Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
May 11th 2008, 1:54 pm
#1
who turned out the light?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: WA
Posts: 7,997
Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
Maybe its my old age making me cynical or my recent bombardment with ads (buy this diamond necklace for $200 for mothers day) or shows (Martha Stewart -as well as flowers and chocolates these gifts are good - among them a $500 camera 
) - that is making me a bit 'anti' Mother's day.
Was it that long ago that a homemade card and breakfast in bed was enough then when older maybe a bunch of flowers and a card? Then it seemed taking your Mum out for lunch was expected then a bit nicer presents.
Will we including your Mum after years of being exposed to ads and 'buy this' shows, the more expensive presents will become expected? Is this a good thing - she deserves it? Or does it take away from the meaning of Mother's Day to just tell your Mum how you feel.
What do you do on Mother's day - a card, flowers or more?
And Happy US Mother's day to you Mums
- just a simple message but a sincere one - bringing up children in this day and age is a tough task.
) - that is making me a bit 'anti' Mother's day.Was it that long ago that a homemade card and breakfast in bed was enough then when older maybe a bunch of flowers and a card? Then it seemed taking your Mum out for lunch was expected then a bit nicer presents.
Will we including your Mum after years of being exposed to ads and 'buy this' shows, the more expensive presents will become expected? Is this a good thing - she deserves it? Or does it take away from the meaning of Mother's Day to just tell your Mum how you feel.
What do you do on Mother's day - a card, flowers or more?
And Happy US Mother's day to you Mums
- just a simple message but a sincere one - bringing up children in this day and age is a tough task.
May 11th 2008, 2:09 pm
#2
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Lake County IL
Posts: 1,953
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
I got a baby food jar full of colored sand and a card in which she had written the alphabet until R then got bored and given up...classic!
Past presents have included diamond jewellery but that was before she was old enough to make stuff herself and daddy was in charge!
I think holidays in general are way over the top in this country. If they can make a card for it they will. I mean Walgreens has an aisle permanently dedicated to holiday items. And it annoys me that there will not be a free table in any single restaurant for lunch today!
Past presents have included diamond jewellery but that was before she was old enough to make stuff herself and daddy was in charge!
I think holidays in general are way over the top in this country. If they can make a card for it they will. I mean Walgreens has an aisle permanently dedicated to holiday items. And it annoys me that there will not be a free table in any single restaurant for lunch today!
May 11th 2008, 2:22 pm
#3
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Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Chicago, Il
Posts: 1,320
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
i think holidays in the US are ALL excuses for boosting sales and i think it is slowly eroding any value to the holidays themselves.
when i was young mothers day was a day to give mother a vacation. You'd handle ALL the daily tasks and bring her breakfast in bed, a small card accompanied by a well mannered kiss and hug.
these days an ipod or a cell phone is the "expected" level of gift.
This morning my kids and i spent 2 hours making cards for my wife... they are 4 & 5 and they thoroughly loved it. Now i'm off to make her the breakfast i know she misses from when we lived in LA.
when i was young mothers day was a day to give mother a vacation. You'd handle ALL the daily tasks and bring her breakfast in bed, a small card accompanied by a well mannered kiss and hug.
these days an ipod or a cell phone is the "expected" level of gift.
This morning my kids and i spent 2 hours making cards for my wife... they are 4 & 5 and they thoroughly loved it. Now i'm off to make her the breakfast i know she misses from when we lived in LA.
May 11th 2008, 2:54 pm
#4
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Location: Midlands - MA - CO-CA
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Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
I know I'm cheap, but giving me a hug and saying Happy Mothers Day is enough for me. Not even a card or flowers.
May 11th 2008, 3:06 pm
#5
Last orders please...
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Way down deep in the middle of the Jungle..
Posts: 6,154
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
I'm just happy getting a lie in and a cup of coffee stuck under my nose to wake me up...
and of course my home-made card filled with hugs and kisses..
Things here are wayyyy over the top...I don't want a diamond necklace or the latest phone...I just want to watch silly films with my family and eat to much popcorn and chocolate...
and of course my home-made card filled with hugs and kisses..
Things here are wayyyy over the top...I don't want a diamond necklace or the latest phone...I just want to watch silly films with my family and eat to much popcorn and chocolate...
May 11th 2008, 3:12 pm
#6
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Lake County IL
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Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
No chance of a lie in here, if it's not the 4 year old alarm clock it's the one that says miaow!
May 11th 2008, 3:16 pm
#7
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Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 612
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
Marketing con - all hype and commerce.
For me - maybe a phone call from the kids but that's good anytime.
However for the MIL and the Mum it has to be a nice lunch/brunch and a card. I have finally figured out how to satisfy the MIL in the card department. Nothing subtle or arty - the biggest card, the cheesiest words, the most flowery picture = one happy old lady!
For me - maybe a phone call from the kids but that's good anytime.
However for the MIL and the Mum it has to be a nice lunch/brunch and a card. I have finally figured out how to satisfy the MIL in the card department. Nothing subtle or arty - the biggest card, the cheesiest words, the most flowery picture = one happy old lady!
