Most of us are still reeling at figures released this week as part of the banking stress test. The official line – I believe – is that our banks owe, oh, somewhere approaching bazillions. Which means of course that realistically we owe bazillions. Specifically, you and I, via our paychecks. If we’re lucky to have such rare and coveted slips of paper. Fun news, isn’t it? 
The point is, if anybody’s thinking of celebrating Mother’s Day at home, no one can blame you, and we’ve put together a short list of the best offers available in the supermarkets to give your Mum that special Sunday from the comfort of her home,without breaking the bank.
Starting with Aldi, who have flowers from €3.99 (little funky pots more than flowers) and 
go up through €5.99 (for roses) to €9.99 (including lilies) all the way up to ‘luxury’ bouquets at €19.99, although to be honest, the prettiest bunch is by far the Classic Rose Bouquet at €5.99, bargain! The usual choccies start at €4.99, wine dirt cheap as usual, cava at €8.99 if she’s getting bubbly in bed, but the most appealing has to be the Double Stem Orchid at €10.99 (in a wee ceramic pot with gift bag) which at €10.99 is a cute and affordable gift for the mammy.
Onto Dunnes, who have a selection of fresh flowers from €3.99, and half price choccies. Cards start at €1 and there’s a range of wines starting at just €6.
Tesco, who received quite the media thrashing this week, have gone all doe-eyed, with a Mother’s Day special, including a really nice recipe list to boot. Special offers include €30 Taittinger champagne for the label-loving mummies, and a meal deal offering two starters, two sides, a main and a dessert for €10. Half price choccies and €1 cards are on offer too.
Marks and Spencer, I recently discovered, manage a Facebook page, in the tiniest nod possible to the existence of their Irish customers (see my M&S rant here). So according to this, their Mother’s Day offer includes dinner for four for €20. You can choose a roast joint, a large side dish, a dessert for four and bottle of vino or non-alcoholic alternative. Not bad if you’re feeling lazy or time-pressured.
Lidl has some lovely flowers, including tulips from just €2.99 and going all the way up to the luxury bouquets at €19.99. If it’s bubbly you’re after, they have the real stuff for just €14, or a very decent subsitute in prosecco at €6.79. Choccies inlcude Ferrero Rochers at €4.99 and After Eights for just under €3. Nyom.
Over in Superquinn they’ve got Mother’s Day wrapped up in the simplest way possible. It’s pure genius actually. A cheese. AND wine. Sale. Temptation, thy name is Quinn.
Images via www.aldi.ie and www.superquinn.ie