For the record, we do not do Mother's Day chez Mace.
Today this blog is a schmaltz free zone.
I spent my formative years with my own mother... and my mother does Mothers' Day Big time. No really Big Time. The cards have to be big enough, the presents expensive enough.
That's right cards and presents, one from each child. Or else... or else there is a Wall of Sulk.
Luckily said children could share on cooking the meal, or taking her out. Tsk, even my mother would have trouble eating two breakfasts in bed.
I digress. Let's just say, as a result of years of grief over a manufactured day of schmaltz, the Cherub has strict orders as to both the card (homemade), and the present (cost = nil).
To be honest, most years the Cherub's Mother's Day present to me is simply to accompany me to my mothers. Since, obviously, being a grandmother doesn't mean you don't get a Mothers' Day card (big) and Mothers Day present (expensive).
This year, though my mother is on holiday.
Can you improve on a bunch of daffs (wrapped in newspaper) and an afternoon tea at the local overpriced farm cafe?
Maybe a photo?
No. Nearly a perfect day then.
Today this blog is a schmaltz free zone.
I spent my formative years with my own mother... and my mother does Mothers' Day Big time. No really Big Time. The cards have to be big enough, the presents expensive enough.
That's right cards and presents, one from each child. Or else... or else there is a Wall of Sulk.
Luckily said children could share on cooking the meal, or taking her out. Tsk, even my mother would have trouble eating two breakfasts in bed.
I digress. Let's just say, as a result of years of grief over a manufactured day of schmaltz, the Cherub has strict orders as to both the card (homemade), and the present (cost = nil).
To be honest, most years the Cherub's Mother's Day present to me is simply to accompany me to my mothers. Since, obviously, being a grandmother doesn't mean you don't get a Mothers' Day card (big) and Mothers Day present (expensive).
This year, though my mother is on holiday.
Can you improve on a bunch of daffs (wrapped in newspaper) and an afternoon tea at the local overpriced farm cafe?
Maybe a photo?
No. Nearly a perfect day then.
3 April 2011 at 21:46
Canine Cafe!! That would wim the Terrier Award (like the Perrier Award but with more barking)
4 April 2011 at 00:03
In this family it's either a feast or a famine. This year a feast - flowers, chocs and a necklace but the cards are my favourite - and the phone calls and the dates when they are coming to visit.
4 April 2011 at 07:15
Thank God for a schmaltz-free zone! I'm with you on the handmade-card-no-present front. I was always filled with such guilt as a child that I never wanted my kids to feel the same pressure. Having said that, they always seem to find the funniest/sarkiest things to put on their cards and I couldn't/wouldn't ask for more!
4 April 2011 at 07:42
Same here....no card that isn't home made and no presents...a visit or a call is great and I was lucky to get both yesterday, but by and large we are a 'we don't do mothers day/fathers day' family.
4 April 2011 at 08:18
Rog - Ho yes! And they run to bowls of water and organic doggie nibbles too!
Pat - Sigh, one day I can see my mothers' day rules being updated to include a visit...
Curry Queen - You're right - it's the guilt! This year's card included pop ups and all. Much more impressive tan anything Hallmark could drum up.
Libby - Good on you! I live in hope that my mother might be converted yet....
4 April 2011 at 09:01
Oooo I love homemade cards. I am not a mother so I do not participate in this schmaltz-y holiday. BUT every birthday, valentines day, christmas... whatever really... I request the cards be homemade. They are so much more special to me.
4 April 2011 at 17:21
I make homemade cards. They're not always appreciated though.
Sx
4 April 2011 at 17:45
I gave up on Mother's Day a long time ago as my mum really couldn't care less about it. And it's a bit one-sided considering there's no Son's Day or Daughter's Day....
4 April 2011 at 20:50
Rache - Hey if you don't have to SEND a mothers' Day card maybe you'd like to send one to my mother instad... sort of take the load off me a bit?
No..? mm just a thought....
Scarlet -IN EXILE?? Things are taking a worrying turn over at yours...
Nick - Point taken. Maybe we should have a Carers Day instead?
8 April 2011 at 13:41
For ten years, my mother enjoyed her Mothers Day flowers til she found out that I was getting them from the local cemetary---
I was buying them at the gate but she still found that a bit off