May 11th 2008, 3:18 pm
#8
lush
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Maine - the "Deep South" of the Northeast
Posts: 5,004
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
I agree, I hate the way they always use the line "show them how much you care" and then they show a diamond. Like that is a measure of how much you care...argghhh 
They do it at Christmas too...they try to guilt men into thinking they HAVE to buy diamonds for their women
anyhoooo.....Happy American Mother's Day to the muvvers
They do it at Christmas too...they try to guilt men into thinking they HAVE to buy diamonds for their women
anyhoooo.....Happy American Mother's Day to the muvvers
May 11th 2008, 3:21 pm
#9
who turned out the light?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: WA
Posts: 7,997
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
Well I'm glad I'm not the only one, was scared I was a skinflint rather than just being sensible 
Now my OH wouldn't even get a card as he thinks all holidays (he will buy birthday + Christmas cards) are a hallmark conspiracy. His mum has that same mentality so don't worry!
(He is very generous to her money wise continually for the rest of the year so she doesn't care.)
Now my OH wouldn't even get a card as he thinks all holidays (he will buy birthday + Christmas cards) are a hallmark conspiracy. His mum has that same mentality so don't worry!
(He is very generous to her money wise continually for the rest of the year so she doesn't care.)
May 11th 2008, 3:21 pm
#10
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Lake County IL
Posts: 1,953
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
And then they are $79 necklaces - those are some cheap ass diamonds!
May 11th 2008, 3:43 pm
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
which he gave me on Thursday after school because he couldn't wait till today
May 11th 2008, 3:49 pm
#12
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Joined: Feb 2000
Location: Florida
Posts: 25,928
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
Maybe its my old age making me cynical or my recent bombardment with ads (buy this diamond necklace for $200 for mothers day) or shows (Martha Stewart -as well as flowers and chocolates these gifts are good - among them a $500 camera ) - that is making me a bit 'anti' Mother's day.
Was it that long ago that a homemade card and breakfast in bed was enough then when older maybe a bunch of flowers and a card? Then it seemed taking your Mum out for lunch was expected then a bit nicer presents.
Will we including your Mum after years of being exposed to ads and 'buy this' shows, the more expensive presents will become expected? Is this a good thing - she deserves it? Or does it take away from the meaning of Mother's Day to just tell your Mum how you feel.
What do you do on Mother's day - a card, flowers or more?
And Happy US Mother's day to you Mums- just a simple message but a sincere one - bringing up children in this day and age is a tough task.
) - that is making me a bit 'anti' Mother's day.Was it that long ago that a homemade card and breakfast in bed was enough then when older maybe a bunch of flowers and a card? Then it seemed taking your Mum out for lunch was expected then a bit nicer presents.
Will we including your Mum after years of being exposed to ads and 'buy this' shows, the more expensive presents will become expected? Is this a good thing - she deserves it? Or does it take away from the meaning of Mother's Day to just tell your Mum how you feel.
What do you do on Mother's day - a card, flowers or more?
And Happy US Mother's day to you Mums
- just a simple message but a sincere one - bringing up children in this day and age is a tough task.Happy Mothers Day to all you mums out there.
May 11th 2008, 3:52 pm
#13
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
I don't get the trouble and strife a card.
She isn't my Mother - its not appropriate.
She had three cards (one from the cat) and a nice bunch of flowers. When asked what she wanted mealwise - BBQ burgers and hot dogs with me doing all the business. Okeydoke.
But the big gift is a day doing sweet FA and me trying to keep house - hate wearing this bleedin pinny tho.
May 11th 2008, 3:56 pm
#14
lush
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Maine - the "Deep South" of the Northeast
Posts: 5,004
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
Quite right.
I don't get the trouble and strife a card.
She isn't my Mother - its not appropriate.
She had three cards (one from the cat) and a nice bunch of flowers. When asked what she wanted mealwise - BBQ burgers and hot dogs with me doing all the business. Okeydoke.
But the big gift is a day doing sweet FA and me trying to keep house - hate wearing this bleedin pinny tho.
I don't get the trouble and strife a card.
She isn't my Mother - its not appropriate.
She had three cards (one from the cat) and a nice bunch of flowers. When asked what she wanted mealwise - BBQ burgers and hot dogs with me doing all the business. Okeydoke.
But the big gift is a day doing sweet FA and me trying to keep house - hate wearing this bleedin pinny tho.
May 11th 2008, 3:59 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: Mother's day good thing or a marketing con?
Quite right.
I don't get the trouble and strife a card.
She isn't my Mother - its not appropriate.
She had three cards (one from the cat) and a nice bunch of flowers. When asked what she wanted mealwise - BBQ burgers and hot dogs with me doing all the business. Okeydoke.
But the big gift is a day doing sweet FA and me trying to keep house - hate wearing this bleedin pinny tho.
I don't get the trouble and strife a card.
She isn't my Mother - its not appropriate.
She had three cards (one from the cat) and a nice bunch of flowers. When asked what she wanted mealwise - BBQ burgers and hot dogs with me doing all the business. Okeydoke.
But the big gift is a day doing sweet FA and me trying to keep house - hate wearing this bleedin pinny tho.
