewares Norwood
7 Osmond Terrace, Norwood SA 5067
(08) 8363 7109
Browse the full collection →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Mother’s Day gift for someone who does not want flowers?
For mums who would rather have something lasting, look at handcrafted homewares that earn a place on a dressing table, bedside, or living-room shelf. A jewellery box, a sculptural perfume bottle, a slow-burning candle, or a bone inlay tray all serve as quiet daily presence in the home rather than a one-week bouquet. The right piece is one she would not buy for herself.
When should I order a Mother’s Day gift for delivery in Adelaide?
For Adelaide metropolitan delivery, ordering at least three business days before Mother’s Day Sunday gives a comfortable buffer. For interstate delivery anywhere in Australia, order at least five business days ahead. Click-and-collect from Norwood is available the same day for in-stock items. Most quality homewares stores in Adelaide offer complimentary gift wrapping if you ask at checkout.
What is a meaningful Mother’s Day gift under $100?
Under the $100 mark you can still buy hand-crafted homewares that feel considered rather than budget. Options include a hand-poured candle, a botanical heat pack or bathing brew, a photo frame in a quality finish, a single bone inlay coaster set, or an Australian-made native botanical gift. Avoid the supermarket gift-pack route — the materials and presentation rarely survive a year on a shelf.
Are jewellery boxes a good Mother’s Day gift?
Yes — a well-made jewellery box is one of the most-kept Mother’s Day gifts because it stays in daily use for decades. Look for a piano-finish lacquer, soft-close drawers, velvet lining, and proportions that suit the recipient’s collection. The XL sizes hold a lifetime of pieces; the smaller travel sizes work for a more minimal wearer.
Does Empress Homewares offer gift wrapping for Mother’s Day?
Yes. Every piece purchased from Empress Homewares comes complimentary gift-wrapped and ready to hand over, whether ordered online for delivery or collected in person from the Norwood showroom. Add a personalised gift card at checkout if you would like a written message included.
What is a unique Mother’s Day gift for an Australian mum?
Australian-made gifts add a layer of provenance that feels personal. Options include the Thurlby Native Botanical range from South Australia (heat packs, bathing brews, clothing protectors in native scents), or hand-poured candles from Adelaide makers. Pair an Australian-made piece with one international handcrafted item (bone inlay tray, brass photo frame) for a layered gift she can unwrap as two.
