Mother and Father are special people. They are who gave us life and who raised us throughout all those years of teething, toddling, growing, dating, schooling, and simply learning how to live our lives. They are special people because they put up with us and supported us through all those times we tested them, saddened them, and especially when we brought them the joy of just knowing we survived childhood and became good solid citizens. Now the least we can do is give them a gift on their special day. But how can we ever afford to repay them for all they’ve done for us? We can’t! But we can give them gifts on their special day, Mother’s or Father’s Day. How much to spend must be dictated by the budget of the gift giver. Young children begin by hand making a card. Then we may progress on to buying gifts that are more expensive but still have that sentimental thought behind them. So to keep it frugal yet show our appreciation we choose gifts for our parents, even though they most likely will be happy with just a hug and a kiss. They’re easy to please!
Give Mother something besides flowers on her special day!
Mother’s Day is the most popular day to give flowers and cards. Sites like 1-800-Flowers offer promotional codes taking full advantage of this holiday. The 1800-Flowers promotional codes are popular due to increased demand for flowers and gifts. Phone calls reach their peak on this day when children live far away. The second Sunday in the month of May is traditionally celebrated as Mother’s Day in the U.S. and on various other days around the world. This annual has been set aside to honor the maternal bond between Mother and child as well as to identify the contributions made by Mothers to society in general. We honor our Mother with flowers, greeting cards, and gifts that are meant to tell them how much we love and appreciate all they have done for us, her children. Among the most popular gifts bestowed on Moms on her special day are:
- Photographs, especially those in a digital viewer, that represent our unique bond from infancy through present time. Assemble a series of photos that depict you and her throughout your life.
- Jewelry of any kind, especially a locket with her children’s photos inside.
- Electronics she may appreciate such as a radio, CD player, lap top or tablet computer (if the budget allows), small personal television she can watch in her kitchen, an e-reader on which she can read her own special books anywhere she chooses.
- Bath oils, scented soaps, perfumes, nail polish or whatever personal items she likes to use and wear.
- Potted plants that will last for years to come. Cut flowers are lovely but they just don’t last long while a green plant can live to show your affection for a long time.
- Take her out to dinner or lunch.
- Treat her to a trip to the zoo or a movie theater.
- Spend an entire day with Mom at a spa. She might appreciate a pedicure, manicure, massage, and having her hair done all in one visit.
- Gift cards to use at her favorite store.
- A journal that includes her own words. Tape record conversations with Mom as she talks about her life, her loves, fears, happy times, including some of the sad times. Then put it all down into a journal that can be bound and presented to Mom on Mother’s Day.
The third Sunday in June is Dad’s Day!
A relatively recent holiday celebration, President Nixon declared it a permanent official nationwide holiday in 1972 here in the U.S. (it is celebrated world wide on various dates). The day was set aside to celebrate paternal bonds, fatherhood, and just how influential fathers are in our society. It compliments Mother’s Day which is held one month later. The idea of gifting comes as a means of honoring Dad with presents just for him and even a greeting card is appreciated on this day. Some favorite Father’s Day gifts include:
- Tool sets such as screw drivers, wrenches, socket sets, and or Allen wrenches. These may include a sturdy tool box to hold his new tools.
- Sweaters, coats, jackets, warm gloves, hats or caps, and even slippers are popular gifts that most Father’s appreciate.
- Tickets to a movie or sporting event are something the Father and his child can participate in together.
- Watches, cufflinks, rings, and other jewelry which can even be engraved with “I love you Dad” or similar sentiments.
- Electronics such as a radio, CD player, personal television, and if he’s a computer user perhaps a new monitor, cordless keyboard and mouse, or even a new lap top computer if the budget allows.
- Plaques with sentimental verses printed on them. Father can hang them anywhere he wants to remember the love his child has for him.
- A montage of photographs also makes a great gift. Select photos that reflect special times or events shared by Dad and his child or children. Maybe showing them from the child’s infancy through adulthood, depending on age of the child.
- A journal personalized for and using his own words. Tape record Dad as he talks about his life and loves, fears, happy times, and even the sad times. Then put it all down into a journal that can be bound and presented to Dad on his special day.
- Send him to the race track for a ride along with a celebrity driver.
- Buy Dad the experience of sky diving or bungee jumping if he’s the adventurous type.
One thing for sure is that you don’t have to break your budget to please your parents. They have given you all they have to give and all they want is to see you happy and healthy. Give them the gift of love.