This Mother’s Day, Mums across the UK are set to be treated like royalty, with new research from Etsy revealing that almost half (49%) of the UK plan to make breakfast in bed for their Mum, in a bid to make this year extra special.
More than a third (37%) of the UK population say this will be the first time they will be spending Mother’s Day with their Mum in two years, with over half (51%) saying they want to treat their Mum in an extra special way this year as they spent last year apart.
Breakfast in bed is scoring high on the list of most-wanted activities for Mother’s Day this year, with some of the top reasons being that Mums say it is made with love (22%) and that meals are more enjoyable when you don't have to cook them yourself (20%).
It seems that presentation is key for the all-important breakfast spread, with almost half (49%) insisting that how the tray of food and drink looks is just as important as how it tastes, with 38% saying a breakfast in bed spread simply isn’t complete without fresh blooms.
With presentation being a high priority, but causing many to scratch their heads about where to start, Etsy’s research is indicating that ‘trayscaping’ will be a big focus for Mother’s Day this year. The new trend is all about creating a beautifully styled tray for those under-the-duvet breakfasts, helping to provide a memorable start to the day and put a smile on Mum’s face.
One in five (20%) claim that they would love to treat the leading lady in their life, whether that be a Mum, Grandma, or Stepmum, to a delicious spread this year – but don’t feel confident that they can make it well, or don’t know how to make the tray look beautiful.
The research revealed that crumbs in the sheets (18%), unbalanced trays (15%), and spilt drinks (14%) are some of the biggest blunders experienced when rustling up a tray of breakfast treats, showing that there’s plenty of room for improvement this Mother’s Day.
What’s more, search data from Etsy suggests the nation could be planning an extra special breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day. There has been a 4,672% increase in searches on Etsy for family bud or stem vases, a 77% increase in searches on Etsy for personalised napkins and a 57% increase in searches on Etsy for recipe plates or dishes.**
Etsy’s Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson, said: “Just in time for Mother’s Day, there’s a new trend we’re about to see everywhere: trayscaping. While many have embraced tablescaping – or even ‘picnic-scaping’, a popular choice for outdoor gatherings amid restrictions – over the last few years, trayscaping is all about elevating a classic breakfast in bed to create a memorable dining experience right at home”.
Dayna has provided five top tips to ‘trayscape’ to perfection this year:
- Choose the right tray . You can’t have breakfast in bed without having the perfect tray. Not only does a tray make the base to your breakfast spread, but it can even double as a gift for mum. On Etsy, you can find a range of beautiful hand-crafted options to suit your mum’s own personal style – whether she prefers modern designs, pastel colours, or intricate details like scalloped edges.
- Create visual interest. Designing a balanced layout is key to creating an extra special – and social media-worthy – breakfast spread. Consider adding dimension with various heights and shapes, while also incorporating pops of colour, whether with a glass of brightly-hued orange juice or a vase filled with vibrant flowers.
- Personalise your spread. Show your mum how much she means to you by adding extra-thoughtful details to your trayscape – like a personalised napkin, her favourite flowers, or an adorable custom-painted family bud vase. Sellers on Etsy offer personalised gifts and a variety of price points, making it easy to find special items while adding a bespoke touch to your spread.
- Get creative with your tableware . One of my go-to tips for both trayscaping and tablescaping is to mix-and-match dishware sets to create a display that is both fun and memorable. If you have some vintage tea cups or special cutlery in the cupboard that are rarely used, this is the time to give them their moment!
- Don’t go overboard . Quality over quantity is key to avoiding an awkward and impractical spread. While you’ll need to include the essentials – like dishware, cutlery, and a mug – I recommend adding just a handful of small, yet impactful, additional details to make your trayscape really pop without it feeling cluttered. At the end of the day, your trayscape should be as practical as it is beautiful.
