THE shortlist

CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY

FROM THE POCKET ...

Picture this: have a photograph of yourself as a child sketched, and framed for your mother. Art Search Ltd (0181 969 9844) will put you in touch with a local artist. Prices vary.

Wine-ing: Symbolise the year she became your mother with a vintage bottle of wine from the year you were born. The Wine Gift Company (01705 232222) have wines dating back to 1880; prices vary.

Flowery: Rather than send flowers to your mum, send your mum to the flowers. Book a weekend trip to a Dutch tulip field. Flight with 2 nights in a 4-star hotel in the Naaldwijk bulb fields (including breakfast and evening meal) will cost around pounds 239. Contact Sundail Travel 0126 686808 for details.

M'Lady: Hire a chauffeur and limo and take her out. Meanwhile, get professional cleaners to: descale the bathroom, de-grease cupboard tops, shampoo carpets and clean windows. (Surprise her, otherwise she'll clean up before they arrive.) Prices vary; look in your Yellow Pages for local firms.

Choc-mad: Buy the ultimate box of chocolates. An 18in x18in heart-shaped box made of chocolate will cost pounds 120 from Harrods. Fill the box with truffles for a further pounds 50. Telephone/credit card orders: 0171- 225 5857.

Love letter: Write a long "Dear Mum" letter. Tell her how much you love her and how no other mother can compare ... then send it!

Obscure: Find a decent job and propose to that nice boy/girl your mother always liked (particularly good if you're work-shy and/or gay).

All together: Get your whole family together and don't argue.

Mother knows best: Over a cuppa ask her advice on your problems. She'll probably list your past mistakes, and you may not take her advice, but she'll be flattered.

Compiled by Dorothy Koomson