In a candid new video, actress Daisy May Cooper has issued a heartfelt plea to end the tradition of "fake spa days" as Mother's Day gifts. The 39-year-old star of This Country and Am I Being Unreasonable? shared her personal experiences ahead of Mother's Day on March 15, highlighting what mothers genuinely want instead of well-intentioned but misguided presents.
The Worst Gift: A Hummus and Nail Polish Spa Day
Daisy recalled the "worst gift" she ever received: a DIY spa day orchestrated by her young daughter. "Then she proceeded to cover my face in jalapeno hummus, and then she got some black nail polish and proceeded to paint my eyebrows," the mum-of-three recounted with a laugh. This humorous yet telling anecdote led her to declare, "No more fake spa days!" emphasising that such gestures, while sweet, often miss the mark.
What Mums Really Want: Childcare and Reality TV
Cooper revealed that her ideal Mother's Day present is far simpler: free childcare. She confessed that her favourite gift came from her own mother, who babysat all her children for an entire Saturday. "The best present I ever got was from my mum, and she babysat all my kids for an entire Saturday while I watched reality TV. Dramas, women with lots of money, having affairs...it was blissful," she quipped. This allows her to unwind without the constant demands of parenting, a sentiment many mothers can relate to.
Practical Gift Ideas for Modern Moms
Beyond childcare, Daisy suggested more practical presents that cater to a mother's daily needs. Her top picks include noise-cancelling headphones "to drown out the kids" for a moment of peace and a red light therapy face mask, which she notes works better than any hummus facial could. These items offer genuine relaxation and utility, aligning with her call for gifts that provide real respite.
Family Life and Personal Reflections
Daisy shares daughter Pip, six, and five-year-old son Jack with her ex-husband Will Weston, and welcomed son Benji with her fiancé Anthony Higgins last June. She admitted that having a third child has "in no way" made her want more, due to the traumatic experience of Benji's premature birth. "It was terrible. It was so scary having him seven weeks premature. I don't think I've quite processed it," she told Closer magazine. Despite this, she joked that Benji is "fine now" but called him a "miserable b******" in her trademark humorous style.
Reflecting on her blended family, Daisy praised the dynamics with Anthony, who has two children from a previous relationship. "My partner Ant has got two kids from his previous relationship, and obviously I've got two kids. They get on so well and Benji connects all of the children because they're all brothers and sisters," she explained, describing her post-birth period as "mad" but "amazing."
Past Relationships and Finding Love
Daisy divorced Will shortly after Jack was born, citing that lockdown "shone a spotlight" on their marital difficulties. She admitted they both realised "there wasn't real love there" and felt pressure to marry in their thirties. Following a brief relationship with Ryan Weymouth, she found love with Anthony Higgins, a DJ from Bristol whom she met on the dating app Hinge. The couple got engaged last February, with sources describing them as "madly in love."
Collaboration with John Lewis
The video is part of Daisy May Cooper's collaboration with British retailer John Lewis, aiming to promote authentic gift ideas for Mother's Day. Marketing director Rosie Hanley commented, "Daisy May Cooper is loved for her real talk and we knew that we needed a dose of this trademark honesty to find out what mums really want this Mother's Day." This partnership underscores the brand's effort to connect with consumers through relatable and humorous content.
In summary, Daisy May Cooper's message is clear: skip the gimmicky spa days and opt for gifts that offer genuine relief and joy to mothers. Whether it's a few hours of childcare, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, or simply the chance to binge-watch reality TV, the key is to listen to what mums truly need and appreciate.
