Hey big spender, today’s the day

Hey big spender, today’s the day

The National Retail Federation is predicting that the recession will catch up with mom this Mother’s Day.

Americans will spend an average (and don’t ask us how they figure this out to the penny) of $123.89 a person on Mother’s Day gifts this year, down more than 10 percent from last year’s $138.63, the NRF says.

Which could be good news for mothers everywhere.

How’s that?

Because the dirty little secret about Mother’s Day is that most moms would rather receive fewer gifts and more time from their sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters.

A big ‘if’

So, to the extent that you have a few dollars less to spend on your mother on this, her day, she’ll probably be happy if you assuage your guilt about buying a cheaper card, smaller gift or going to a less expensive restaurant by spending more time with her.

Note that the verb spend is used to describe how we use both money and time. Likewise, we talk about making money and time.

So, if you don’t have as much money to spend on mom this Mother’s Day, make the time to tell her how much she’s meant to you. And if there are a lot of miles between you, spend a big bunch of your cell phone minutes. Otherwise, you’re — how should we say this — cheap. Not to mention ungrateful, insensitive, self-centered and maybe a little lazy.

Not that we want to lay a guilt trip on you. That would be one of mom’s jobs.