A last-minute gifting guide for Mother’s Day 2025

Sporty action

If you are in the mood to get competitive, head to Chennai’s numerous board game cafes like The Boardroom India ( Mylapore and Anna Nagar), Gameistry in Egmore (which has over 1,000 games to choose from), Adyar’s The Board Game Lounge. Here, you can spend hours playing board games while sipping on coffee. Popular games at these cafes include Yellow Yangtze, Splendor Duel, Ten, Saltfjord, Azul: Summer Pavilion, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco, Can’t Stop, Catan: New Energies, The Red Cathedral, Space Alert, among others.

For those looking to break a sweat, book a session of pickleball at the city’s many courts. Turf Town, an app that lists all the courts in town shows 50-plus venue options for this sport in the city. Pickle On Top in Kilpauk, has a rooftop court, , just a stone’s throw away is Paddle Rattle, then there is Ice Water Sports Arena in Express Mall, providing an outdoor setting, and Smashville in Injambakkam which has tennis and pickleball courts. Ready to rally, mom?

The pickleball court at Express Avenue
| Photo Credit:
RAVINDRAN R

Always wanted to get your mother to try yoga? Here is your chance. Teri Kumar Yoga has planned a two-hour gentle yoga session this Sunday to commemorate Mother’s Day. The session comprises gentle yoga, a sound bath, post-session tea, and you get to take home a free polaroid photo of the two of you.

The session comprises gentle yoga and a sound bath
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Getty Images/iStock

The event is open to people with all levels of fitness, and asanas will be modified for those who prefer to practice seated on a chair instead of the yoga mat. Ticket is priced at ₹1,599 and includes entry for your mother and you. On May 11, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm at Ikigai The Space, Velachery. To register, WhatsApp 9003081725.

The Ground Flour’s ‘You’re My Coffee’ hamper
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Special Arrangement

Brunch with me

If your mother is still making your morning coffee for you, it is time to return the love, but with a twist. At The Ground Flour (Chennai), Chef Mansi Sanghi has curated a thoughtful ‘You’re My Coffee’ hamper. Designed as a takeaway coffee carrier, it comes with a coffee cup filled with the classic tiramisu layered with espresso soaked vanilla sponge, mascarpone cream, and an intense dark chocolate coffee ganache. Alongside, is a compartment with a wild flower bouquet. The hamper is priced at ₹800. To order, call  9150518666.

Diners at a brunch
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Getty Images

At Six ‘O’ One, The Park Chennai’s all-day restaurant, a special brunch for Mother’s Day has been planned with special giveaways for all mothers. Alongside a live band performance, diners can savour dishes such as zucchini roulade, grilled prawn, smoked salmon, mixed vegetable and tofu dim sum, spinach and ricotta rotolo, among others. For dessert, there is bingsoo, a Korean shaved ice dessert made with condensed milk, chocolate sauce, strawberry compote, dry fruits and nuts. At ₹3,099 + taxes (per person) with alcohol, and ₹2,299 + taxes without alcohol.

Hidesign’s store in Puducherry

Fashion forward

Instead of last minute shopping, (yes, it is okay if you forgot Mother’s Day!) why not custom make something. Hidesign, which retails leather bags, wallets, belts, and footwear, gives you an option to craft your own wallets, and a range of bags at their physical stores. You can choose the design, shape, leather type (sheep, goat, deer, ostrich), colour, and also add personalised elements like name tags, buckles, and emboss names. Custom wallets are priced upwards of ₹4,000 at their outlets across the country.

The Soluna Experience is planning a getaway to Goa for solo women travellers

Out and about

Everybody loves some me time. You can book a solo trip for your mother with Goa’s luxe travel company The Soluna Experience. A getaway for solo women travellers is being planned in Goa next month, which is also the best time to enjoy the State’s monsoon season. The trip will be curated for just 12 guests at a time, and includes treks and trails through the Western Ghats, walks across Goa’s villages, a taste of the local cuisine, and more. Upwards of ₹70,000. For details, call” 9972924025.

A view of the Fort Museum at Fort St. George
| Photo Credit:
JOTHI RAMALINGAM B

Want to head out but are not in the mood to cafe hop? A walking tour of the city could be a great bonding activity. Choose from the many heritage and cultural walking tours offered by the likes of Madras Inherited and Storytrails, across Georgetown, Mylapore, Marina Beach, and in Mamallapuram. These walks take you to popular sites such as Santhome Basilica, Ramakrishna Math, and Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, the lighthouse and fishing hamlets along Marina Beach, and Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, local  markets, the Armenian Church, and more in Georgetown.

The food at Ratna Cafe in Triplicane
| Photo Credit:
RAVINDRAN R

Food walks in Sowcarpet and Triplicane are another option to learn about the localities. Relish Sowcarpet’s murukku sandwiches, Thattu Idli, Alo Tikki Chaat and Raj Kachori at Kakada Ramprasad, Podi IDli and Ghee Dosa at Seena Bhai Tiffin Center, and in Triplicane, Visit the Classics Such as Ratna Cafe, and Basha Halwawala Among Other.