I recently got an email from a department store that said something along the lines of, “Surprise Mom with a heartfelt gift straight to the door.” Given the current time, naturally it’s for Mother’s Day. So, of course I clicked on it to see what kind of suggestions they had.
I was appalled at the highlighted gift options. The gift suggestions ranged from bedsheets, kitchenware, teacups, small appliances and robes and slippers. First of all… Holy sexism Batman.
If my husband gave me bedsheets, he would not be using them, as he would have to sleep on the couch. He would never do it, so not a concern. But why do stores think our moms (or moms in general) live in the 1950s? Small appliances like kettles and waffle makers aren’t only made for mothers, and it really builds on the notion that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. Bedsheets and household items are used by EVERYONE in the home, not just mom, so why would you get her a gift that isn’t only for her?
I am a mom; and yet, I haven’t used a teacup… ever. And I’m pretty sure my 60-year-old mother doesn’t use one on a regular basis either. Robes and slippers were probably the best suggested gift they offered. But even with that, the busy working mom of 4 doesn’t have time to adorn silk robes with $150 slippers. Are you kidding me?? That mom of 4 needs to be appreciated the most on Mother’s Day. I am not even sure how she’s surviving the 4 children. She doesn’t need a new robe.
I understand that this department store may have a specific target audience in mind, and a certain demographic they feel would be excited by these gifts; like women who are my mom’s age. But it would be nice to see more practical options. Clothes. Loungewear that isn’t a fancy robe. Travel mugs and coffee mugs that tout how special a mom is. At-home spa options to give her the relaxation she laments for, but never spends money on. Shoes and purses so she can feel spoilt.
It seems to me like the people that curated the list of special gifts for moms may have been a bunch of idiotic kids in their twenties who think a mom’s only joy in life is making them waffles or wearing slippers to ease their stress.
When I shared my outrage with my husband about this email, he laughed and agreed, but also pointed out that come Father’s Day, the suggested gift list will be golf related items and tools. My husband doesn’t play golf and, much to my chagrin, tools simply gather dust in our house. Even though the feminist in me believed it so, it’s not just women that are getting stereotyped. It’s parents altogether. We are being stereotyped as boring, and that is simply not fair. One thing I can assure all those childless happy people out there, is that life with kids is not boring. Never a dull day.
To be completely honest, I have an issue with the whole idea of Mother’s Day. It’s seems like a glorified celebration of something that should really be honoured every day. It’s become an opportunity for stores to sell their “mom-oriented gifts,” and for greeting card stores to sell $10 cards to guilty children who feel like a few hours at brunch will forgive the months and years of taking their moms for granted. I am guilty of this too. And I know my kids will never really appreciate all that their parents do for them. I, too, celebrate Mother’s Day with my mom and mother-in-law and happily accept the gifts and special breakfasts in bed. But what’s the alternative? Not having any day for our hardworking mothers and fathers? That seems TOO cynical. We have other holidays like thanksgiving that we celebrate on one day but it doesn’t mean we aren’t thankful all year round. As long as we acknowledge that one day a year isn’t enough to partake in appreciation of parents, then celebrating a seemingly frivolous holiday with our families can just be an opportunity to take time out to show that appreciation.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go drink my tea while wearing my silk robe and slippers, and figure out what special thing I can do for my mom.