Sachi Jayatilleke offers inside scoop on why traditional Mother’s Day gifts are sometimes off the mark.
She was the only woman in your life throughout your formative years and now it’s your turn to give back a little something to the person who made you what you are today. It’s only one day a year so don’t screw up by getting her a gift that is lamer than an abandoned donkey.
Follow this guide to make sure you shine like ‘Golden Child’ on Mother’s Day!
- Appliances
Unless something has been suggested/requested/strongly hinted at NEVER buy your mother a kitchen appliance for Mother’s Day. This just sends over the message loud and clear that Mum cooks and cleans and ‘hey guess what mum? You can make me something on your day off with this new appliance and for the rest of your life I expect you to bake and cook’. When you leave home, mum can look forward to having her own life again and not having to make her own dinner, in fact she may choose to eat out to make up for all those years of disguising vegetables in your dinner. As I said unless she really, really wants some sort of kitchen appliance then steer clear of the kitchen department.
- Do not cook for her in her home
The one thing a mum can never do is simply let you get on with it – you are still her baby remember and she will be concerned that you are A) messing up her pristine kitchen. B) Will want to help you c) will have you asking her every two minutes where she keeps the XYZ? The best way to indulge your mum on Mother’s Day is to take her out for a meal somewhere nice. Whether it is her favourite restaurant or somewhere she has always wanted to visit. Even better if it is somewhere really swanky where she would never expect to dine. Obviously make sure you have the funds to do the latter otherwise it is not cool for mum to foot the bill on Mother’s Day.
- Gift Card Fail
Presenting your Mum with a hallmark card and a gift card from the department store, smacks of last minute panic buying. It shows a lack of imagination and effort. If you must buy her a gift card so she can treat herself, then treat her to a personalised shopping spree at a local boutique. Many offer this service on an evening after hours, where your mum and the boutique owner/member of staff can help her choose an outfit, sip a glass of fizz and select something up to an agreed price (which you will have set in advance). Now that is more like it, luxury shopping as opposed to getting crushed in the Marks and Spencer’s changing room.
- Crap Flowers
Service station carnations are not cool and to a point quite disrespectful-usually past their best, thin and far from quality. If you must buy your mum flowers then make it an over the top bouquet of her favourite variety or colour. Even if you are far away from your mum you can still show her you care by sending her a tailor-made bouquet of her favourite flowers – wherever in the world she is. Surprise her by having them delivered to her home – even if you are seeing her at some point that day.
- Sickly Sweet
Don’t present her with some half price any name chocolates. If you must present her with something sweet then make it a luxury brand that has kudos. On the whole chocolates are a bit unimaginative and they reek of last minute buying (see flowers). Another no- no is something with a message emblazoned across the front i.e. a giant cookie with ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ written in chocolate, it’s a bit immature – you may as well make her a dried pasta necklace to go with it. Also be sensitive to the fact that she may be watching her weight – on an equal footing don’t buy her anything that may indicate that you think she needs to slim down. No Spanx, contour clothing or membership to weight watchers please.
- Be There
It may not be possible for you to jet across the globe if you live far from your Mother but if you are not too far then there is no excuse for not visiting. Surprise her by turning up on her door step and take her out somewhere nice for the day. Take her for lunch and/or afternoon tea. Whatever you do don’t turn up on her doorstep and expect her to run around after you all day. She’s been doing this most of her life for you; it’s time to show her you are a real grown-up now and you appreciate everything she has done for you. Don’t ruin the moment by presenting her with a gift card, service station flowers and a new blender.
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Lead photo: Flickr/Steven Depolo
Vacuum photo: Flickr/butkaj.info
Flowers photo: Flickr/Noble Gill