Mothers' Day: gift etiquette

Hedgehog99

It's definitely the thought that counts. Admittedly, Poundland & co could be a bit limited on what they might have that's a suitable gift, but if you see the perfect thing you know she'd love, then great.

I one went to get my friend a wedding present. On the wedding list, it said the item was £12 from Argos (this was a while ago!). When I got there, there was a sale & the printed catalogues said £9, but when I got to the till, it was only £3. Still, it was the exact item my friend asked for.

meritaten

my mil died some years ago - my mother died last summer so I don't have anyone to buy for. I am finding it really hard with all the 'reminders' around.
still, I am a mum myself - and I wouldn't care if it was just a card or something I wanted or needed and it came from a charity shop or poundy. its the thought behind the gift/card that matters. I am truly blessed as all my kids and grandkids make an effort to get me flowers or my favourite chocolates (Thorntons continental - they are the only boxed chocs I really like). I occasionally get surprised by totally off the wall gifts from DD - Like the wine glass that holds a whole bottle of wine! but it makes a terrific vase!

balletshoes

tea_lover wrote: »

The value of my mum couldn't possibly be expressed in monetary terms.

She'd far rather have a visit, a homemade card, a phone call, a chat, etc. than some overpriced flowers and generic gift.

agreed, and as a Mum, so would I!

LilElvis

I know I'm getting a home-made card from my 5 year old - I caught a glimpse of it in her book bag when she came home from school.

I actually don't want anything else as just being a Mummy is the greatest gift I have ever received. It might sound sickly sweet, but for a long time I never thought it would happen and something I am thankful for every day. It has also made me appreciate my Mum so much more, and I will tell her that on Sunday.

jumpingjackd

I dont want expensive gits but a lovely card always appreciated. Wouldnt bother if gift came from poundland if it was appropriate but would be insulted if it came from there "just for the sake of it"

Dizzy_Ditzy

queen_of_cheap wrote: »

My mum would be happy with anything I did for her. In previous years, I've bought her several bunches of flowers and annoyed her because she didn't have enough vases :rotfl:

This year is a bit different because I have no job and zero income so I'll make her something nice, which she'll love regardless.

Whereas my brother and his wife will go all out to buy her the tackiest nastiest stuff ever that will sit in a cupboard until the enth of never *sigh*

I know it's bad etiquette to quote oneself but I thought I'd update - tonight I have chosen two printable cards, 1 x A5 and one smaller. I have added my own decoration to the bigger one, coloured in the smaller one and tomorrow I'll stick the big one to its card and the little one inside.

She's getting young tomato and chilli plants that I've been growing for a month. She's also getting some gift cheque things for when my finances are a bit happier.

Cost to my purse - zero. She'll love what I'm doing for her and appreciate it more than any old tack that she'll be given otherwise (and yes, it is a competition between me and my brothers as they are useless and I often have to overcompensate to make up for them :mad:)

HurdyGurdy

My kids have always had it drummed into them that they are never, ever, to spend even a penny on me for Mother's Day. I hate the total schmaltz of it all and the forced nature of it.

When they were little, they were told I only wanted things they'd made themselves - cards, tea, toast etc , and now they're older, I really don't want anything more than their time - and still lots of tea.

I do make an effort for my daughter/granddaughter, as she is a single parent and the father of her child wouldn't make any kind of effort, and as my granddaughter isn't 5 yet, then there wouldn't be anything done. It is important to my daughter, so I make the effort for her.

I also used to make the effort for my mum, when she was with us, as it was very important to her. More for "bragging rights" amongst my aunties, I think, but what the heck. It made her happy, which made me happy.

I hate over commercialisation of festivals/days, and would do anything rather than get caught up in it. Christmas in August, is a prime example. Don't even get me started

seven-day-weekend

Never mind the flowers and chocolates. My son bought me a bottle of gin and a bottle of Baileys. Excellent

On-topic, I think if it is something that your mum likes it doesn't matter whether it's from Poundland or second-hand.

minimacka

For mothers day I usually buy my mum a voucher to have her hair cut and blowdry, this year she got the voucher, a hand made vase with flowers in and I am going to put her mothers day, birthday and Christmas present together and buy her some dollars so that she can treat herself when she goes to New York in November. My mum had a heart attack at the end of last year and I am extremely lucky for her to be still here. I love her to the moon and back she never asks for anything and that's probably why I like to spoil her.


My mother in law got a theatre ticket to see a show and we are going to take her to the pre-show meal before hand. She also got the hand made vase with flowers in and some chocolates. They are both 70 this year and I hope that we have many more mothers day left to spoil them both as I love them both to bits. x

Former_MSE_Andrea

Kaye1 wrote: »

This year, I couldn't think of anything I wanted.

So last week, we went to the local pottery painting place. My eldest painted a little pot for my change (I wanted something like that) and my toddler painted me a cat.

We had a brilliant time together- my youngest painted a cat beautifully then decided to give it a red collar- so it then looked like it had been murdered. We giggled our heads off at my dead cat(!!!) so I am looking forward to having a reminder of the fun we had.

We had a 10% discount, so it all came in at £20. I think we will 'do' something each year from now on, rather than just buying for the sake of it.

Love this!

We were the same - I got Lindt chocolates which, don't get me wrong, have been very much appreciated - but most of all I enjoyed the "doing" more than the "receiving".

My other half isn't a huge cinema-lover so doesn't come with me and the kids that often. I took the opportunity of it being "my day" to encourage him to go.

We saw Kung Fu Panda in 3D and he loved it. Jack Black being in it probably helped!