SANTA CRUZ, CA – What many will likely get come May 8 are jewelry and Mother's Day Brunch or dinner out. Those two categories are driving a record $31.7 billion in Mother's Day spending, a $3.6 billion increase over last year's record, according to a report last week from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insight & Analytics.
Some 84 percent of U.S. adults said they plan to celebrate Mother's Day with a gift, spending $245 on average on their mothers and mother figures, the report said. Jewelry stores alone are expected to see $7 billion in spending, according to the report.
That's good news for jewelry and keepsake shops around Santa Cruz.
A 2021 YouGov poll revealed the top five gifts moms want are flowers, a card with a heartfelt message, a gift certificate to the spa or for a massage, jewelry and chocolate. Most moms are satisfied with however their children honor them on Mother's Day, though, with 58 percent saying they've never been disappointed by their kids' shows of affection and appreciation.
Some reliable go-to places for gifts in Santa Cruz include:
- Bonnie's Gift Shop, 17 Municipal Wharf #B, Santa Cruz, 831-458-1144
- Botanic and Luxe, 701 Front St., Santa Cruz, 831-515-7710
- Paper Vision, 1345 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-458-1345
- Mackenzie's Chocolate, 1492 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-425-1492
- Richard Donnelly Chocolates, 1509 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 831-458-4214
- Variance, 1537 Pacific Ave. #101, Santa Cruz, 831-346-6758
- Dell Williams Jewelers, 1320 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-4100
- Ferrari Florist and Gardens, 415F River St., Santa Cruz, 831-460-7000
- The Flower Shack, 614 S. Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-3877
- Tamy's Flower Connection, 1720 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, 831-462-9276
- Tea House Spa, 112 Elm St., Santa Cruz, 831-426-9700
- Well Within Spa, 417 Cedar St. Santa Cruz, 831-458-9355
- Yoso Wellness Spa, 740 Front St. #110, Santa Cruz, 831-600-8053
We took our own informal survey of several Patch moms. While by no means scientific, it revealed some similar themes.
"We have always had the girls make homemade cards — even now that they are teenagers," one mom told us, adding the handwritten notes are "so much more meaningful than any Hallmark card could ever be."
Some new moms and those with small children don't want stuff as much as they do a break.
"New moms can't expect to get anything from the kids," one Patch mom told us. "I'd say a restaurant gift certificate for them. That's one less meal to cook."
Another said: "My toddler keeps me running around all the time and doesn't sleep, so any time I can have to take care of myself, anything to feel pampered even just for an hour — mani/pedi, hair blown out, restaurant gift card so I don't have to cook, or just an offer to watch him for one hour."
It never hurts to drop a hint.
"I want a plant — not flowers, because they don't last as long — but a plant that my husband knows I have a spot for and the right light for," one mom told us. Another said, "you can never go wrong with a bottle of wine."
And another Patch mom treats herself to a hike on Mother's Day. "The kids usually join in," she said, "even if they don't want to."
Said another: "Alone time! Night at a hotel. Dinner date or night out with friends. Meals pre-ordered and handled."
Get Mom In The Photo
Precious ones, we have news for you: Each of you is going to give your mom 45 pieces of homemade artwork between now and when you leave the nest, according to a survey last year conducted by OnePoll for the art website Canvaspop. And while your moms may say they'll treasure your creative expressions as if Picasso himself were responsible — and, in fact, three-fourths of them display some of it on their walls — another fact is 41 percent agree you're "no Picasso."
So, change that up, kiddos.
More than two-thirds of moms last year said they want more family photos for their walls, but with a catch: Give mom a break from behind the shutter and take photos that include her. The average mom surveyed said she's featured in less than half of family photos.
This survey was in 2021, but unless you wore out the shutter on your camera taking photos, the advice holds.
Make Memories With Mom
With inflation at a 40-year high, money is tight for many Santa Cruz families. Experiences count a lot with moms, and they don't have to break the budget.
"I don't need stuff," a Patch mom with an adult child told us. She just wants to spend quality time with her daughter.
"A mom's view of Mother's Day changes as kids get older," another Patch mom said. "When they were little, homemade cards and a Mother's Day spa getaway from them was pure bliss. Now the perfect Mother's Day for me involves dressing up, going out to dinner, and listening to all of their laughter and stories."
But, she said, "I still love the homemade cards and have saved them all through the years!"
Here's another idea: Pick up a nice, cloth-covered journal and write down some of your favorite memories of Mom. Be sure to include some of the bits of advice she's dished out over the years. And don't forget to tell her she was right.
Or how about a scavenger hunt for some of Mom's favorite things? That idea comes from Woman's Day. Or how about a custom jigsaw puzzle of a cherished family photo featuring Mom front and center? (This assumes you've followed the advice above and gotten Mom out from behind the shutter.)
Source: PATCH.COM
