It is coming up to the time of year again when I need to get together Olivia’s Aunties bags. Each year, since Olivia was 4, we have gifted my sisters something we affectionately call ‘Auntie’s Bags’. It is a way for Olivia to treat her aunties on Mother’s Day.

Last year was the 10th year of doing the bags, and over time, the bags have changed shapes and sizes and grew from what they originally were. Initially, the aunties bags were small perfumed sized gifts bags. Mostly filled with sweets but containing small token gifts for each auntie from jewellery to smellies etc.

This isn’t the case any more, and as we head towards our 11th year of gifting these bags, all rules have gone out of the window. We now do these bags for Christmas too as Olivia’s gifts to her aunties, and each time we create them, they more and more, well, absurd and outlandish if you ask me!

And you should ask me as I am the one who puts them together.

If you want to see past incarnations of aunties bags, click here to be taken to the archives. Over the past years, we have been lucky enough to have been gifted lovely items to fill the bags with. But the fact remains that despite this, I can still a lot of money on what was once a token gift, now the focal point of Christmas Day gifts and Mother’s Day too!

This year will be slightly different. As I am still at home recovering from catching COVID-19 in January, I haven’t been out and about as much hitting the sales to source the gifts. As the bags do get a tad expensive these days, I shop for them all year round and add items I pick up in sales or on offer to fill the bags.

2021 has seen me take a new approach to compile the bags. While they are different, they still embody the premise of sweets and gift inside a bag. All items gifted for this feature will be marked with a *.

2021 Aunties Bags

For this Mother’s Day, I have decided that the bag itself will be the actual gift. At Christmas, I ordered as much as possible from smaller companies. I ordered for the second time from My Rocking Kids. The first being for my sister’s birthday. I’ve once more ordered from them as the products are such good quality.

Bags

The bags are a dark grey colour with the words ‘BAE Best Auntie Ever’ on the front. They are sturdy canvas bags perfect for popping a handbag when shopping. Currently on offer for £9.99 each from My Rocking Kids.

T-shirts

Next up again from My Rocking Kid’s is these two auntie’s branded t-shirts. One of my sisters has a similar one, so I didn’t get her one, but the other two do, and now all three aunties have t-shirts identifying them as such. This specific auntie top is currently on offer for £12.99 and comes with matching niece and nephew tops too for added cuteness.

Leggings*

For my youngest sister, in place of the t-shirt is this gorgeous pair of jeggings from Love Leggings. They have expanded their already brilliant range of leggings to include jeggings, treggings and lounge pants. We are big Love Leggings fans and can see the jeggings being a big hit too! The jeggings are £25 per pair.

Mugs*

I am pretty sure I have gifted them mugs back in the early days of the bags. But who doesn’t love a good mug! These from ASDA Photo were gifted in addition to the bags, and they are absolutely perfect for my sisters! Mugs start from £7 per mug and come in many different styles to gift for any occasion with the option to personalise them to suit the recipient.

Sweets

Honestly, I think the main draw for these bags each year is the sweets. Usually, I am in the bargain sections in B&M and Wilkos, along with the Star Buys in Home Bargains getting all the offers. This year, for obvious reasons, I am not doing that. But I have still sourced some great treats to fill the bags and keep everyone happy.

Cakes

This year there will also be cakes. These treat boxes from a local cake maker are delicious, and I will be popping a small selection of similar treats in the Aunties Bags this year too.

And there we go! This year’s Happy Auntie’s Day bags are complete and ready to be gifted. Do you gift items like this to family members on special occasions? I would love to hear any new ideas you think I should try!