Mother's Day is coming fast. With the economy suffering, will you be spending much on you, your mom or friends who are moms?
Accoring to a retail group in D.C., we won't be. This year consumers are planning to scale back on the quantity of gifts that they buy to celebrate moms.
The National Retail Federation reports the average amount spent on mom this year will we $138.63 - 51 cents less than last year. But retailers like it when we spend more.
Other findings: Most will buy one "major" gift - I guess that means they'll spend more than $25. Also, while fewer will be spending on jewelry (29.7 percent this year vs. 32.8 in 2007), they will spend more ($2.7 billion vs. $2.1 billion last year). Obviously, the price of gold is impacting that spending.
The biggest spending will be on dinners/brunches out ($3 billion), followed by jewelry, flowers ($2 billion) and gift cards ($1.6 billion.
Young adults 18-24 will spend the most, averaging $170.71. The retail group notes many of them have wives, mothers, grandmothers and sisters. I'm in the 35-44 range. We will average $145.86.
I was thinking of just going to a massage place for one of those $49 massages. What are you doing?
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
We are going to Seaworld
We are going to Seaworld right when school gets out so I am pretending that I don't want anything but have actively been hinting for a Cricut.
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.
I usually go to the spa with
I usually go to the spa with a bunch of girlfriends. I need to email some of them to see if they can make it. In the past we have had a hard time picking a day because everyone is so busy. I don't really like to go on Mother's Day weekend or the following weekend because it is usually so busy. I guess I will just have to suffer if that is the only time we can get together. :)
Thanks for the reminder.
Btw, this has gotten my husband off the hook about gifts. I remember one of my favorite Aunts told me the secret to how you get what you want. I listened not wanting to miss anything - She said "You ask. Don't expect anyone to read your mind." Brilliant - doesn't mean you will get it, but at least you have put it out there.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
I asked for a pedicure. I
I asked for a pedicure. I have never had one. My husband is perplexed, as he doesn't have the first idea how to get me one. Luckily I know plenty of ways to help him out there (suggestions welcome, BTW!)
For gifts we give my MIL a gift card to someplace we know she loves to spend money! Sometimes a quilting store, or a department store. We avoid eating out, as a mom with little ones, that is usually NOT relaxing and fun for me.
Also, my sister, who has no children, is 10 years older than me, a great Auntie to my kids and a wonderful help to me. We give her a present too. It is important around Mother's Day to remember the women who help you be a good mom.
Susan is mom to Alexander, Isabel, David and stepmom to Eric. Make sure your email address is current, we'll be giving out great prizes DAILY in September after our site makeover! Don't miss out!
Not sure wher you live, but
Not sure wher you live, but any local Malls or maybe spa places nearby to your house all you have to do is go in and ask for a gift certificate for a pedicure. He pays for it, and you go. They might have other stuff there also that maybe fun like a facial. Also you said you have a sister? Maybe you guys can go together and (inappropriate term) chat.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
My daughter (18 months) has
My daughter (18 months) has fingerpainted with watercolors on cardstock. We are in the process of making a bunch of these to turn into cards and give out to our beloved mothers, aunts, great aunts, great grandmothers in our family, and including photos of her making them. I thought that would make it special. As for me? I have no idea, and honestly I'm not picky. Dinner out would be nice with the family. I rarely get to go out to eat with the family, but when I do it's special. :-)
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette