Wherever I go, whatever I do, at the moment I seem to be bombarded with suggestions for Mother's Day presents - from supermarkets, beauty retailers, and garden centres. There's no escape at home either, with TV and social media ads, and an e-mail in-box clogged with ideas purporting to be 'what Mum really wants'.
Flowers and chocolate. Fizz and beauty products.
That seems to be it, unless mum would like a cuddly toy. Cuddly toy? Really?
I'll forgive the cuddly toy gift if it's bought by a small child who would probably really like it for them-self. But from anyone older? No way!
 |
| Cuddly puppy? No thanks |
I'm not sure whether these ideas are sexist or just unimaginative.
Whichever, are these honestly the things 'mum' wants for Mother's Day?
I like chocolates, perfume or a huge bouquet of flowers as much as the next person, but why not think a little 'out of the box'?
A horror box-set (plenty of women watch The Walking Dead) or psychological thriller (they watch Nordic Noir, too)
Heavy metal cd (again lots of female rock fans)
If you're tempted by the range of 'experiences' on offer, why not consider something beyond the obvious spa day or afternoon tea?
Hot-air ballooning? Zorbing? Single-seater racing? Quad-biking?
A family day out paintballing or swinging through trees?
You'll see them all advertised when it's Father's Day, but I'm sure a lot of mums would enjoy them too.
If I were younger and fitter I'd said yes to any of them (well, not the ballooning, I'm too scared of heights)
In her youth my mother (she's now 96) would have loved a few fast laps of a race track as pillion-passenger on a race-bike.
Oddly, while I've been ranting over this to anyone who'd listen, my husband spotted a sensible, mature suggestion for a Mother's Day present - a subscription to New Scientist.
- at least someone is thinking outside the box!
So, mums out there, what would YOU pick?
My rant about Mother's Day is that it is mis-named. It's Mothering Sunday - the middle Sunday of Lent. Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries at another time, usually in May. It also annoys me when the "Boxing Day tsunami" is mentioned. The tsunami happed on December 26th but it was not Boxing Day as it cannot be on a Sunday and that yeat Boxing Day was on the Monday 27th. Sorry rant over!
ReplyDeleteI can't be bothered with a lot of the tat that get's hauled out on Mother's Day either Mary. I love the idea of a subscription to New Scientist too and any outing to the theatre would be great. Thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and commenting, Sharon. Maybe in part this has become just another over-hyped, over-commercialised event (see the range of cards you can send from your dog or cat!) but a little thought goes a lot further than cash.
DeleteI agree Mary. What I rather loved during the Primary years was that we had a 'wrap' at school for such events. The children paid a couple of pounds and came to the 'shop' to choose their own gift. It was a delight to be involved with this. It made my heart sing to see the children choosing their own gifts. For me, it's not about the present. The gesture, the thought. I could go on but I'm going to start sounding all old-fashioned!! Thanks for sharing with #tweensteensbeyond
ReplyDeleteI love that idea, and I also love the hand-made cards and small presents that younger children make. It's the mass-produced unwanted rubbish that annoys me!
DeleteI couldn't agree more Mary, every year I tell my teens to think outside the box and be creative - this year my gift was a nutri-bullet which they thought would help with my recovery. My verdict? Inspired! #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds like an excellent idea. As you say, thinking outside the box, and choosing something with you in mind. I hope it proves useful xx
Delete