Gifts for Mum

A closer look: Rather than a box of ready-made shades, the ten tubes form a proper mixing palette: one yellow, a warm and a cool red, a blue, a green, three earth colours, black and white. The buttery paint holds brush marks and dries to a satin finish, and it sits happily alongside artist-grade tubes if they move up later.

• 10 × 60ml tubes
• Artist-grade pigments at a lower strength
• Easy to mix
• Good coverage

What owners say: Very pigmented and easy to mix, great value, and suitable for beginners and experienced painters alike.

A closer look: Left-handed gardeners can use them as easily as right-handers, which isn’t true of every pair. A quick wipe of the blades after pruning helps the non-stick coating keep sap from building up, and at around 230g they’re light enough to carry in a pocket through a whole afternoon of deadheading.

Why we picked it: Japanese SK5 steel blades that slice through stems up to 25mm cleanly, which keeps plants healthier than a crushing cut.

• Japanese SK5 steel
• Cuts up to 25mm
• Lightweight aluminium handles
• Squeeze-to-release lock

What owners say: Extremely sharp and comfortable. Owners say they go through thick stems like a knife through butter.

A closer look: Despite the heavy leather, the shaped thumb and fingers leave enough feel to grip loppers or tie in a climbing rose. After a wet session, let them dry slowly at room temperature rather than on a radiator, which keeps the cowhide supple. When buying as a gift, a snug size gives better control than a roomy one.

Why we picked it: Elbow-length cowhide that laughs at roses, brambles and nettles. The only gloves to reach for when pruning.

• Cowhide leather
• Elbow-length cuffs
• Thorn and nettle proof
• Men’s and women’s sizes

What owners say: They really do stop thorns, brambles and holly, and they last for years.

A closer look: Five layers of EVA and foam mould around the knees, and the neoprene lining stops damp lawn soaking through. The nylon cover wipes clean and dries quickly, and the handle lets it hang on a shed hook between jobs. Quicker to shift along a border than a kneeler seat, which suits weeding.

• 5 layers of EVA and foam
• Water-resistant neoprene lining
• Wipe-clean nylon cover
• Built-in carry handle

What owners say: Many owners call it the best kneeler they’ve had: thick, comfortable, a good size and built to last.

A closer look: Wrap it with a pair of earrings or a ring already sitting in the leaf and the gift explains itself. The white glaze wipes clean, so a quick rinse brings it back if it collects dust or smudges of hand cream. Sized for a day’s rings and studs rather than a whole collection, it suits someone who wants a landing spot by the bed, not proper storage.

Why we picked it: A small glazed leaf that gives rings and earrings a home by the sink or the bed, and looks far pricier than it is.

• Glazed ceramic
• Leaf design
• About 11cm long
• For rings, earrings and keys

What owners say: Looks expensive and beautifully made, and it’s perfect on a bedside table.

A closer look: Finished, it measures about 68 by 49cm, so it needs a spare table or a puzzle board that can slide out of the way at mealtimes. With no picture to copy, sorting pieces by colour and texture early on pays off, and the clues tucked into the box-lid scene are worth studying before the first piece goes down.

Why we picked it: A Wasgij has a twist: you puzzle out what the character in the picture is seeing, not the scene on the box. Guaranteed to start a conversation.

• 1000 pieces
• Wasgij twist puzzle
• Funny scene
• Great quality pieces

What owners say: Great quality and properly addictive. Much more fun than just copying the box.

Heads up: Wasgijs are trickier than normal jigsaws, which is half the fun.

A closer look: The scent leans zesty, with lemongrass and ginger alongside the citrus, so it feels more wake-up than wind-down. Light the candle and run the bath, use the scrub before soaking in the salts, then finish with the hand cream. The soap and hand cream carry on being useful by the sink long after the bath night, and none of it contains parabens.

Why we picked it: Six full-size treats rather than tiny samples, all vegan: everything for a proper night off in the bath.

• Bath salts and bath bomb bar
• Soy wax candle
• Hand cream, body scrub and soap
• Vegan
• Gift box

What owners say: A lovely, generous gift with a gorgeous citrus scent. Owners say it feels like a proper treat.

A closer look: Fans of Ottolenghi’s food who find his longer ingredient lists daunting will get the most from it, and it sits happily next to the original SIMPLE on the shelf. Mark a page with a sticky note for the dish you’d like cooked for you: a cheeky hint that turns a cookbook into a dinner invitation.

Why we picked it: Yotam Ottolenghi’s follow-up to his hugely popular SIMPLE: big flavours, fewer ingredients and weeknight-friendly recipes.

• Hardback
• Quick, easy recipes
• Big-flavour vegetables and mains

What owners say: Brilliant and never disappointing, with recipes that are quick to make and properly tasty.

Heads up: It’s a new release, so there are fewer reviews than older favourites for now.

A closer look: Turn up the warm light in the evening for a softer, amber page that’s gentler at bedtime. It’s thin enough for a coat pocket and happy by the pool or in the bath. This version shows offers on the lock screen; a version without ads costs a little more.

• 7-inch 300ppi glare-free screen
• Adjustable warm light
• Waterproof
• Up to 12 weeks per charge
• USB-C

What owners say: Owners find it easy to set up and hold, with a clear screen and quick page turns, though views on battery life and value are mixed.

A closer look: On sizing, go half a size up if they’re between sizes or like wearing socks with their slippers. The rubber sole has a proper tread, so a trip to the washing line or the car doesn’t mean swapping shoes, and the tweed-effect upper with a little lace trim looks smarter than most slipper boots.

Why we picked it: A warm, snug boot shape with a cushioned sole, so her feet stay toasty from the first coffee to the last episode.

• Faux fur ankle collar
• Fleece lining
• Cushioned insole
• Non-slip sole

What owners say: Warm and cosy, with owners saying they feel like walking on marshmallows.