Make Mom Feel Special On Her Day

Heed this warning: No matter how tempted you are, do not give Mom household items for Mother’s Day.

That’s the message from a recent poll of 500 mothers between the ages of 28 and 44. The poll was conducted by InterSurvey, on behalf of WishClick, an online gift service.

Moms responding to the poll listed their worst Mother’s Day gifts, including things such as carpet cleaner, a thigh toning machine, a night out at a husband’s favorite restaurant/sports bar and a card that read “reupholster the chair in the master bedroom.”

What moms want, the poll found, is to be remembered by their family on this special day. Fifteen percent of moms said their worst gift ever was when their family forgot Mother’s Day altogether. The poll also indicates that 46 percent of moms appreciate anything their kids gave them as a gift.

During a recent visit with my sister-in-law, who is battling a brain tumor, she said that the best gift her four adult kids can give her is “just being there, and spending time doing normal daily activities together, things that we all take for granted.”

Whether it’s spent alone or with family, moms across the country named “time” as their No. 1 “must have,” according to a separate survey conducted by Myria.com, an online magazine for mothers.

Candy, flowers, jewelry and clothes — all traditional gifts — didn’t rate as high on the list. Today’s mom needs love, peace and understanding.

Women surveyed gave the following suggestions for ways to show your gratitude: Say thanks, give her a hug, let her take a nap in peace, make her dinner (and clean-up afterwards), write her a love letter.

Susan Bosak, author of “Something to Remember Me By,” suggests replacing cards with books. You can easily spend several dollars on greeting cards that get tossed away but books last forever.

She also suggests replacing candy with a “Memory Jar.” Simply write out some of your best memories of Mom or Grandma on small, pretty pieces of paper — things you’ve done together, or maybe things she’s done or said. Fold them and put them in a jar so that she can munch on them.

Replace flowers with a photo bouquet. A collection of photos of the two of you can be photocopied and you can create a collage of wonderful memories.

All of these things are simple, yet meaningful. Whatever gifts you give, give from the heart. Recognizing and being thankful for the small things is the best way to say “Happy Mother’s Day.”