lifestyle

Gadgets before flowers – Japanese moms reveal what they really want for Mother’s Day

9 Comments
By Casey Baseel

Although the association of carnations with Mother’s Day began in the United States and stretches back over 100 years, I grew up never really being conscious of it (likely due to some combination of being a terrible son and having little interest in historical events that didn’t involve swords).

In Japan, though, most people are aware that carnations are a symbol for Mother’s Day, and a bouquet of the flowers is by far the most common gift given on the holiday. But while mothers across the country appreciate the gesture, one survey says there’s something they want even more: electronics.

With Mother’s Day (May 11) less than a month away, electronics manufacturer Panasonic recently released the results of a poll it conducted about Mother’s Day gifts. Not surprising for a culture that stresses the importance of familial bonds, 87% of the 1,000 adult men and women polled said they plan to give a present to their mom this year,

20% of participants will be spending more than they did last year, either as a result of getting a raise or finishing their education and starting their first steady job. On average, they expect to spend 6,795 yen, although one individual who’s either incredibly generous or mistakenly added an extra zero when filling out the questionnaire is looking to drop a cool million.

For those planning to give a gift, flowers were the most popular choice, with 37% saying Mom is getting a bouquet. At 23%, the number two choice was some unspecified kind of food or drink, with clothing and jewelry coming in third with 15%. Small personal items such as handkerchiefs or glasses cases came next with 12%, and just sneaking into the top five were health and beauty electronics, which accounted for 11% of responses.

But while these are the kinds of things children are picking out, what do mothers themselves actually want? To find out, Panasonic asked a group of moms in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and the overwhelming winner, being requested by 78% of those polled, was “health and beauty electronics.”

This is sort of unexpected, as a love of gadgets is still something more associated with young men than the women who gave birth to them. On the other hand, it’s hard not to imagine the implicit power of suggestion being in play here, considering the survey was conducted by one of Japan’s largest electronics manufacturers, which is itself in the middle of a multi-year marketing push for its personal wellness and beauty products.

That said, our own Japanese-language correspondent Anji says she gave her mother Panasonic’s Leg Reflex massager last year, after several years of happily using the same model herself. “It really helps the swelling in my legs, and I can’t live without it,” she gushes, while also mentioning the unit’s outstanding cost performance (apparently, Anji isn’t the one planning to spend 1,000,000 yen on Mother’s Day this year).

Mothers’ second-most-wanted gift was, predictably, flowers, at 73%. Another 67% said they’d like some kind of food or drink, 57% were hoping for small personal items, and just 11% said they be happy with a meal out or trip to a day spa.

A couple of differences jump out between the two gift lists. First is that, despite about one in seven kids planning to give their mothers clothing or jewelry, mothers didn’t show a particularly strong desire for either, at least from their offspring. Second, the figure for the list compiled from the moms’ responses add up to way more than 100%, so it looks like some are expecting more than a single present from their offspring.

But it’s really the thought that counts, right? Children certainly seemed to think so. When asked “Why are you going to give a gift?” the near universal response was, “To show my appreciation,” with 98% of participants giving that as their reason. We’ve got no idea what the remaining 2% are up to.

Mothers, for their part, said things such as, “Anything they put some thought into will be fine,” and “I’m just happy to have my children think of me as they choose a present.”

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Chairman of Japan Mother’s Society arrested, accused of beating wife -- Sorry, studs, you’re just too handsome for your own good! -- Halfway to adulthood: New Japanese festival for 10-year-olds gets parents talking

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

9 Comments
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Anyway, just reading the title, I imagined the "electronic gadgets" to be more like a new

Back massager

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Panasonic asked a group of moms in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and the overwhelming winner, being requested by 78% of those polled, was “health and beauty electronics.”

Well, I don't need “health and beauty electronics.” - my health and beauty are just fine... ;) Anyway, just reading the title, I imagined the "electronic gadgets" to be more like a new "Laptop" or an iPhone (both of which would be much more "up my street") however, if truth be told, I'd just like to know if my son still loves me even through our numerous squabbles...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good luck to ya, TrevorP...hope things work out and your mum recovers her perspective.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@ Trevor - I support your decision to follow your heart, but I hope things work out between you and your mother.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

My mom's so mad at me for wanting to stay in Japan and marry a woman I deeply love that I can't for the life of me figure out what to send her - she'll just get angrier. But that's her loss, not mine. At my age I don't need a mother any more, a lover is far more important. (I can just imagine the thumbs-down from mothers I'll get for that!)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

My mom might request some different children.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

the figure for the list compiled from the moms’ responses add up to way more than 100%, so it looks like some are expecting more than a single present from their offspring.

Or it could be some Mums have more than a single offspring?

I tell my kids I don't want cut flowers - they die too quickly. A potted plant (preferably some kind of orchid) is nice, if they want to go down that route. Other welcome gifts are toiletries from my favourite brands, chocolates (ditto), alcohol (ditto). Can't say that gadgets rank very high, though an iPad would be nice....

Best of all is the kids coming over for a meal and spending time together.

I hope they're reading this. :-)

2 ( +3 / -1 )

A full body suit might be another idea...

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Panasonic asked a group of moms in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and the overwhelming winner, being requested by 78% of those polled, was “health and beauty electronics.”

And if it was a cake company, 78% would have said "cake."

That said, our own Japanese-language correspondent Anji says she gave her mother Panasonic’s Leg Reflex massager last year..... “It really helps the swelling in my legs, and I can’t live without it,” she gushes, while also mentioning the unit’s outstanding cost performance.....

Product placement in the middle of a "news article."

5 ( +6 / -1 )

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