It is a wonderful sentiment, Mother’s Day. Honouring the women in your life is a beautiful thing. I get that…sort of.
The problem I have with Mother’s Day is the marketing behind the celebration. Does anyone else cringe at musical cards that play “I’m Every Woman” or “You Light Up My Life”? How about stinky (and toxic) #1 MOM scented candles or a cantaloupe fruit tree delivered to your door? Nothing says outstanding mother better than cantaloupe. Chatting with my female friends and family seems I am not alone with these thoughts.
Mother’s Day is supposed to be a happy holiday filled with appreciation, recognition and love. It can be a sad holiday too for many people, remembering the women no longer with us. Mother’s Day can remind us of how much we miss them.
While I cannot speak for all mothers, might I offer a few personal, slightly snarky Mother’s Day suggestions?
- Do not forget it. It is Sunday May 8, as in 2 days from now. Write it down. Even people that say they are not into Mother’s Day might feel crappy if you neglect to acknowledge the day.
- Do not wish your neighbour a “Happy Mother’s Day!” She is not your mom and that is kind of creepy.
- The “‘Top 20 Great Gift Ideas for Mom” articles floating around the internet and magazines are concerning. If you find yourself scanning the lists – stop! Chances are slim the women in your life had any input compiling that wish list.
- Some people think breakfast in bed is a treat, but not if you are going to leave the dirty dishes in the sink. (Can I get an AMEN ladies?) And why not go the extra mile and wash the crumb filled sheets after too? (during off-peak energy hours)
- Inviting your Mom, Granny and extended family over for dinner is a wonderful idea. Do not make your partner cook/clean for the event or at the very least, help out. Say it with me people…clean up afterward. Please note that leaving dishes to ‘soak’ does not count.
- No musical cards. Evaaah. Make your own, use recycled materials and fill it with positive gushingness. Very sweet. Trust.
- If you are going to do something for Mom, plan it today or tomorrow but not Sunday morning. Sunday morning scrambles suck.
- General rule of thumb; appliances, tools, hardware and self-improvement books are not great gifts unless the recipient specifically dreams/yearns for such an item.
- Give nothing that bears your workplace corporate logo.
- Skip the books/cards/calendars involving “100 reasons Mom’s are the BEST” – write a few yourself.
Mother’s Day is not about the gifts; it is about thought and time together (or apart!). This year I am hoping for some inflated ego talk about my greatness and the opportunity to sleep in without having to get up to let the dog out, break up a fight, feed the cat, feed my children, unplug a toilet or shoo the groundhog from the garden.
(Hint hint my dear hubby. Also, please review the “no logo gifts” point.)
What are your thoughts about Mother’s Day? Meh or yeah?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I came accross your post while surfing the net looking for a great way to surprise my wife on this special day. I must say as a dedicated husbad, a hard working family provider, community volunteer, and personal assitant to my wife and 2 daughters, I am slightly offended by your mockery of all things good. I have heard of many women who would be thrilled to receive an extra larger golf umbrella (size does matter here – imagine rain and 100mph winds…), a sweatshirt proudly displaying the company logo (yeah one size fits all but it is made of really nice material), or a baseball cap. I think women look hot in baseball caps (you with me ladies?).
Anyway – I am not sure where you get all your creative writing ideas from anyway….
Happy Mothers Day. Hope to see you at some point after my golf round and nap. love you! Hubby
What can I say? I married well. Anyone want to take odds on the chances of my Mother’s Day wishes coming true? Anyone??
I’m with you Laura – Humbug to Mother’s Day! Though I gotta say your Hubby almost changed my tune on this one. Happy Mother’s Day. How did you like your new golf clubs?
Thanks guys! First Laura for the company logo comment. (All I can see is the red jacket in my mind) and then LMK for the follow ups. I now need to go and get my environmentally friendly cleaner and paper towels to wipe the coffee off of the computer screen that I spat out while reading and laughing at this post. I love it!
) Even if it creeps you out Laura, Happy Mother’s Day! You are one of the best moms around 
)
Projectile coffee? Awesome. Thank you for the kinds words and might I add, right back at ya Kelly.
Because I love our list I would like to add something to it (as a self-employed mom): If I can write it off as a business expense, it’s not a gift
Ooh, excellent point Sara. Write offs =
I think I should have gotten my DH to read your list. At least maybe he would have done something. Anything. UGH. I am so pissed at him, but I can’t vent on facebook or twitter cause I always promised him I wouldn’t diss him online. So I am doing it here, where he’ll never find it. HE SUCKED THIS YEAR! (and work stress is not a good enough excuse!)
Oh BOO!
Now see, this is why I think the holiday is a total dud. Totally sets us up for dissapointment. You vent away Chantal…anytime. If it makes you feel better, many of the points mentioned above come from personal experience. (I’m not that imaginative!)
Hugs to you…because YOU are a fabulous Mom. He’ll get it right next year.
I like Mother’s Day but, like you, I’m not impressed with the obnoxious commercial aspect. Handmade gifts are the way to show mom you care!
This year I convinced my brother not to place an order with the florist. Together we made a donation to Unicef in our mother’s name. Instead of choosing an arbitrary amount, we picked out a few “gifts”: art supplies, emergency kits, and school exercise books. Her reaction? “What a great idea, this beats an overpriced bouquet”.
My mom always wants to help those in need but hates not knowing where her money is going. So this is a pretty good fit. I’m just glad our purchase wasn’t for useless stuff.
Great ideas Andrea.
Ha ha ha ha ha…great list. When my daughter was very young they had them write a short note at school saying why they love/appreciate mom. I loved it so much XUP Jr. has written one every year since. I look forward to that note every year…I don’t care what else she does to acknowledge the day.
Ah, XUP – so nice to see you back!!! I missed you and your witty comments.