A day to spoil mums despite dark clouds on the horizon
Economics doesn't seem to be factored in when it comes to dads helping children spoil their mums for this Mother's Day.
Businesses have reported that rising inflation and economic uncertainty have failed to ruin the day this year, with most of the specially organised buffets fully booked and businesses reporting even higher spending on Belgian chocolates and spa packages than last year.
Tayma Page Allies, designer for Tayma Fine Jewellery, said buying jewellery for Mother's Day was a family affair.
Dad would either come into the shop and advise his children on an appropriate gift or buy the present and give it to his children to give to their mother today.
Ms Allies said one of the most popular items for Mother's Day was a pair of diamond hoop earrings with detachable gemstone drops, pearls and gemstone studs.
Along with luxury jewellery, Mother's Day is often incomplete without a beautiful bouquet of carnations. Sakina Mok Lai-ming, manager of South China Trading, a florist at the flower market in Prince Edward, said smaller bouquets and flower basket were the most popular Mother's Day gifts.
'Usually the younger children will buy flowers for their mum. Sometimes the children pick the flowers and their father pays for them.'
Ms Mok said potted plants and flowers had become more popular for Mother's Day in recent years as people had become more conscious of environmental issues. And carnations were not always the most popular flowers.
'Daughters often pick the flowers they like for their mum, and red roses are a favourite,' she said.
A spokeswoman for the Belgian chocolatier Godiva said spending on chocolates for Mother's Day had doubled this year. More buyers were choosing dark chocolate, which was considered a more healthy sweet treat for mum.
Annie Fung Lam-ying, spa director of More than Skin Urban Spa in Central, said there had been a 30 per cent increase in spending by customers wanting Mother's Day spa packages, with most bookings for grooming treatments such as manicures.
Luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons have also seen a noticeable increase in the sale of spa boutique gift items such as candles, robes, diffusers and room fragrances.
There has also been an increase in gift-certificate sales.
Reservations for gourmet buffets have been strong at the InterContinental Hotel, with its Sunday brunch sold out and only a limited number of spaces left at other restaurants in the hotel.
