During my first Mother's Day, I kept seeing a commercial for a really cheesy necklace. This was in the days before DVRs, so I had to watch it over and over again. I cringed each time it came on: the ugly jewelry, the soft annoying music, and the sappy voice-over. Was I really a mother like that?
The thing I wanted most in the world was not to be lumped into that sugar-sweet stereotype of the serene mother who somehow does everything while also appearing quite powerless. And why should a mother necessarily have horrific taste in fashion and jewelry?
Of course my husband thought he was being sweet and sensitive when he got me the necklace.
These days I know not to get my mom something like a floral mug or a "#1 Mom!" potholder. And hopefully my family knows that I'd rather not get anything than to get random tchotchke.
Of course, not all gifts are bad. I absolutely adore Cool Mom Picks' Mother's Day Gift Guide, and only partially because I helped make it. (And yeah, gotta love that first category!) And I'm not going to frown over something handmade from my kids, even if they depict me with four arms or no neck.
All we really want is acknowledgment.
Saying "howdy" and "thanks" on Mother's Day (or any day) is super-easy thanks to technology: the spiffy e-card. This season Macy's is running a "Thank a Mom Movement." For every free e-card sent, Macy's will donate $5 to one of their five partnering charities (up to a total of $400,000.00.) The charities benefiting from this campaign are Futures Without Violence, Make a Wish Foundation, National Park Foundation, Reading is Fundamental, and American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Movement.
Some details: The e-cards are sent through Facebook, but you do not need to post that you sent a card on your wall if you aren't comfortable with that. Similarly, you can add the logo of the charity you support to your profile pic if you wish, but it is not mandatory. Cards can be sent via Facebook or through e-mail, so as long as your special mom has access to email, you're fine. These aren't super-fancy e-cards, but sometimes a simple message is the best, especially if it comes with acknowledgment that a charity has been helped in her honor.
Believe me, she does not want that horrific necklace.
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In exchange for publicizing Macy's "Thank a Mom Movement," my mom will receive flowers. (Awwww!) No other compensation or commission will apply.
