A recent survey, part of the 2008 Costumer Loyalty Engagement Index study by BrandKeys, spells it out pretty clearly: Mother’s Day is one of the biggest gift-giving occasions of the year. Men were estimated to spend $170 on Mother’s Day in 2008, and women were estimated to spend $110. The most popular Mother’s Day gifts? Cards, flowers, and a special meal were the top choices among the 1,200 people surveyed last year.
Blossoms and greeting cards are fine, but this year, why not give a more creative Mother’s Day gift? Here are some inexpensive yet meaningful Mother's Day gift ideas that will clearly communicate a message of love and appreciation. Plus, they'll help make this world a better place for moms and kids everywhere.
International Rescue Committee Gift Basket
For a unique Mother's Day gift that will help moms in need around the world, the International Rescue Committee offers a Mother’s Day Gift Basket. A donation as low as $25 buys a symbolic gift basket filled with services including high-quality prenatal care, obstetric services, education for women and key programs that the IRC provides for refugees fleeing violent conflicts in their homelands.
If you buy a basket in your mother’s name, the IRC sends you a touching tribute card describing the Mother’s Day Basket. Present this to your mom with a note about how she’s come to your aid time and time again, and you’re sure to get a big hug and a smile.
For more information, visit theirc.org.
Dream Bank Pledge
Here's the perfect Mother's Day gift for a mom who's been longing for a trip to Paris. A new website with the motto “Give Dreams, Not Stuff” offers a simple way to help her take the first step toward turning her Parisian fantasy into a reality. At DreamBank.org, users can post a “dream gift” for free. Once that’s done, family members, friends, and even mom herself can contribute funds toward making this dream come true, at a cost of $2.25 per contribution -- less than the cost of wrapping a gift, as the site points out. Contributions can be made a little a time.
One other feel-good feature of this Mother's Day gift: ten percent of DreamBank revenue is distributed to a charity chosen by “the dreamers” who use the site (choices include African Wildlife Foundation, CARE, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, Global Greengrants Fund, Kiva MicroFinance and Save the Children).
For more information, visit dreambank.org.
Heifer International Honey Bee Hive
For a donation of $30, the respected charity organization Heifer International will provide a family in need with a package of bees, the box and hive, plus training in beekeeping. This can be a huge boost for a family's livelihood, as the hive’s honey can be sold as well as consumed. If you make the donation in your mother’s name, the organization will send you a card describing your gift. Present the card to your mother along with a big jar of honey and a box of her favorite tea for a really sweet and unique Mother's Day gift.
This year, why not think outside of the chocolate box? A donation made in your mom's honor, accompanied by a heartfelt card or small memento, will make this Mother's Day truly memorable.
