CELEBRATIONS

Americans plan to spend less on Mom

Sorry, Mom.

Consumers are planning to trim their Mother's Day giving this year, according to a National Retail Federation survey. Shoppers will spend an average of $138.63 this year, compared to $139.14 last year, the survey found. Total spending is expected to stay roughly unchanged at nearly $15.8 billion.

Popular gifts include a special dinner or brunch (representing $3 billion in spending), jewelry ($2.7 billion), flowers ($2 billion) and clothing and accessories ($1.4 billion).

"Consumers will be very cautious with their wallets this Mother's Day, heeding Mom's advice that she really doesn't need much," said Phil Rist, vice president of strategy for Bigresearch, which conducted the survey for the retail group. "Gas prices and other economic issues will still be at the forefront of people's minds as they shop around for the perfect gift for Mom."

Mother's Day is May 11.

Average wedding costs $30,000

The average cost of a wedding today is $30,000, according to Katherine Jellison, author of the recently published "It's Our Day: America's Love Affair with the White Wedding, 1945-2005."

Elaborate weddings are a recent phenomenon, Jellison said. It wasn't until after World War II that Americans had enough disposable income to marry in such a formal fashion. American consumers are now pinching their pockets and struggling amid rising food costs, gas prices and a worrisome economy, but the $50-billion industry continues to boom.

Still, there is a growing movement toward fiscally and environmentally friendly weddings and indie brides.

"People are starting to hold giveback weddings, where guests are urged to donate to a charity instead of buying them silverware," said Jellison, who is an associate history professor at Ohio University.

REGULATION

Alcohol content labeling sought

Consumer advocates are pressing the Treasury Department to develop labels for alcoholic drink packaging to let people know how much alcohol is in each serving of liquor.

The groups want the department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade bureau to expand the information included in proposed drink labels. They want labels that reveal the amount of alcohol per serving, the definition of a standard drink and the U.S. dietary guidelines on drinking.

"I think people have no idea how much alcohol is in a standard drink," said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League. "They need to know that to make the right choices."

Last July, the Treasury Department proposed labeling alcoholic drink packages with percentage of alcohol by volume along with the number of calories, carbohydrates, fat and protein for a standard serving size. But consumer groups complained that the proposed label didn't list the amount of alcohol in each serving, the amount defined as a standard drink and the U.S. dietary guidelines for how many drinks an individual should have in a day.

The department is analyzing comments to determine if and how to move forward, spokesman Arthur Resnick said.

RECALLS

Key chains cited for lead danger

About 12,000 "Hip Charm" key chains, distributed by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and made in China, were recalled because the charms on the key chain can have high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested by children, the company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Wal-Mart received a report of a 9-month-old girl with high blood lead levels after she put the key chain in her mouth. Health authorities are monitoring her condition as lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms.

The recalled key chains, with the UPC code 31568 11017, have several charms hanging from a silver-colored chain including a button, clover, leaf, heart and sand dollar. They were sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from April 2005 through this month. For more information, consumers can visit www.walmartstores.com and click on the Facts & News link, or www.cpsc.gov.

* About 9,000 Western Rider push toys, manufactured in China and imported by Santa's Toy Corp., were recalled because surface paint on portions of the toys contain excessive levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested by children. The toys were sold at dollar and discount stores around the country between February 2005 and February 2008. For more information, call (800) 638-2772cpsc hotline or visit www.cpsc.gov.

* Grand Carnival is recalling S'morestick Kits because milk in the chocolate is not listed as an ingredient on the packaging. This could be dangerous for people with milk allergies. The kits were sold in clear plastic tubes with a "use by" date of 2/14/09. They were distributed to Garden Ridge stores in Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Arkansas, Michigan and Indiana. For more details, call (877) 305-3382.

From Times Staff and Wire Reports