Is it me?

Really dislike the commercialism. We know we love each other by the mutual love and respect shown every day. Don’t need to prove it because WH Smith or whoever want to sell more cards.

Kim19 - Mothering Sunday originated when young servant girls were allowed one Sunday off each year to go home to visit their mothers.

Reminds of my my 50th birthday, many years ago. I was quite chuffed with myself, having pulled a date with a lovely man ten years younger than myself. As I opened the beautifully wrapped birthday gift at dinner, it was a box with several high-end anti-wrinkle products!! I'm sure he was advised by a very cheeky salesperson. I was gobsmacked but managed to hide my dismay and offer thanks.

Over the years I have been given for birthday or Christmas: a chip pan, oven gloves, aprons, tea cosy, storage crates, 2 rotary clothes peg hanger thingies (don't know their proper name!), loads of tea towels. All "useful" presents, none requested, and all of which I would buy myself, if I needed them. A nice plant, bunch of flowers or chocs would be much more appreciated, as I wouldn't buy them for myself! But not anti wrinkle cream please!

I don't get a card or anything but as someone in her mid thirties with two under three and a third on the way, I think I could use some anti wrinkle cream.....!

I really dislike the term Mother's Day......in the UK it's Mothering Sunday a tradition that dates back centuries to when young servant girls were given time off to visit their own mothers who they had,nt seen for some time as living in. They would generally be given a cake to take home by the cook, and then on the walk to their home would pick small bunches of wild flowers as an additional gift. Why do we have to have the American term of Mother's Day when our tradition started of much earlier. Don,t even start me on Father's Day another commercialised idea which has no tradition whatever attached to it here.

I got a big set of face creams , serum etc for Xmas from 1 of my daughter's, I was delighted, I can buy some polyfilla off my own money to put on top

Ha ha ! had to laugh at this ...when I was about 21 and working for an Accountant in London, we audited the accounts of a large expensive cosmetic company ...the articled clerks would go out and audit the accounts and could buy things from their range ,,,,,,one day a very pleased looking clerk whisked out a bag with a flourish said 'I got this for you I thought you might like it ....' ...it was a large tub of anti wrinkle cream !!!!!!!! I think I continued speaking to him ....... Anyway just been back to the UK where Tesco had a promo of Ulay ....mmmmm...bought SIX jars day and night anti wrinkle lotion (cant get Ulay here !) ....never had to pay excess baggage either ...should have bought more .....

JanaNana, it's not quite true to say that Mothering Sunday was a UK tradition because it was unheard of in Scotland before the card manufacturers created Mothers' Day. We certainly didn't hear about it at all when I was young and I can't quite remember when it entered my consciousness. My ex didn't bother about it but my DSs, perhaps under the influence of partners, began to send cards and gifts when they became earners, though I can't put my finger on an exact year.

How could anyone be offended by receiving a gift of face cream!!! You all sound very ungrateful. It would just save you buying it for yourself. My family always provides a list of suggestions for special occasions anyway, mostly useful items like pans and clothes, and then we also buy a few surprises and face cream is often on the list or one of the surprises.

My daughter wants her favourite boots resoled/heeled for her birthday. Had them done a couple of years ago for her and it cost nearly £40 . I have also got her a bra and, guess what, some face cream. Last year she complained because I hadn't bought her any. At Christmas she bought me a face mask which was supposed to remove all impurities. It didn't work that well though but I certainly wasn't offended. I have open pores and am willing to try anything to improve my skin so I thought it was a very thoughtful gift.

No wonder half of you complain about your relationships with your families if you are all so grumpy over gifts!!! They have probably given up on trying to please you.

I'd be more fed up with a wasted present. With my wrinkles came forgetfulness and I'd never remember to use it!

I have Mothering Sunday cards (not handmade ones) that my DMIL saved from the early 1950s, so things must have been different in England.

Whoops! That was replying to annodomini's post.

I love getting face creams, it's better to get something you can use, than a gift that's going to end up in a drawer unused,

Maggiemaybe
Where ever it originated, from my youngest daughter and her family who have lived in midwest U.S. for twenty years, I get a U.S Mothers day card and from GD a specific 'To my grandmother on mothers day' card. I recall it is in May so happy to wait.

I love getting a card. I've always told my lot that a card to me is worth more than any present (though all contributions are gratefully received ). And seeing as you can pick decent ones up at two for £1 at the pound shop, or if that's too crassly commercial, 29p at Card Warehouse, I'd be very disappointed if I didn't get three of them for my mantelpiece next weekend!

Its a bit late for anti-wrinkle cream for me I am afraid!

I'd be happy with anti wrinkle cream or anti aging hand cream or tokens towards botox. Grateful for anything!

Thank you to those who have tried to educate me. Actually, I do believe I had heard the story about family visits before. Guess what? Forgot! Maybe this time it will sink into the recesses. Hope so.

I remember my sister and I walking to Boots to buy mum a gift for Mother's Day... We always (for years) used to buy her Blue Hyacinth and French Pink bath cubes. (Blue from me and pink from my sister - our favourite colours!). We were very young and I remember the joy of mum opening our gifts on Mother's Day!

I love my creams, lotions and potions. They can be quite expensive so I am always grateful for these as gifts, as long as they are the nice expensive ones!

I'm happy with the Aldi one. It gets good reviews.

tidyskatemum Not insulted exactly, But still a strong feeling I can't quite explain yet....

I just think it's a really wasteful present to give unless you specifically asked for it. FWIW I've given up on trying the right sort of cream. It's all too much trouble and some of them are ridiculously expensive. As someone with dry skin, I whack on whatever is to hand when I feel a bit dry. That's it!
The "what famous person have you been told you look like" post led me to look for pics of Diane Keaton as she's the one I was told I was like AND she has MORE wrinkles than I DO !!! tee heee heee. We are same age and some of her pics are next to big posters for L'Oriel. I have to admit I don't have a beauty regime and hardly ever wear make-up. You bet I felt great for a while even though I've got a bit of a double chin and she hasn't (but then she's got loadsa money and probably diets a lot...)
BUT anti wrinkle cream for mum's day? SHOVE IT!

I would be delighted ! Always a sucker for promises new creams make, I would love to be pampered for a minute or two a day

Anti-wrinkle cream.... So you CAN fool all the people all the time? Give me the chocs and a new pair of gardening gloves please.