Belfast March 1st 2013: A recent survey by the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast has uncovered some interesting facts that should perhaps be taken into consideration by those heading out to purchase that perfect gift in the run up to Mothering Sunday on 10th March.<\/p>\n
The research, which was commissioned by the hotel to celebrate the launch of their Mother\u2019s Day package, asked mums across Northern Ireland about their favourite Mother\u2019s Day gift as well as the most \u2018interesting\u2019 present they have received from their children.<\/p>\n
The good news is that 90% of local children do buy their mums a gift for Mother\u2019s Day, although 20% admitted that the present is not always handed over on Mother\u2019s Day\u2026 but within \u2018a week\u2019 of the big day.<\/p>\n
The most savoured present of all, with 89% of respondents choosing it as the \u2018best\u2019 gift was some quality time away in a (preferably) luxury hotel\u2026although mums didn\u2019t expand on whether this was with or without the kids!<\/p>\n
Conversely, the \u2018worst\u2019 present ever received ranged from burned or undercooked home cooked meals (50%) to household appliances (30%) socks (10%) and even power tools (10%).<\/p>\n
According to the results, children in Co. Antrim are most predictable, with 67% buying the same Mother\u2019s Day token year on year…a box of chocolates. Kids in Co. Tyrone are most creative with 71% of mums saying their children made their own gifts from scratch.<\/p>\n
In fact, younger children (aged from 4-15) seemed to put the most effort into a gift for their mum, planning what they are going to buy or make weeks in advance, while the more \u2018mature\u2019 offspring were a little more last minute in their approach to gift buying, with almost 60% \u2018picking something up on the day\u2019.<\/p>\n
Siobhan O\u2019Sullivan, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Fitzwilliam commented: \u201cThe results of our survey are fascinating, it\u2019s great to be able to dig a little bit deeper and get some real insights into gift giving on Mother\u2019s Day. Reassuringly local people do value the \u2018queen\u2019 of the household and see Mothering Sunday as a great occasion to spoil the lady that does so much for them and show her how much she means to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the Fitzwilliam we have created a Mother\u2019s Day package that will appeal to all Northern Irish mums, and take the stress out of the present buying. The Mother\u2019s Day package includes a delicious four-course lunch with a complimentary gift for Mums from The White Company.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local radio DJ Emma Fitzpatrick added: \u201cMother\u2019s Day is such a special occasion. I love being able to spoil my mum and thank her for all her love and support over the years. I\u2019d be lost without her!\u201d <\/p>\n
And so what would Northern Irish matriarchs buy for themselves, given the chance, this Mother\u2019s Day? Encouragingly, 79% simply wanted to \u2018spend time\u2019 with their family. So give mum what she wants this Mother\u2019s Day, and spend some time over lunch at the Fitzwilliam.<\/p>\n