By DAVID FORSTROM
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, flowers, chocolates and jewelry are bound to be the traditional gifts of choice.
But is that what mothers really want? Few, besides moms, know the answer to that question.
“Flowers are nice and I enjoy getting them, but that may not always be what I want,” said Mary Palmer, a mother of five children. “Sometimes its the little things that count, and nothing tangible.”
Several BYU students said they don’t know what their mothers want and aren’t sure why they bought certain Mother’s Day gifts.
“I think it’s just habit or the traditional thing to do. I just buy flowers and a card every year, and don’t even think about it,” said Clifton Dukes, a junior from Zebulon, Ga, majoring in Spanish.
Dave Ward, 26, of Salt Lake City, said he agrees that flowers are a great gift.
“I think most people feel pretty safe getting flowers or jewelry because they’re the classic gifts,” Ward said.
To some mothers it is not the gift or its value that matters, but the day, and what it means to them.
Instead of the scent of beautiful roses, the rich taste of chocolate or the sparkle of new jewelry, other Mother’s Day gifts can express love without price tags.
Such gifts involve acts of service, not dollar amounts. Some mothers have found that gifts from the heart, rather than the wallet, are most rewarding.
“A massage, a break from the children or even breakfast in bed would all be quite nice,” said Debbie Smart of Boise, who is a mother of six children.
Bart Bingham, 23, a junior from Carey, Idaho majoring in history, likes to give his mom meaningful gifts.
“I always give my mom a nice card with a note in it saying I’ll do something special for her,” Bingham said. “Flowers eventually die, but the memory of doing something she really wanted stays with you forever.”
One mother said she wanted a break from motherhood on Mother’s Day.
“All I want is some time alone with my husband,” said Theresa McCumby, a mother of two children.
