Do You Give Your Spouse a Gift on Mother's or Father's Day?

In households around America, Mother's Day means a badly (but lovingly) prepared breakfast in bed, flowers picked from the garden and tiny handprints in clay. Father's Day means barbecues and ties that are destined for the bottom of the sock drawer. In some families, spouses show appreciation for each other on these days with special gifts, while others leave the gift-giving to the kids. What is the practice in your family? I spoke to some friends about what they do with their spouses.

Thanking your Spouse for your Children on Mother's or Father's Day

Those who give their spouse a gift on Mother's or Father's Day generally think of it as a way to thank them for blessing them with children.

Angel Sharum says, "I usually get some little something for Roy. Of course, I but him I love you presents all the time...just little things, anyway. I like to thank him for being a great dad on Father's Day!"

Jo Brielyn adds, "I usually get my hubby something small from me. I also help the kids make or buy something special for him. We don't go crazy spending lots of money. Instead, we try to plan a fun, relaxing event we can all do together. We usually spend the day doing something outside like going for a hike or camping since that's what he really enjoys doing." She goes on to say, "I guess the way I look at it is he gave me the two greatest gifts of all when he helped create our little girls, so he deserves a day to be honored!"

Robert Arend agrees. "The Sweety is the mother of our children. Of course she has always received a nice present from me."

I Ain't yo Mama!

Those who do not get a Mother's Day/Father's Day gift for their spouse generally claim that their spouse is not their mother or father, so why should they give a gift? However, they will often assist the kids in getting something for the day's honoree.

Gillian Taber says, "I used to get stuff for daddy for the kids to give but not between us. It's a commercial thing that I have long since turned my back on."

Some people, although they do not get gifts for their spouses, find other ways to honor them on Mother's or Father's Day.

Susan Sosbe says, "I try to get a cookout or get-together planned at our house so Doug doesn't have to go anywhere and he still gets to see his daughters and grandkids." She adds with a grin, "And a day without nagging. He seems to like that."

The spousal gift on Mother's/Father's Day is a matter of personal preference. Whether you choose to get your spouse a special gift, organize a get-together or ignore the day completely is up to you-and you are likely to have plenty of people who agree with you.