ALTHOUGH Costa Rica deals with Mother’s Day in a religious context, that doesn’t mean the special day hasn’t been able to avoid the commercial connotations of most holidays.
In other countries Mother’s Day is celebrated in May, but in Costa Rica it is designed for Aug. 15, to coincide with the Virgin Mary’s ascension (when she rose to Heaven without living her body behind), since Mary is seen as the mother of all mothers. But regardless of when it is celebrated, the Mother’s Day hype and frantic search for a gift turn children and husbands into frazzled shoppers.
Among the traditional “buy, buy, buy!” options of celebrating the sentimental holiday, Más x Menos is offering a way to earn concert tickets for Mother’s day eve. Mothers who have the Más y Más card can accumulate points for money spent and turn those points into concert tickets. More points mean better seats for the Ricardo Montaner, Franco de Vita and José Luis Rodríguez concert scheduled at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.
A feminist way to express your love through consumerism is available through Fundación Mujer’s Gran Feria de la Madre, in which small businesses will put their goods on display – handmade goods, leather products, jewelry and more. The fair will be held today and tomorrow at the Ministry of Culture at Ave. 3, Ca. 17.
Several stores in downtown San José are holding their Mother’s Day sales. Anything a mother, or any other woman, could want – from bras to blenders to boots – is on sale.
LOVE doesn’t always come wrapped up in a package, though. Here are a few ideas, courtesy of The Tico Times staff, how to show mom you love her:
- To start her day off right, wake up a little early and bring her breakfast in bed. Coffee, orange juice and French toast on a tray with a fresh picked flower (from her garden) always made my mom a happy lady. Don’t forget to wash the dishes, too.
- One TT mom said the most important thing is to spend time with her kids. Make a memory together. Flowers die and jewelry gets lost, but memories are always with you. Go on a picnic, ride bikes, take a walk, participate in her hobby or go out for coffee.
- If you can’t spend time with mom, at least call. Don’t call collect. Or, send an e-card – the dancing and singing kind is more fun than a regular Hallmark card.
- Write a silly limerick or a touching haiku.
- Make homemade coupon books full of promises such as: one night on the town, back massage, dish washing, or a full day without bickering redeemable throughout the year and make Mother’s Day more like Mother’s Year.
- Make a family memory book. Compile photos of memories or important activities of the family and add photo captions to turn it into a family storybook.
