Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
What moms really want for Mother's Day
In less than a week, Mother's Day will be here. Started nearly 100 years ago, this day is our opportunity to celebrate the special women in our lives. Like other holidays, Mother's Day has become increasingly commercialized throughout the years, but the best ways to show appreciation to mom may require little to no money.
Marketing firm Child's Play Communications found the top gifts for Mother's Day don't have to cost a bundle. According to its poll, the following items are what most moms say would like to receive on the second Sunday of May.
- Handmade gifts: 14.6 percent
- A day off: 13.6 percent
- Spa day: 12.9 percent
The best gifts are priceless
Mothering is rewarding but intensive work. “˜Alone' and “˜quiet' can be foreign words to moms who are dealing with toddler tantrums and crying infants or chauffeuring preteens and teens on a daily basis. In between, most moms are trying to keep the house clean, put food on the table and mark items off their never-ending to-do list.
Some of the best gifts you can give a mom can be given for little or no money:
- Clean the house from top to bottom
- Take over meals for the day ““ don't forget to clean up afterward too!
- Write a sincere note expressing your appreciation for your mom or listing the important life lessons she taught you
- Help the kids create a handmade gift such as plants in a decorated clay pot or a paper flower bouquet
- Create DIY spa items such as bath salts (search the internet for recipes) and then give mom some time alone to soak in the tub
Of course, you know your Mom best. If you have a mature mom who lives alone, she may appreciate a nice lunch out plus time with the grandkids at the park. A mom “˜in the trenches' would probably be just happy to have you pack up the kids and take them to the park yourself so she can enjoy some quiet time.
Saving money on Mother's Day
My experience has been most moms simply want their hard work recognized. It's not so much that they want chocolates or flowers or a card, but they do want the sentiment that is behind the gifts. Gifts represent a tangible way to say “˜you are loved and you are valued.'
Saving money on Mother's Day gifts can be tricky. While your budget may necessitate being frugal, you certainly don't want to look cheap. Use your best judgment ““ some moms will love that you are getting a deal if you use a coupon for brunch while others may be offended by the thought they aren't worth full-price.
That said, there are many ways to save on Mother's Day gifts. Groupon, Living Social and other daily deal sites are great ways to save on fine dining, spa services and local attractions. Although a bit too late this year, unless you have a reloadable card, you can also find discounted gift cards to restaurants on websites such as PlasticJungle.com, Cardpool.com and GiftCardGranny.com.
For flowers, try creating your own bouquet using flowers from a wholesale market or the supermarket. Or visit a local greenhouse for a perennial or hanging basket.
Photos, especially keepsake items, can make great Mother's Day gifts. Both Walgreens and Meijer regularly run special promotions in their photo department that can give you up to 50 percent off canvas prints and photo journals. You can create the items from your home computer and then pick up at your local store.
While we hopefully show our love and appreciation to moms on a daily basis, Mother's Day is a special time to really focus on pampering our favorite ladies. Although fancy gifts and expensive meals are nice, remember that what mom probably wants most is for you to share your love and gratitude with her.
