OP-ED: Millions of Americans are running around spending more than $20 billion on Mother’s Day gifts right now, according to the National Retail Federation – up 11 percent from last year. That’s good for the economy and there’s certainly a ton of gift ideas to choose from. But some of us have, well … issues.
An 80-minute Swedish massage at a top spa in the heart of Manhattan goes for $180 bucks. It’s tempting and would surely calm the nerves – but honestly, spending nearly $200 on something so fleeting? I feel stressed out just thinking about it. Pass.
For $100, an Upper East Side hair salon would send a stylist to my home, so I wouldn’t have to dress up to sit in a cramped chair in the back of an airless room for an hour. But once you have amazing hair, you need an amazing place to take it – which means more cash. Never mind.
There’s jewelry. That sounds grand. I can think of any number of gorgeous gold earrings, dazzling bracelets, and fabulous sparkling necklaces that would be wonderful to wear. But their pricetags would take my children weeks of summer sweat to earn, and let’s face it, after you wear those princess-for-a-day baubles, they go back in a drawer, where they sit… and sit… and sit…
A great meal out at a favorite restaurant? Always a treat. We eat, we laugh, we talk, the kids dress up – such fun! But then it’s over, and sometimes you’re even left with food poisoning, which happened to me recently after eating out at a favorite place, which not only set me back an entire weekend and made various family members say in a scary, hushed tone, “Should we take you to the hospital?” – it forced me to reevaluate my list of favorite places. Bummer.
Organic, homemade soap – great gift idea. Lavender is the best. Love it! Got it already.
Flowers! They are cheerful and hopeful. They signify springtime, life – and the floral industry employs more than 70,000 workers across the nation. That’s a great thing. Unfortunately, after the flowers die you have to scrub out the vase, which takes more time and elbow grease than you ever bargained for. I can think of a million things I’d rather be doing. Pass.
Breakfast in bed! Some moms I know relish this. Your kids cook, you try not to notice the damage, and afterwards you all have a great memory of the yummy meal your kids served you on a tray while you lounged guiltily in bed without even taking a shower. My kids did this for me when they were younger, and I still remember their happy, excited smiles, as well as the sight of their exhausted father standing behind them, wiping butter from his forehead at 6:30 in the morning. But right now I’m on a diet and the food I eat for breakfast requires a zap in the microwave. (Sad.) Pass.
Scarves! Dramatic and artful. Have some already, thanks.
Shoes! Some women build their lives around their heels. I admire the way they walk in them, since I can’t. Pass.
Clothes! Essential for living. Got ’em.
A yoga mat – ha!
Here’s what I’d actually rather have: A handmade note from each of my kids that: A) no one forced them to write; B) comes from the heart: C) can be cherished forever; and D) doesn’t cost a dime.
As a preschool teacher I know used to say, “I don’t care if it’s just a line on the page, as long as it’s theirs.” That’s a Mother’s Day gift – something my kids craft with their own brains and brawn. (Presumably it will have more than a line.)
Sorry, American economy!
