The who, what and why of Mother's Day

© Dmitriy Shironosov – 123RF.com

Out of almost 3,000 respondents, a small percentage (6.9%) didn't see the point of the day at all, followed by those (slight) sceptics who thought that is was as important as any other celebration (13.8%). Separate to these were those who told us that it was a day like any other and that they treated their mom like a queen every day (15.2%)

However, those moms looking forward to being spoilt on the day can relax: the vast majority of respondents (63.6%) thought Mother's Day is a great reason to do something special and "show mom she's the best."

Pick n Pay also asked customers how far they plan for Mother's Day. The results of this question makes it clear that people are pressed for time, as the majority of respondents said they "planned only a few days in advance, just in time to buy a great gift and organise something to mark the day (54%)."

The next largest group of respondents are those who plan "very much in advance" (18.8%) of those who plan to celebrate the day want it to be "perfect" so they give themselves plenty of time to prepare. There are of course also those who leave it all to the last minute (16.4%), while 215 respondents (7.7%) said they didn't celebrate Mother's Day at all.

For just over half of the respondents, the ideal family activity for the day would be a family get-together at home and a nice meal. 22.4% of respondents are looking forward to a family outing to one of her favourite places, followed by 12.3% who just want a day out together. For 7.9%, afternoon tea with all Mom's favourite treats was highly rated, but we do wonder how many people are going to be 'faking the baking' and buying delicious baked treats, only 1.8% thought a great activity for Mother's Day would be baking something delicious with their kids.

Mother's Day best gifts

Pick n Pay asked customers to recall some of the best Mother's Day gifts they had given in the past. The answers spanned a large range, from the more traditional flowers, to grandchildren. A few of the best and worst gifts mentioned are listed below:

• Flowers
  
• Perfume
  
• Chocolate
  
• Spa days and treatments
  
• Holidays and weekends away
  
• A woven basket, packed with 12 gifts for each month following Mother's Day to show that it isn't just a once-off day
  
• Breakfast in bed
  
• A foot spa
  
• A cellphone
  
• Tickets to a show
  
• A coffee machine
  
• Two lucky respondents received the gift of grandchildren on Mother's Day

Lowlights

Some of the worst gifts were:

• Nothing - which sadly topped the list
  
• Slippers
  
• Socks
  
• Soap
  
• Plastic flowers
  
• Cleaning materials (really?)
  
• A jersey that was too small
  
• A blow-up coat hanger
  
• Chocolates to a mother who does not actually like chocolate
  
• A scale (we do hope this was for the kitchen, and not for the mother?)

It seems that most respondents do put thought into what they give. Asked how they went about buying presents, 61.2% said they chose the gift themselves to make sure it was perfect. Shopping online was an option for 4.2%, as it is seen as easier and a time-saver. For some, thought, it is about the doing and not the buying, with 29.5% saying they planned to make lunch, or bake a cake instead of buying a gift, while 5% spread the love through the family by pitching in with other family members to buy a gift.

The most salient result of Pick n Pay's Mother's Day poll, however, is that for the majority of people who do celebrate Mother's Day, the day is about being together.