Mother's Day gifting ideas: What to give, what to avoid

Shaina’s parents struggled to raise her to become a successful woman. Now she is independent and wants to go beyond basic, traditional gifts for them. Mothers, of course, would be happy to receive anything from their children. But most of these gifts have limited value. This Mother’s day, Shaina decided on something timeless. She gifted her mother financial freedom!  This year, celebrate the occasion in a different way. You are a modern-day millennial. Show your love towards your mother through responsible gifting. Here are some examples of what you should and should not give her: Gift health security                  Old age brings along health issues. This is a fact we have to acknowledge. Your mother is not getting any younger. With every passing day, she needs more care. Take her for a complete health check-up. Ensure that she gets a nutritious diet. Show her that her health is a priority for you. Your presence is likely to keep her upbeat. Nothing can replace good health. Avoid roses and sweets A mother’s love has the aroma of flowers and the sweetness of chocolate. But, flowers and chocolates are as outdated as dinosaurs. The flowers will wilt in a few days. Chocolates are sugar monsters for your ageing mother. Your sweet and scented gesture would be forgotten soon. Gift financial freedom Parents go through a lot to bring you up. You may not even know about the financial difficulties they faced. They don’t like asking for money from their child – one whom they once gave pocket money to. So, instead of gifting money, gift them financial security and freedom. What you can do is invest a lump sum amount for your mother in the UTI MF Family Facility. UTI Mutual Fund’s new offering allows you to avail a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). Use this facility to make a direct payout to your mother’s account. This scheme is available for the growth option of UTI MIS Advantage Plan and UTI Wealth Builder Fund. This ensures a fixed monthly income for your parents. Avoid asking for free food in an indirect manner Your mother is happy to cook your favourite dishes. It maybe one of her much-loved hobbies. But she has been doing this her whole life. Do not gift her a fancy food processor or any other kitchen gadget. Let her be free from kitchen responsibilities. Otherwise, even on her special day, she will be toiling away for you. Gift her wings to fly Your mother was so busy nurturing you that she may not have had any time for herself. Gift her some time off from household chores and responsibilities. Book a vacation for two. Let her experience the freedom she missed. Or enrol her at a hobby class. Give her a chance to be a carefree girl again. Avoid clichéd gifts ‘You’re the world’s greatest mum’. There are several gifts with such declarations. But your mother already knows that. It is best to convey your emotions through words. Saying that you love her is far more valuable than a greeting card, mug, t-shirt, or photo frame. A mother’s love is unconditional. She never expects anything from her children. Nothing has the power to repay her love. But you can definitely show that you care for her. This is a partnered post.