ALT-1 Recommended Mothers Day Gifts for 2011
As children we delighted in finding the perfect Mother’s Day gifts for Mom. Many times that gift was breakfast in bed, or flowers, or a beautiful (though not real!) necklace or bracelet. Sometimes that perfect gift was drawing, poem from the young heart, or the promise to clean the kitchen (though sometimes that promise wasn’t kept). Whatever the gift, Mom always loved it. The smile that lit up her face when she unwrapped that newspaper or construction paper, the tears and hug we received, we knew we had hit the mark and that overwhelming love was all that any child would need on that special morning.
As adults, maybe we don’t strive for that same feeling, but it sure is nice to hit that mark. The only way to do that is to truly know Mom and know what she’ll love and what she won’t love quite as much (though she’ll never ever say it!). The trick is to know the perfect flower, the perfect piece of jewelry, the perfect piece of clothing… or maybe something completely different.
Flowers and cards are probably two of the most popular Mother’s Day’s gifts. According to market research done byIBISWorld, Mother’s Day flower sales in the US top $2 billion and greeting card sales come in around $68 million. The most popular flowers to send on Mother’s Day are white carnations followed by roses, but flowers are like individual moms – unique – and choosing a flower or bouquet to give should reflect Mom’s individuality, though most moms will not turn down any flower given. For example, orchids are elegant yet tough, and will remind Mom for years to come of the beautiful gift. Calla lilies are another often overlooked, but stunning flower that will wow Mom. If Mom has a green thumb, go a plant. Orchids, as state above, are always great gifts. Or give her a bonsai tree or another plant that she will treasure in her home. The bottom line is to choose the flower – or plant - that best fits her.
Greeting cards are another great opportunity to pick just the right gift for Mom, but rather than buying one, why not make it? Many craft stores now carry DIY kits for making greeting cards. If the store doesn’t carry just the right kit, improvise with a blank card and an assortment of fun, loving accessories to glue on the outside of the card and envelope. This homemade card, though more sophisticated than the childhood handwritten construction paper, will surely bring the same smile and love from years ago.
Pampering gifts, such as spa treatments, account for $1.5 billion in sales each year (IBISworld). What woman doesn’t love to be pampered? If a full spa treatment is out of the question, a spa basket with an assortment of scented soaps, candles, bath salts, and lotions makes a wonderful gift and allows Mom to pamper herself when she has the time or feels the need. Perhaps a soft flannel pajamas set or satin robe will please Mom more, and make her feel pampered every night.
Mother’s Day jewelry sales account for 7.8% of total annual jewelry sales. That’s a lot of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings! Many stores and jewelers now sell pendants, bracelets and rings specifically for Mom. Family necklaces and birthstone pendants or rings can be customized with a figure for each child or grandchild. If Mom has a favorite necklace or rings that she constantly wears, perhaps she would prefer a special place to keep her special jewelry, such a jewelry tree or jewelry box.
With good reason, Mother’s Day is the popular day for dining out. Who would want to make Mom cook on Mother’s Day? A fabulous home-cooked meal could be a great gift in itself. Bypass the 6 out of 10 other people who will dine out this Mother’s Day (Restaurant.org) and make a special meal for Mom. Though 60% of Americans will dine out, according to Restaurant.org even among those who do not go out, 60% will still enjoy a special meal this Mother’s Day.
As far as the unique gifts go, only a mother’s family can decide what is best. Whether that special gift is a star named after her, a brand new purse, a weekend trip, or a bag full of candles, Mom will find any gift her family gives her to be a special one that comes from the heart. After all, it isn’t the gift that counts, but the thought and love put in to it.
