The Treatment
She might say that all she wants for Mother’s Day is your love and respect, but we are fairly sure your mom wouldn’t turn down a thoughtful gift, too.
However, you still owe her that love and respect--there is no buying your way out of that.
If you decide to throw in the gift, jewels are often welcome. Fred Meyer Jewelers at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks is offering a half-carat princess-cut diamond and platinum ring for $999.
A blue sapphire cameo pendent of a mother and child sells for $199 at Camarillo’s Ultra Diamond and Gold Outlet. This pendant, which comes with an 18-inch 14-carat gold chain, has been very popular for Mother’s Day, according to assistant manager Christy Bowen.
Jewelry isn’t the only way to show how much you care--you can’t go wrong with flowers. Roses are nice, but floral designer Lisa Rillera of Michael’s Flowers in Simi Valley suggested a big bouquet of spring flowers.
At Michael’s, they come in assorted vases and range from $49.95 to $64.95, she said.
At Conroy’s Flowers in Oxnard, Jumana Bandukwala also suggested a spring bouquet that brings cheer and color in a vase or basket from $35 to $50 per arrangement.
The customary red or pink roses are also available for $69.99 a dozen, she said.
“If you are going to buy flowers for Mother’s Day you need to book them early, especially if you want them delivered,” Bandukwala said.
For something less traditional but loved by mothers all over the world, consider the adorable teddy bears made by Thousand Oaks resident Marian Robinson.
The seven- to 22-inch creatures take her about eight hours to make. It takes another six or seven hours if the teddy bear needs clothes.
Each bear is an original and made out of German mohair, like the German-made Steiff Bears that are extremely collectible, she said.
The self-taught teddy bear artist uses glass eyes and pearl cotton for the nose. These bears come with a warning label saying they are not for children under 8, because of the glass eyes, she said.
“Most mothers like teddy bears and most teddy bear collectors are adults,” Robinson said.
The 76-year-old’s bears are not available in stores. She takes them to bear shows and has customers from all over the United States, she said.
Her bears sell from $30 to $125, depending on size and style, and she can be reached at 495-2993.
For moms who would prefer to be pampered, there are salons and spas popping up everywhere.
Yamaguchi Salon and Day Spa in Ventura offers two packages for mothers.
One is a Mom’s Makeover for $230 that includes a one-hour massage and a feng shui consultation, with a lengthy questionnaire to take into account more than a person’s outside appearance when determining the haircut and color that come with the package. Herbal teas are served as well as lunch. This package takes about six hours, said general manager Patricia Shepherd.
The other package, called Mom’s Escape, takes about eight hours and costs $295. It includes the one-hour massage, a European facial, a ginger oil tea scalp treatment, manicure, pedicure, makeup application, lunch and herbal tea.
“A day at the spa is calm and relaxing,” Shepherd said.
In Thousand Oaks, Jamie’s Hair Design and Day Spa also has a package that can be ordered over the phone. A gift certificate is mailed to the recipient, manager Linda Wetter said.
The package takes about four hours and costs $170. It includes time in the steam room, a massage, a manicure, a pedicure and a one-hour facial, she said. Lunch is also served.
The gift certificates at both spas can be used at the recipient’s convenience.
We feel certain any of the above gifts or combination thereof will make any mother happy on her special day. Just don’t forget that love and respect thing.
Nancy Needham writes a weekly consumer column and can be reached at nancy.needham@reporters.net.
