This year marks the 30th anniversary of children's classic Five Minutes' Peace, the tale of elephant mum-of-three Mrs Large's attempt to escape her manic household with a bubble bath.

That the book's remained popular for three decades just goes to show: all most mummies really want is a bit of alone time in the tub, to melt away the stresses of the day.

So this Mother's Day, give mum the excuse to indulge, with a gift that will hopefully bring her much more than five minutes' peace...

BATHING BUNDLE

Make a pampering pic 'n' mix by gathering a bundle of bath time treats in a pretty gift box.

Lush's new Flowering Tea Bubble Bar, £4.95, is a quirky alternative to bubble bath, and reusable too. Run it under hot water and the 'bag' bursts, releasing blue cornflowers and a divine neroli and rosewood oil fragrance (www.lush.com).

Heyland & Whittle's Shea Butter Bath Melt Gift Box, £20, contains seven petal-packed melts that dissolve to infuse your bath with lavender, rose or marigold scent (www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk).

L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Soft Balm, £4, is a rose scented moisturiser specially launched to mark International Women's Day. Profits go to projects in Burkina Faso, where the shea butter is produced (www.loccitane.com).

LIGHT RELIEF

There's something so relaxing about a bath by candlelight, especially if that flickering flame also scents the air.

Light Rituals' new Hammam Secret Candle, £21, close your eyes and let the wafts of eucalyptus and rosemary transport you to a tranquil Turkish bath (www.rituals.com).

On even the coldest winter night, Cocolux Coconut Wax Tropical Gardenia Candle, £55 (RoullierWhite.com), which uses organic, sustainable coconut wax and a recyclable copper vessel, conjures dusk on an island beach.

WORTH YOUR SALT

Initially a foodie fad, the Himalayan salts trend has hit the beauty counters with Aromatherapy Associates' vetiver and camomile scented Deep Relax Himalayan Bath Salts, £42. Formed millions of years ago, these salts are incredibly pure, and containing 84 different minerals plus essential oils, they'll leave your skin soft, muscles relaxed and mind calm (available March 1; www.aromatherapyassociates.com)

FIZZ BUZZ

Lush's Just for Mum Gift Set, £23.50, contains five bath bombs that fizz your tub into a technicolour froth, including the reviving green Guardians Of The Forest (with cypress oil and lime) and the pastel perfection of Twilight, which releases a soothing lavender and sweet tonka bean aroma (www.lush.com).

THE POWER OF THREE

Bringing ancient Ayurvedic principals to modern skincare, the Urban Veda Reviving Body Rituals Collection, £29.99, combines a pumice and peach-filled scrub with rose damask scented body wash and lotion in a floral skin-cleansing trio (www.urbanveda.co.uk).

BAG IT UP

Containing six spa-worthy treats (including bath milk, body polisher and body butter), Baylis and Harding Skin Spa Weekend Bag, £19.99, Asda, is all mum needs for top to toe at-home indulgence. The magnolia and pear blossom scented set comes with a stylish weekend bag and phone purse too (in store only; www.asda.com).

BOXING CLEVER

If mum is so selfless that she'll never set aside time for herself at home, you'll have to lure her out of the house with the promise of a relaxing treatment. The Buyagift Pamper Treat Smartbox, £29.99, lets her choose from more than 120 options, including a hair cut, make-up masterclass, mani or pedi, or even half a day at a spa, so she's sure to find something that floats her boat (www.buyagift.co.uk).

TRIED AND TESTED

A hydrating body lotion is all the more important during winter. Our testers slather on three all-over moisturisers...

:: Korres Basil Lemon Body Milk, £9 (www.johnlewis.com)

"The perfect pick-me-up for skin during the colder months, this body milk combines almond oil and shea butter to provide suppleness and lasting hydration. Its enriching, thick texture is quick-absorbing and for someone who typically avoids citrus scents, I was pleased to find the zesty fragrance light and fresh."

4/5

:: Melvita Hydrating Body Veil, £15 (www.melvita.com)

"During winter when my legs are hidden beneath tights all the time, I tend to end up with dry, flaky shins, but this light, milky lotion soon fixed that problem. Delightfully rose scented, it soaks in straight away, taking with it dry patches and leaving smooth, soft skin."

4/5

:: Kiehl's Creme de Corps, £27 (www.kiehls.co.uk)

"Rich and hydrating, this thick creme is ideal for dry winter weather. Despite its consistency, it doesn't feel greasy or heavy, but melts into the body easily giving skin a silky gleam. After using once a day for a week, my skin felt wonderful. Definitely a hero product."

5/5

BUY IT NOW

Before going solo, A.V. Robertson worked for Marc Jacobs, which is probably how she scored the coup of using her former boss' make-up range at her debut London Fashion Week show. The bleached eyebrows and floating eyeliner combo isn't for everyone, but the artfully smudged Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer, £19, certainly is. The entire long-awaited Marc Jacobs Beauty collection is now available at Harrods and online (www.harrods.com).

BEAUTY BULLETIN

:: WHO INSPIRES YOU?

As part of Women for Women International's She Inspires Me campaign, in the week leading up to International Women's Day on March 8, for every person who shares on social media the woman who inspires them most, campaign partner Elemis will donate £1 to the charity. Tag your tweets or photos with #SheInspiresMe, @womenforwomenUK and @Elemis, and follow the hashtag to read about other inspirational women around the world.

STEAL OF THE WEEK

Whether you want to treat mum or need a bit of feet-up time yourself, the Carmen Massaging Foot Spa will get the job done, and until Mother's Day it's just £29.99, reduced from £49.99 (www.carmen-products.co.uk).