Buying gifts for mum is something that requires a little more than a trip to the local supermarket for a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates. In fact, if there is one thing that mothers would appreciate more than alcohol and chocolate admittedly, this comment will alienate most women who have not yet borne children it is pure and undiminished love.

Indeed, not only does love manage to make the world go round (whoever said it was inertia and gravity obviously knows very little about women), it also warms the hearts of mothers everywhere. Put more concisely, the mother is indispensable and fully deserves a thoughtful and loving present for her many years of toil and heartache. Notwithstanding this, wine and chocolate remain excellent back-up gifts for mum where love and inspiration fail.

Thus, choosing gifts invariably involves making a statement of love, affection and respect. Children have relied upon this for generations as they have discovered that their not-so-hard-earned pocket money can be saved on more selfish treats if they simply devote a little time and effort to drawing the sweetest cards ever made for the one that they call mummy.

These treasured items will no doubt be stored alongside other memorabilia in a large and dusty box, which by some odd coincidence reaches full capacity around the time those children become teenagers. Indeed, at such a moment in a child's life it is important that they do not forget about the person who brought them into the world. Buying gifts for mum, therefore, must be afforded plenty of time, effort and thought, although it is not essential for such presents to be expensive.

However, whilst the importance of buying thoughtful gifts for mum at Christmas, for her birthday or on Mother's Day should not need to be reiterated, the value of spontaneous acts of buying gifts for mum is often more significant. In fact, nothing says "I love you" quite like a completely random gift. It is a way for somebody to give a little back to the person that gave them everything and such moments are often highly cherished by the recipient mothers. Buying gifts for mum in this manner demands complete surprise.

Surprise gifts for mum can be small or large, expensive or cheap these are of little concern. In order to choose the right gift, however, it is necessary to give plenty of thought to various factors such as what the mother would enjoy, be able to make use of and does not already own. When this is taken into consideration, the hunt for that perfect gift can begin. On this point, it is usually beneficial to start the search by looking at novelty gifts that are specifically designed for mums.

Indeed, personalised Champagne hampers are perfect for sending a message of love alongside a gift that will undoubtedly be well received. This sparkling white wine from the Champagne region of France is among the most exquisite range of alcoholic beverages that can be purchased at affordable prices. Moreover, it is ideal for marking any type of special occasion so, if mum has just passed a driving test or even if she simply deserves a 'thank you' for doing something worthwhile, a vintage Champagne with her name on it will go down a treat.

Generally speaking, mothers who enjoy surprises will also enjoy variety and choice. Fortunately, there are gifts for mum available that comprise precisely that in the form of experience day choice vouchers. These presents allow mothers to choose from one of a large selection of day holidays or experiences, which include such treats as chocolate making workshops, makeovers, anti-ageing facials, cookery courses (although this might tread on her toes a little), pottery classes, golfing lessons (which may enable mothers to put their lesser halves to shame), horse racing and wine tasting.

In fact, these gifts offer a little something for all tastes and it is arguable whether providing mothers with such difficult choices is actually humane! Nevertheless, the benefits of being able to enjoy such splendid days out, which also include more adventurous pursuits such as micro light flying, rally driving, sailing and parachuting, outweigh the disadvantage of having to choose just one. Undoubtedly, a mother would fully appreciate any such gift.

Finally, buying surprise gifts for mum can promote lots of warm, fuzzy feelings for all parties involved. Rekindling the maternal bond through thoughtful and spontaneous gifts does not need to cost the Earth but it should be made with only the purest and most basic of intentions: to remind mum that she is loved.