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Top 10 Worst Mother’s Day Gifts
The only day marked by worse gifting than Mother’s Day is Father’s Day. But, that is for a different article. If you want to save yourself some grief, put a genuine smile on your mom’s face, and walk away from Mother’s Day a hero, here are 10 gift items you will take a vow to avoid.
1. Household Appliances
It may have been funny when Barney of the Andy Griffith Show bought his mother a septic tank as a gift, but household necessities are a terrible idea for a Mother’s Day gift. “But mom needs a vacuum cleaner,” you might argue. If she does and can’t afford one herself then just be a good child any day of the week and give her one. Giving her a new vacuum cleaner, food processor, or any other household accessory may seem like the sort of practical gift she’d love on that one special day of the year but it isn’t. Of course she’ll tell you she loves it. She’s your mom. But when you leave she’ll wonder why you couldn’t think of something more personal.
2. Exercise Equipment
Your mother has Home Shopping Network and probably passes a gym every day if she wants to lose weight or get in shape. There’s a reason chocolates are always popular at Mother’s Day. Chocolate says, “You look great and deserve some indulgence.” A treadmill says, “I love you, but you really could use losing some weight.”
3. A Beauty Makeover
See #2. If you want to give your mom something like this, buy her a gift certificate to a day spa. That way she can think you gave it to her so she can pamper herself a bit. Most day spas offer makeovers but she gets to choose if she wants or needs it. But making her an appointment with a beautician for a makeover only reminds her of how the years have rolled by since you left home. Like a day spa the best choice in this area is to give her a gift certificate to her favorite stylist and let her decide what she want done when she gets there.
4. Gift Certificates
Nothing, “I hate shopping and waited till the last minute to get you something,” like a gift certificate to Target. This rule is only voided if you give her a gift certificate for something she would never spend for on herself. Know of a show coming to town that she’s always wanted to see but would never think of laying down the money for herself? Buy her the tickets (and throw in Dad’s while you are at it). This satisfies your, “I hate shopping,” problem and gives her something to remember as well.
5. Fruit of the Month Club
The very first episode of Everybody Loves Raymond involved Raymond giving his parents a fruit of the club membership. The results were funny and disastrous. A box of fruit with a 3 inch summer sausage is something bosses buy employees. Like a gift certificate, these kinds of gifts are seldom considered a gift by your mom.
6. Anything from Linens and Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, or any other Store like Them
Most of these gifts might as well have, “Okay, I shopped for you but not very hard. And if you do go there at least don’t buy any of those cheap gift sets of bath salts and votive candles. Men, in particular, always think these are great gifts and can never understand why their mother’s smile seems a little fake when they open the present. If you do go to one of these stores, at least take the time to buy a basket and put together a gift that says you actually had to think about what went in it. If mom loves tea, fill a basket with a special cup and an assortment of her favorites.
7. Perfume and Lingerie
How children started giving their moms this kind of gift is a mystery. Perfume and lingerie are not Mothers Day gifts! Anniversaries from husbands to their wives? Yes. Same goes for birthdays, Christmas or when dad is in the doghouse. But kids to their moms? No way.
8. Anything Automotive
Moms don’t want new wiper blades or even floor mats. Same goes for a new set of tires, gift certificate for an oil change, car detailing, or anything else associated with their car. All of these things should be taken care of anyway. There is one noted exception to this rule. The one automotive gift any mother would love on Mother’s Day is the keys to that convertible she always wanted but spent the money on raising you and your siblings instead.
9. Homemade Coupon Books
Yes, these are popular and okay for small children. But for teenagers and adults these smack yet another indication you either spent your money elsewhere or didn’t take the time to shop. The idea of offering free housecleaning, dishwashing or dog walking is nice. But once again, shouldn’t kids be doing that for mom anyway?
10. Diet Books
See #2 again. How to Lose 30 lbs in 30 Days will not endear you to your mother. Ever! If you want to buy her a book, buy her a set of her favorite author. Don’t get her a gift certificate to the local book store. Once again a gift should take some time and thought. If she really wants to read and you want to wow her, give her a Kindle or Nook along with a gift card to buy a few books to go with it. But whatever you do – do not give her anything associated with losing weight, or getting healthier, or looking better. You get the picture.
And you have nailed it with the top 10 worst list as well. Hope everyone reads this before they make momma sad!
This is a great list. I need every bit of help I can get. <
PS — I've already violated #1 and #6 in the past. My bad.