Year after year, you practice your "I love it" face in the mirror before receiving your Mother's Day gift. Of course, you appreciate your family's effort, but you'll likely be returning whatever gift you're unwrapping. To avoid the inevitable Mother's Day gift blooper, forward this guide to Dad to give him some not-so-subtle clues on gift-buying don'ts.Tips for Dad: What Not to Buy
Exercise Equipment or Diet Books
Nothing says 'I love you' quite like a jump start to weight loss. Note to dad: No matter how much your wife talks about wanting to lose weight, buying her a "Get Rid of Love Handles" DVD is not the answer. And, offering to fund her liposuction isn't the greatest idea either.
Bubble Bath
As lovely as soaps and bubble bath gift-baskets may look, let's be serious here: When was the last time mom had time to soak up the suds? The lavender scented bubble bath that you bought her last year is still under her sink, unopened. Let her finish that one first, and you can buy her a new one when the time comes -- in ten years.
Cheesy 'World's Best Mom' Gear
Ok, so the sentiment is sweet. But aside from Mother's Day, mom isn't going to walk around sporting "#1 mom" around her neck or across her chest -- it's just embarrassing. Write it in the card, not on the jewelry.
Cleaning Supplies
Sure, Mom keeps the house nice and tidy, and often complains how much easier it would be if only she had top-of-the-line cleaning supplies. But, she wants them on a Wednesday, not on Mother's Day. "Hey Mom, scrub the floor," is not exactly her ideal Mother's Day card.
Kitchen Appliances
Mom loves to cook, yes. But just because she wants a new toaster doesn't mean Mother's Day is the time to give it to her. After all, she's cooking for you.
A Pool Table or a Grill
Mother's Day is not the time to leverage in something you've been eyeballing, dad. Even if your wife agrees that a new plasma TV would look nice in your living room, she doesn't want to spend Mother's Day observing how much clearer the football game is.
A Snuggie
We can all admit: After making fun of the Snuggie, we secretly wanted one. But, reminding mom that she spends every Friday night plopped on the couch is not the way to go. She doesn't need a special blanket for date night with the couch until she's ready to buy it for herself.
A Puppy or a Hampster
While your new pet might be adorable, we all know that it will soon become mom's responsibility. Don't give her the "gift" of having to clean up dog poop.
Clothing That's the Wrong Size
Unless you are positive what size your wife is, buying her clothes is just a bad idea. If you buy her something too small, she'll be upset that it doesn't fit. If you buy her something too big, she'll be upset that you think she's that large.
Larry,5-06-2011, 2:43PM
So what do we get her?
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kkilliam31222,5-06-2011, 3:43PM
I know my mom Http://www.couponcodesdiscounts.info would not like any gift that had to do with her working.
Erika Dolan,5-06-2011, 3:56PM
Every mother loves flowers.
facfgd,5-06-2011, 5:45PM
and am more than willing to share them with their significant other's families. A cook out works for me. Just being together and knowing that you are cared about.I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsin gles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it
TJG,5-06-2011, 6:16PM
Flowers, jewlery, home made mother's day card with coupons to be redeemed for house cleaning, car washing, dinner out, movies, etc. should work out nicely! Happy Mother's Day!
FL Mom,5-06-2011, 6:54PM
Flowers! Candy! Diamonds! Geez....
susyn,5-06-2011, 9:09PM
jewelry.... After having a stroke 8 years ago, My 20 year old was by my side. thru every step of my recovery, for mothers day she bought me a delicate little necklace from tiffany's I promised her I would never take it off, and never have. It means the world to me and she is touched that I wear it day in and day out, thinking of her every time i see it
Patti,5-07-2011, 7:11AM
Anything you think she wants. One perfect rose. Silk drawers. Expensive perfume she'd never buy for herself. Take her out for a nice meal where SHE wants to go. Stretch yourself...give up designer coffee for a week...remember she taught you not to waste your $ like that, anyway. But just try to remember the cookies she baked, the clothes she bought & washed & folded, the house she tried to keep clean while she went to a thankless job that didn't compensate her nearly enough, & the way she stayed proud of you even when you were going thru a bad stretch, how she didn't run amok on your dad. & if she is like most moms, she won't complain about whatever you get her & will pretend to like it no matter what. Just remember the love & it is there whether you see it or not. She can't help it...she loves her babies. Tell her thank you.
shusshu3,5-07-2011, 7:16AM
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DALE,5-06-2011, 3:36PM
I got my mom an oy boy oyster opener at oyster-opener,com because she loves oysters and was always cutting herself. No more cuts mom!
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ERika Dolan,5-06-2011, 3:58PM
Every mother loves flowers. It means love.
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Chrissie,5-06-2011, 11:06PM
I am a mom and I LOVE getting bubble bath (a luxury I feel guilty buying), "mom" gear/jewelry, kitchen appliances, or anything for my pets. In fact, if my adult children remember me with anything, I feel honored and loved. I think the author is being too materialistic and not getting the point of mother's day. It's not what you give, it's that you REMEMBERED mom enough to get her something.
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Tena,5-06-2011, 4:14PM
My mother loves to get plants or flowers for the garden. She says she doesn't want cut flowers, but wants something that lasts. It looks like she will be getting lots of what she loves this year......and I will be planting them for her.
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dee,5-07-2011, 5:20PM
The best gift a mother can have is a visit from her children, regardless of where they live in the country. This is what I am looking forward to. Just to be together is what it's all about.
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tinydancer13,5-06-2011, 4:21PM
I got my mom an awesome dress from VS, she better love me because it was 80 bucks.
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Sheri Roy,5-06-2011, 4:22PM
I think holidays have gotten out of hand. With Valentines Day, St Patricks Day then Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and all the personal days in between such as 1st communion, baptisms, the many many birthdays families have all topped off with the seasonal holiday ie Hannunaka vs christmas. It just gets harder and harder to financially keep up with it all. We used to be able to go out for brunch, lunch or dinner without taking out a Home Equity loan. I told my family several years ago that because of the cost of the greeting cards and all that we eliminate them. The nice ones you want to get with the "just perfect" sayings in them can range anywhere from 3 to 6 dollars. That's a lot when you combine it with the perverbial "gift" which Jewelry stores now are promoting diamonds or some sort of expensive jewelry. I love being with my family and am more than willing to share them with their significant other's families. A cook out works for me. Just being together and knowing that you are cared about.
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Bonnie,5-06-2011, 7:21PM
I completely agree. Time together is always rushed at my house. My kids are in high school and if we could just have a picknick or do something together it would be wonderful. I have enough "stuff", don't enjoy cut flowers...
Athebeach,5-06-2011, 5:06PM
Hampster??? The correct spelling is Hamster.
Proof reading is a must!
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dragondancer1814,5-06-2011, 6:35PM
My ideal Mother's Day gift?
ME TIME!!!!
And I mean a day where I have to do NO housework, NO running people places, NOBODY bothering me when I'm in the bathroom, or nagging everybody for the millionth time to do their chores! Let me take off and do something on my own that doesn't involve housework or child care! YOU do the housework and see how much work I really do!
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General Fact,5-09-2011, 1:53PM
I'm with you! When I first had children I still could get the occasional day off. Now, with 4 I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've been alone in my house in the last 4 years. I've told my husband that all I want for is some time ALONE. Doubt I'm getting it, though.