There’s no doubt about the impression your mom has on your life, everyone has a memory of “mom”. Even in tragedy, everyone’s story begins with (at the very least), a birth mom. In that way and in so many more, Mother’s Day affects us all. More so than a religious holiday or a national holiday, this is a day (love it, like it or worse) we all have an opinion on. It’s no surprise brands have picked up on that over the years and decided to monetize it.
As a kid, Mother’s Day was made up of homemade coupons, breakfast in bed and cards made with crayons. Today Moms are bombarded with so much marketing, the message is that we aren’t pampered unless something extravagant happens. The past few years my Mom friends have felt burnt out on Mother’s Day. We all joke about the day being the same, but with the added pressure to tell everyone thanks for doing the things we typically do for everyone year-round. It’s a comedy of being treated exceptionally well on one day for the things we do 364 days a year.
I don’t think motherhood has changed much over the years, I just think we’ve all changed the way we view it. Marketing plays an enormous role in that. Maybe Mother’s Day needs a rebrand in simplicity. Maybe less is more? I wonder how the majority of moms feel. For me, I like hearing how much my family appreciates and loves me every day, it doesn’t mean more on Mother’s Day no matter how much marketing goes around it.
I love a great campaign, but when it comes to holidays (personally) I’m a minimalist. I love gathering around a homemade meal with my people, everything else is noise. But, if that’s not you—go big! There’s certainly opportunities for that and many brands depend on the “more is more” sentiment.
Regardless of my stance on consumerism tied into holidays, I do love these campaigns and I appreciate brands celebrating motherhood in both light-hearted and emotional ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEVsiKYnSBs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdQrwBVRzEg
The point I’m trying to make here is, celebrate however you’d like—whether simple or over the top—let marketing do what marketing is going to do, but make holidays unique to whatever inspires you, fills you and makes you smile.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.