Compiled by Patrick Avenell

Over the past few weeks, we have been highlighting some of the major Mother’s Day battlegrounds: Choppers, Processors, Breakfast Packs, Juicers and Personal Care, for example.

Here now are our picks for the best Mother’s Day gift ideas (and don’t forget to check out our Mother’s Day promotions webpage with all the deals currently on offer):

Breville All in One (BSB530, RRP $199)

'Heston tested' for kitchen quality results at home, this combination blender, masher, chopper and slicer pretty much takes care of most food prep needs while still maintaining a compact footprint.

Sunbeam Cafe Series Espresso Machine (EM7000, RRP $899)

Buy Mum one of these manual coffee machines and she will also be treated to a free lesson at the Sunbeam coffee school. It is here that she will learn about why an angled handle is important (it reduces strain injuries), how to buy coffee (direct from a roaster, within a few days of roasting), how to store coffee (in cellar-like conditions away from heat, light, air and moisture) and, of course, how to make a cup of coffee (you'll have to do the course to find out).

De'Longhi Icona Vintage breakfast pack (4-slice toaster is RRP $189; kettle is RRP $149)

You have to admire De'Longhi's ability to create and market small appliances that can be sold on appearance and functionality, rather than cheap prices. The Icona Vintage range is marked by classically Italian styles from the era of Fellini, Mastroianni and Piaggio. I've gone with the Lazio colours – De'Longhi calls it 'Anita' – but others might prefer dark brown, light brown, olive green or black.

Tefal Fresh Express + (RRP $69)

Now with a wavy slicing cone! In addition to excellent marketingspeak, the Fresh Express provides for quick chopping, slicing and grating of various foodstuffs directly into the bowl. Five different drums are provided in the box: wavy slicing, thin slicing, coarse grating, fine grating and (plain old) grating.

Philips PerfectCare Aqua (GC8635, RRP $449)

Not all Mums would be happy to receive an iron on their special day – but this is a special iron. The PerfectCare steam system is actually quite a lot of fun to use, as the steam is so consistently strong that creases disappear quicker than breakfast in bed. Also, this iron has no dial, so it can be used on any fabric without having to make manual adjustments.

Bissell AirRAM (RRP $399)

 

Without doubt the best, most functional, most fun cleaner this vac-lover has ever used. The 40-minute battery means it will keep sucking well after others have had to go back to the charger and dust compression technology means it can pick up a lot more detritus than you would expect. While nowhere near as flexible as a Dyson stick vac (you certainly can't lift it above your head), the AirRAM is absolutely brilliant for floors. What Mum wouldn't want a vacuum cleaner on her special day?!?!?

Dreamfarm Garject (RRP $39)

Proof that good things can come in affordable packaging, the Garject garlic crusher is an industrial design masterpiece – winner of the Best in Category award for consumer products at the 2012 Australian International Design Awards. Garlic, by its very nature, is an acquired taste, but for those who like the taste, this peel-on crusher will prove irresistible.

Sony Xperia Z (RRP $749)

The first batch of Android 'superphones' have generated a lot of buzz, but while the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and LG Optimus G are all great handsets, none of them mark the step-up to a new level like Sony's Xperia Z. The confluence of elegance and perspicacity is matched only by this handset's ability to wash off the confluence of water and accidence. And the camera is great too.

Panasonic SZ9 (RRP $229)

 

10x optical zoom, Full HD recording and built-in Wi-Fi make this slimline, sleek and silver snapper the perfect gift for Mothers that must simply upload every single milestone to social media. Sync it with your smartphone and you can pretty much have every otherwise mundane moment saved for posterity in an instant. This model also has some fantastic creative controls, giving users the ability to personalise their images, touch up any imperfections and, of course, add a starburst filter.

LG Door-in-Door French Door Fridge (from RRP $3,299)

'Tis a lucky mother who receives a major appliance for Mother's Day! One really can't go past this amazing combination of style and substance: the French Door design allows for enormous platters and a phenomenal capacity of up to 907 litres; while the small door placed on the outside of the large door allows for quick and easy access to snacks and drinks and other oft-required items.