Don’t Buy Her Flowers x Funky Pigeon: Mother’s Day 2024

Today we catch up with Steph, the founder of Don’t Buy Her Flowers, who are on a mission to get people thinking more about the gifts they give for a more thoughtful gifting experience, going beyond the typical presents that people associate with significant occasions, hence the name – Don’t Buy Her Flowers! We’re excited to be working with Steph to bring you some new ideas for your Mother’s Day gifts this year. So, let’s jump in and get to know the newest Funky partner and the creative minds behind the ideas!

Don’t Buy Her Flowers: The story behind the idea

I’m Steph, I’m the founder of thoughtful gift company Don’t Buy Her Flowers.

When I had my first baby, I was given eight beautiful, well-meant bouquets. I was overwhelmed, exhausted, sore and worried I was doing everything wrong and it struck me as bonkers that you’re given another thing to care for, when you’re doing more caring than you’ve ever done in your life. I wanted to create gifts that were more thoughtful, that put the recipient at the centre of the gift.

I started as gifts for new mums, at the time packing gift boxes on my bedroom floor with my small kids running around trying to ‘help’. We quickly had customers wanting to send care packages for lots of other occasions – get well, bereavement, birthdays – and to men, kids, work colleagues as well as women and I now have a brilliant team and warehouse in Gloucestershire. Our mission is thoughtfulness and encouraging the recipient to take a bit of time for themselves, whether that’s to celebrate or because they’re going through something difficult.

How does this influence how Don’t Buy Her Flowers looks at gifting?

When we put together a gift box, we think about how the products work together and how they let someone know that the sender recognises that they could do with a bit of help to look after themselves. The world is fast-paced and we’re always ‘on’ so gifts that say ‘hey, I see you and I think you deserve a bit of time to yourself with these treats I’ve chosen’ mean a lot. We get lots of reports of recipients crying when they receive one of our gift boxes, because they know someone has really thought about them. On our website, customers can put together completely bespoke gifts so they really know that the recipient will love each item.

What gift ideas would you recommend for someone for this Mother’s Day?

Think about what she loves – is it delicious treats, a good gin, curling up with a good book, cosy socks? Does she love, and more importantly does she deserve, a pamper and a bit of time to treat herself? Things that you know she will enjoy and doesn’t often give to herself because she’s busy putting everyone else first, really let her know that you’ve noticed that and you appreciate that, and you think she should have a bit of time to herself.

Really it’s thinking about Mum’s wants and needs rather than what’s traditional, what are her likes and dislikes and what is she not great at giving herself? Through our website customers can add a personal note which is handwritten on the gift tag. With Funky Pigeon, you can add a note or card so including some words about why mum is so brilliant goes a long way. That can be one of the toughest things about being a mum – you don’t have an appraisal about the things you’re doing well!

People know when you’ve chosen a gift that is about them. When you’ve recognised how they might be feeling, what they need. It doesn’t have to be flashy or crazy expensive – personal means so much more. When you get it right and they love it, it’s a brilliant feeling for the recipient and the giver.

What are some Mother’s Day gift ideas or considerations for new mums or mums-to-be?

Having a baby is wonderful – I have three of them and I promise you they are my greatest achievement – but they are also exhausting and unpredictable and when it’s new, new mums can often feel lost and lonely and are often really tough on themselves. Some people also have a really hard time in pregnancy. It’s a confusing time because you know that this is an amazing thing and how lucky you are, but it can still feel hard.

I believe new mums need looking after, encouraged to take time for themselves, and reassurance that it’s going to be ok (you will sleep again!) and most importantly of all, that they are doing a great job. So gifts that are about mum and helping her take that time plus lovely kind words, that is a winning combination.

The Mum-to-be Little Comforts gift box includes gorgeous calming bath salts for her weary body, a self-heating eye mask for tired eyes, delicious chocolate for an energy hit and the softest bamboo socks – a little hug in a box to soothe her body.

The Best New Mum Gift Box has a refreshing morning rescue tea for when she’s feeling bleary eyed, Bath salts to relax in, soothing rich body lotion, chocolate – again for that energy hit – and the cutest little socks for baby.