Mother's Day Gifts - What Not to Buy

Box of Chocolates - Chocolate is really a self-gift because mom surely won’t be able to eat all by herself. Plus, it’s not Valentine’s Day, so save it!

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Box of Chocolates - Chocolate is really a self-gift because mom surely won’t be able to eat all by herself. Plus, it’s not Valentine’s Day, so save it!

Expensive Jewelry - Sounds odd, right? Well, yes and no. If you know exactly (without a doubt) what mom likes, go for it. But if you misjudge, you’ve just spent a wad of money on something she will now feel obligated to wear.<BR><BR>On the other had, don’t go too cheap and infect her ears so badly she’ll need antibiotics.<BR><BR>The safest bet is small diamond stud earrings.

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Expensive Jewelry - Sounds odd, right? Well, yes and no. If you know exactly (without a doubt) what mom likes, go for it. But if you misjudge, you’ve just spent a wad of money on something she will now feel obligated to wear.<BR><BR>On the other had, don’t go too cheap and infect her ears so badly she’ll need antibiotics.<BR><BR>The safest bet is small diamond stud earrings.

Exercise Equipment - Unless requested or given to a fitness nut, exercise equipment implies – “Work on that midsection.” Don’t dare tell mom she really needs twenty minutes a day on a treadmill on Mother’s Day.

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Exercise Equipment - Unless requested or given to a fitness nut, exercise equipment implies – “Work on that midsection.” Don’t dare tell mom she really needs twenty minutes a day on a treadmill on Mother’s Day.

Gift Cards - There’s nothing that says, “I don’t have time. Buy yourself something…” quite like a gift card. Don’t be so lazy and leave mom to do &lt;i&gt;your&lt;/i&gt; job.

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Gift Cards - There’s nothing that says, “I don’t have time. Buy yourself something…” quite like a gift card. Don’t be so lazy and leave mom to do <i>your</i> job.

Book of Vouchers - Like do dishes. Make dinner. Take mom out for coffee. Be real. You won’t honor them, and empty promises will only make mom mad.

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Book of Vouchers - Like do dishes. Make dinner. Take mom out for coffee. Be real. You won’t honor them, and empty promises will only make mom mad.

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Any Household Item - Don’t get an iron for mom, electric blender, apron or toilet-bowl brush set. Giving her a brand new appliance is not going to get her to start baking or on laundry duty. In fact, kitchen products rank high on the list of no-no's you should beware of.

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Any Household Item - Don’t get an iron for mom, electric blender, apron or toilet-bowl brush set. Giving her a brand new appliance is not going to get her to start baking or on laundry duty. In fact, kitchen products rank high on the list of no-no's you should beware of.

Nothing - And then there are the standbys, like only a card. &lt;i&gt;It’s the thought that counts&lt;/i&gt; won’t fly here. Look, it’s the woman who brought you into this world! C'mon, you can do better.

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Nothing - And then there are the standbys, like only a card. <i>It’s the thought that counts</i> won’t fly here. Look, it’s the woman who brought you into this world! C'mon, you can do better.

Slippers - How overdone is that! And don't even think about getting her a robe instead.

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Slippers - How overdone is that! And don't even think about getting her a robe instead.

A Gift You Really Want For Yourself - A power drill, Bow Wow CD or complicated gadget is not for mom. Stick to what she likes, not what you want.

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A Gift You Really Want For Yourself - A power drill, Bow Wow CD or complicated gadget is not for mom. Stick to what she likes, not what you want.

Makeup - Seriously, do you know what really works with mom’s complexion? Are you a makeup artist? If not, stay far, far away from the beauty counter. It’s a setup waiting to happen.

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Makeup - Seriously, do you know what really works with mom’s complexion? Are you a makeup artist? If not, stay far, far away from the beauty counter. It’s a setup waiting to happen.