Gifts That Scare Mom

Wednesday is Mother's Day in Costa Rica, the most important of all holidays in Costa Rica and could even top Christmas in terms of retail sales, though we have no numbers to back it up.



Most retail stores have promotions to attract shoppers looking for the perfect gift for Mother. So, we thought to make a list of gifts that are sure to scare mom on her day of days.

No Household Appliances
If you want to make your mother feel how important she is to you, never giver a vacuum cleaner, iron, washing machine or any other appliance. Is she your maid? This type of gift says, between the lines, "what I expect from you is to ten to chores for me to be comfortable".

Intimate Wear (Lingerie)
You have to be crazy to even consider giving your mother lingerie for her day. You want to see her face of bewilderment as she opens your "special" gift? For your mother, if you are a male child, lingerie is too intimate for you to be giving her. We suggest leave aside your Oedippus for a day and be cool, leave lingerie to your father or the man in her life. If you are a female child, giving mother lingerie may bring up some embarrassing moments, for the both.

A Picture Frame With "Your" Picture
Sure, you think this is a lovely way to tell you mother you love her and what better to decorate her home with your image, the light of her eyes, her greatest treasure, pride and so on. However, do not be so selfish, think of her, what better to say you love her with a more personal gift, one especially chosen according to her tastes and needs.

An Anti-Aging Cream
Although all women worry about taking care of their skin and protect it from the ravages of time, Mother's Day is not the right to be reminding your mother she is getting or worse looking older. Can you see her face on the indirect message you are giving her? Chose another gift that reflects better her living image, her beauty and smile.



A Cookbook
A cookbook? Come on you can do better than that? We can see this gift making sense if your Mother really loves experimenting in the kitchen. The key word here is 'experimenting' and then only if the book is from a famour or her favourite chef. Other, you sending one or both messages, that "she is the cook in the house" and that her home cooking sucks.

Remember mom is more than a maid, a cook and getting older. Put some thought in the gift, make her feel special on her day of days.

Now, for one last piece of advice, shop around. Some retailers take advantage of this special day and jack up prices. If your purchase includes financing, read the fine print, the final price could be twice, three times or more of the original price. Don't be enticed by low weekly, bi-weekly or monthly payments.