Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Nurse’s Day

Day card and looks for a gift of some kind, not only to give their moms but to their friends who are moms. I think that’s far less true for dads, at least in my stores.

at least it is certainly neck and neck with gift sales. Father’s Day is probably a distant fourth after Christmas for gifts.”

“We sell Cloud Forest which are locally made chocolates, and we make them available in bundle packs with chocolates and flowers combined together. If you aren’t into flowers as much, we have beautiful local pottery items that are a gift in themselves. We have so many different potters in the area, and selling their work supports not only the person you are gifting, but the people who create the pottery.”

Not everyone always buys for the dads, but moms are not forgotten.” She added, “I think in part that moms tend to expect a gift of some kind, where dads don’t necessarily.” In fact, she asserted that “Mother’s Day is actually a bigger holiday than Valentine’s Day for me,

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Mother’s Day is also a big gift-giving occasion at Solabee Flowers in Portland, Ore. as well. Erin Jardine , florist, declared flowers are still number one at both of the city’s two Solabee locations. “It is just one of the greatest time of years for flowers, there are so many different shades and bright colors, lots of new springtime specialties come in at that time, and they are really special. What mom doesn’t love a bouquet, something extra and thoughtful before taking her out to dinner or for brunch.”

Additional big sellers for Mother’s Day include edible items and pottery. “We sell Cloud Forest which are locally made chocolates, and we make them available in bundle packs with chocolates and flowers combined together. If you aren’t into flowers as much, we have beautiful local pottery items that are a gift in themselves. We have so many different potters in the area, and selling their work supports not only the person you are gifting, but the people who create the pottery.” Additionally, pottery can come with a plant. “We have beautiful plants which of course last longer than flowers, for as long as you can take care of them.” Speaking of plant care, Jardine noted, “We will help you make sure you get plants that are specifically geared to your needs. We are very aware of light and water requirements. We want the plants and the people caring for them to both succeed.”

For Nurse’s Day, Jardine said that gift items lean more toward non-floral gifts, including “fun trinkets such as rainbow catchers and specialty candles and incense from makers in Portland. Oil diffusers also do well for us. My sister is a nurse, and I think the reason those types of gifts are so popular is because nurses do have to deal with a lot of smelly things.”

Another gift idea popular for moms and nurses too, are experiential. “We offer classes like macrame and wreath-making and that can be a very nice gift for someone, a class that allows them to enjoy something different and take time out for themselves.”

For Father’s Day, Jardine said she thinks a lot depends on the individual father. “I do think plants and

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Trends in Gifts (From page 76) pottery are a kind of universal gift appreciated by everyone in the family. I think what elevates sales here in that category is that we have very personalized service. We try to steer you in the direction of easy-to-care-for plants to help grow interest and knowledge. We give out care-cards with every plant, too.” She cited Hoya Kerrii plants with their heart-shaped leaves, and succulents as being popular both for their attractiveness and because they grow slowly and like bright sunlight, requiring less frequent watering as well. This all makes them popular plants for dads.

According to Jardine, “Classes are good gifts for dads, too. I think overall, people are moving toward gifts that are an experience or are locally made. Classes that are taught by local creators means you are getting local within local, and that is a very attractive element for people, too.”

The busiest holiday is “definitely Mother’s Day,” Jardine stressed. “But Father’s Day is growing. It’s easy for anyone to come in our store for any holiday and come out with a nice-looking gift that’s ready to give. We’re all busy, we don’t have time to wrap gifts at home ourselves.”

At Amy’s Hallmark in Spokane, Wash., Sales Associate Stephanie Borndt , speaking for owner Nancy Kehoe, concurred that Mother’s Day is the busiest buying holiday when it comes to gifts, but Father’s Day is closing in. “While Father’s Day buying is getting busier, I think everyone has a mom-figure of some kind in their lives, and they’ll purchase something for another mom even if it is not their own parent. That isn’t as true for Father’s Day.”

Borndt said it is important that whatever the holiday, store staff offers “suggestions for fun gift ideas. We can walk people through the store, and if they have trouble picking something out, we’re here to help. I would say among the most popular items for moms are mugs. Kids come in and will really look for something that just says ‘mom’ on it.” For Father’s Day, she said top sellers include “Tumblers and T-shirts with fishing and hunting themes.” As to Nurse’s Day, Borndt said tumblers are also big. “We also will put together special appreciation-item baskets. The actual items vary depending on what we have in stock.”

Overall, Mother’s Day is still tops in gift sales, but gifting is popular for fathers and nurses too, with a wide range of possibilities from plants and pottery to mugs, paper goods, and sweets in top positions. ❖