Mother’s Day … a time-honored tradition. Mother’s Day dates back to 1914 when Anna Jarvis established a day to celebrate the incredible sacrifices mothers make. Her plan to create a “holy day” may have slipped into a commercialization of the celebration, but fear not! We’ve created a list for you to casually share with your loved ones about what not to buy and how to celebrate you instead!
we don’t want these things …
- Knick knacks/trinkets: We do not need more “things.” We are tired of finding places for things, picking up things, cleaning things, and getting rid of things.
- Mugs: Unless your mom desperately needs something to put her beverage of choice in, do not get her a mug. Mug cabinets are always full and it’s one more thing to clean.
- Flowers/candy: Do you know which flowers or candy are her favorite? If not, don’t get them. If so, choose carefully and intentionally!
- Perfume or candles: Scents are very personal and these items last a long time. If she doesn’t like it or need it, it’s one more thing she has to figure out where to put.
- Clothes or shoes: Unless she has picked out something and said, “I would love this!”, you’re taking a big risk. Plus, buying the wrong size means she will have to make a return or exchange … which is just one more task for her to do list.
- A random meal: Do not pick your favorite restaurant. Do not pick a place where you have to wait 2 hours for a table. Instead cook her a special meal at home. Or take her to a place she loves but never gets to go.
we don’t want to …
- Make decisions: The average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day, and moms make that for multiple people. We also hear all the complaints that come from those decisions. We are burnt out. If you want our input, make the decision easy.
- Attend stressful events: Gatherings are a blessing, but oftentimes mom is the host – and Mother’s Day is not the day for that! If you want to gather everyone together, you need to plan it! Invite people, prep the food, clean up after, etc.
- Be “on”: As moms, we rarely plan only for ourselves, eat on our schedule, listen to our music in the car, etc. Allowing us to be “off” is a gift.
- Be forgotten: Many moms feel like they blend in to the background of their household. We don’t mind, because it is our joy to take care of those we love. But on Mother’s Day, blending in stings a bit more. Sometimes all we need is a hug and a kiss to feel like we aren’t forgotten!
Mother’s Day means countless items in the seasonal aisle of Walmart can be given, but I’m here to tell you that they shouldn’t be. Ms. Jarvis not only criticized what her holiday had become but she even started a petition to have it recalled she was so disappointed!
If you are giving us something, simply to say you did, we’d rather you pass.
Mother’s Day is supposed to honor the sacrifices mothers make, and one of those sacrifices is that we give up a little bit (sometimes a lot) of ourselves. We become “Bobby’s mom,” our time is given to orchestrating the family calendar, and we no longer eat at our favorite restaurant because they don’t carry chicken nuggets. All we ask on Mother’s Day is that you put forth a little effort to recognize a little bit of us – the things we collect, places we enjoy, experiences together, or even just the opportunity not to do all the things we usually do.
We don’t want to be an afterthought or obligation. All simply want a little recognition … and maybe an afternoon nap.
