Here’s what mom actually wants for Mother’s Day
This Mother's Day, that matriarch in your life might be hoping for a maid to clean her home.
Mom's perfect day might start with brunch at her favourite restaurant and arranging her new potted plant. Afterwards, she'd love to head outdoors for a family hike to enjoy the Sunday afternoon that is Mother's Day. Once back home, she'll ponder where to use the gift card she received for her Mani-Pedi - ideally on the day the hired cleaners are coming over.
But chances are, she actually just wants a bit more of your time.
The Spectator surveyed nearly 50 mothers on social media, to find out what women really want when it comes to celebrating Mother's Day.
Here are some of the responses to the unofficial poll:
- Just over 29 per cent of moms wanted to go to a restaurant for breakfast. If this is the route you choose, make reservations as restaurants will surely be packed. Staying home was a better idea for 44 per cent who were divided with 19 per cent wanting just coffee and 15 per cent looking for Sunday morning mimosas. Traditional breakfast in bed was the choice of 11 per cent of respondents.
- If you've ordered the flowers, 13 per cent are would like a formal arrangement but an overwhelming 48 per cent hope for a potted plant to grace their home. A bouquet of fresh cut flowers are on the wish list for 28 per cent of moms while everyone's hope of a dandelion tiara is the dream come true for 13 per cent. The remaining moms wished for anything their child picked to no flowers at all.
- Time with family top their hopes for the weekend - 63 per cent of moms said that's what they want. Time with a good book and time by herself run neck and neck with 23 per cent each. Time for a round of golf pulled in less than 5 per cent of the votes.
- Moms around Hamilton would enjoy an outdoor hike with the family, 60 per cent, or a picnic in a park, 31 per cent. Just under 12 per cent are looking for a full on vacation destination. But less than five per cent thought they'd enjoy rock climbing or skating.
- Mothers are really hoping you get them a cleaning service for a day. A whopping 46 per cent of moms thought a professional cleaner for a day was top notch. Her not doing laundry, chores and dishes was next on their wish lists, at around 13 per cent each. Having someone make her lunch for a week ranked in there with 13 per cent. Not wanting to shovel any more snow, next year, was also asked for by one mom.
- Gift ideas moms voted on included: a gift card (think Amazon or her favourite restaurant) with over 30 per cent; theatre tickets with 22 per cent; jewelry with 13 per cent; a surprising seven per cent voted for new slippers; with new technology (think ear pods), tattoo and nothing at all came in tied around two per cent.
We asked moms to share their best Mother's Day gifts ever received. Here's what a few of them said:
- My son, born on Mother's Day in 1987
- My husband responding all day long every time the kids asked for mom
- A pandora charm that was sentimental;
- Giving birth to a healthy baby boy
- A panini maker
- A 3D ultrasound before baby came
- A Persian kitten
- An ultrasound picture letting me know I was going to be a Grandma
- A homemade bench.
In all, the overwhelming majority of moms the only thing they wanted this weekend was to spend time with their family.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com