Posted on 05/06/2005 1:39:42 PM PDT by Dashing Dasher
Businews Columnist Roger Button went looking for some different ideas to honor the women in our lives. Here's some of what he found.
We have come a long way since 1858, when Mothers Day began in this country in West Virginia.
Church worker Anna Reeves Jarvis introduced Mother's Work Day to encourage better sanitation in her town. Twelve years later a Mothers Day Peace proclamation was introduced and two years later modified to Mother's Day of Peace.
Jarvis's daughter dedicated her life to honoring mothers. In 1908 she introduced the use of the carnation, a tradition still honored today, with white carnations to honor dead mothers and pink or red the living.
In 1912, West Virginia became the first state to adopt an official Mothers Day, which later became nationally accepted as the second Sunday in May.
Get wild
What will you buy mom for this Sunday? Ideas range from the traditional bouquet of flowers to more strenuous, fascinating and luxurious options.
Looking for unusual gift ideas? The Pampered Princess theme includes model makeovers and massage; becoming a pop star and recording your own CD; dinner cruising and rally driving.
For adventurous moms, adrenaline-addict gifts will appeal: becoming a firefighter for a day; off-road intensive driving; aerial aircraft aerobatics; and quad motorbike scrambling.
An unusual gift for moms is to get a glance at their future with psychic help.
Different presents include a magical gift for Mickey Mouse fans or chocoholics: Disney or Cadbury's stock certificates.
Venice and Nokomis merchants offer something different. Consider Mothers Rings, a longtime popular favorite at Classic Creations in Diamonds and Gold, 1846 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 13.
Owner Chuck Duke said, "Your imagination is your limit."
More than 100 styles of rings and many pendants custom designed with colored precious and semi-precious stones representing children's birth months set in yellow or white gold are priced from $80-$90.
Alternatively, a big, bold and striking Mothers Day topiary of lilies and astromerias representing little colored balls with birds and butterflies on top of a tree pedestal starting at $40, is an increasing annual favorite at Always An Occasion, 249 S. Nokomis Ave. Owner Debbie Phelan commented, "You only have one mommy so everyone wants their own design order."
A sentimental mother's pillow decorated with flowers and poetically printed messages such as, "I smile because you are my mother, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it," are among popular presents priced from $14.95, according to store manager Linda Hirter of the Island Gift Nook, 227 W. Venice Ave.
Mothers Day baskets with Vera Bradley bags, bath and body products priced from $50 are sought after gifts at Fraser's on the Avenue, 237 W. Venice Ave., reported owner Linda Fraser.
"It's a day when she gets what she normally would not buy for herself," said Jon Marcus, who offers free consultations with his team will working with any mom for as long as it takes to give her the glamorous looks she desires. Mothers Day packages start from $50, and clients often bring photographs, and even friends with hairstyles they want copied, to his John Marcus Salon, 328-A South Tamiami Trail on the island.
For chocoholics, there many specialties at Backstretch Sweets, 276 W. Miami Ave., where owner Susan Pattison is helping customers celebrate both the Kentucky Derby on Saturday and Mothers Day with handmade chocolate horses, horseshoes and jockeys on horses, plus flowers, truffles and Happy Mothers Day bars.
"Bring your mum in and find something as special as she is from our selection of boats, cars, Teddy bears, dogs and musical instruments," said Pattison.
Painted lady
Perhaps mom is looking to chart her path to love, a new business career, reunite with love ones or solve her present problems. Local psychic and clairvoyant Rachel Mitchell offers a Mother's Day special 50 percent discount on tarot card, crystal ball and psychic readings. Robert Mitchell, manager of the location at 109 South Tamiami Trail in Nokomis, said readings start from $25.
A tattoo portrait of mom with her children has been a popular gift offered at Acme Tattoo Company, 201 South Tamiami Trail in Nokomis. With 10 years' experience as a tattoo artist, Gypsy invites moms to come in, even with the slightest idea, which will be worked up into a design on paper then customized.
Tattoos start from $200 and take around 90 minutes to complete. This week there is a 25 percent discount when they include mom, or are in memory of mom.
These are just a few of the many opportunities, along with eating out, barbecuing, going to theme parks or the beach, you can use to surprise your mom and show your appreciation on this special weekend.
Mothers' Day Ideas Ping!
I am not a mom, but can I have another anyway?
Ping
I was thinking of getting my mom one!
BWAAAAHHHAAA!!!
I'm getting one on my back. Yes I know it's a bit gangsta but oh well, at least it's for my parents :o)
is it going to say MOM? ; )
I just recieved my Mothers Day gift from my son. A wonderful lunch, just the two of us and a framed picture of my 3 grandchildren, taken by him. It doesn't get any better than that!
LOL
You can do anything your little heart desires!
(within the confines of the law)
;-)
Are ya yella?
That's what my kids got me...but I thought it said WOW!
I only buy for my mother in law. My mother is a lying s!ck of s6it
I am glad you specified that. Because I might have gotten into some real trouble.
Nope. I'm cocoa-licious, thank you very much.
First time I ever heard that!
Someone who likes their MIL better than MOM.
Good for you!
LOL!!!
I keep asking for a race horse (no not a tattoo of one)
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