I come from a tribe of crazy critics of ‘important days’—Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Women’s Day, and so many others have joined the cynical line of these so-called ‘recognised’ Days by some international authorities or attached to some event somewhere in the world. Here, we are fueling the commercialisation of the sentiment.
Around the world’s favourite Women’s Day, I always remember a heated discussion within the SUBURB Team on how much importance should be given to this day in the issue despite being a flag bearer of women’s issues and greatly believing in women’s empowerment.
As we are closer to Mother’s Day being celebrated on May 12, I have observed closely for the last two weeks renowned lifestyle and cookery brands getting very excited about promoting their products as a gifting idea for moms. Are we serious? How stereotypical is this, especially the cookery brands, including appliances, glassware, and kitchen items, being suggested as gifts for moms? Why is the image of a mother in India imagined best working in the kitchen or looking after her household? I am flooded with press releases, product pictures and personal calls to promote their products as I hear them saying, “This is apt for Mother’s Day,” or “Best gifting idea for her.” Interestingly, most of the public relations managers of these brands who are talking to SUBURB are women, and despite that, they cannot break the social generalisation.
Is One day of the year enough?
Well, giving Mom the gift of our time and constant support as she is no more physically robust and ageing with aches and pains, carrying a lifetime’s wisdom in her eyes and restricted conversations.
Do we need to confine the celebration of these significant relationships to a single day? If we need to give gifts, why not consider items that reflect the person’s individuality and interests rather than stereotypical household items?
When will we learn to celebrate the people in our lives who stand by us through thick and thin? It’s crucial to appreciate those who are there not just in our darkest moments but also in our triumphs. These are the people who deserve our recognition, not just on a designated day but every day.
It is high time that we stop the commercialisation of the occasions.
Trivia
In 1914, then-US President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day the second Sunday in May. The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1908 in the US. After her mother died in 1905, an American woman named Anna Jarvis wanted to set aside a day to honour the work and sacrifices made by mothers. As a result, she held the first formal Mother’s Day celebration in Grafton, West Virginia, in May 1908. Soon after, it grew into a full-fledged movement.