BEDFORD—Forget the protein powder and put down the mop. According to a recent survey of Indiana mothers, weight loss products and cleaning supplies top the list of least desirable Mother’s Day gifts.
The survey, conducted by Mixbook and polling 2,504 moms and their children, revealed a clear message: gifts implying a need for self-improvement or more housework are unwelcome. Thirty-two percent of Indiana mothers cited weight loss products as the absolute worst gift, while 29% ranked cleaning supplies as the second least favorite. Rounding out the top three at 17% was a “How to Cook” cookbook.
The complete list of worst gifts, according to the Indiana respondents, includes:
- Weight loss products: 32%
- Cleaning supplies: 29%
- “How to Cook” cookbook: 17%
- Self-help books she didn’t ask for: 7%
- Gas station flowers: 6%
- Chocolates from another holiday: 4%
- Gift card to your favorite store: 3%
- Last-minute homemade coupon book: 2%
The survey also touched on the pitfalls of forgetting Mother’s Day altogether. Over half (52%) of respondents admitted to delivering the classic “It’s the thought that counts” line after their child forgot the occasion.
When it comes to emergency gift solutions, cash was the most common quick fix (35%), followed by hugs and hopeful forgiveness (31%).
So what gifts do Indiana mothers truly appreciate? The survey found that heartfelt gestures resonate most. Handmade gifts were cited as the most meaningful by 27.5% of moms, followed by special experiences (21%) and handwritten cards or letters (16%). Only 4% identified luxury or high-end gifts as the most treasured.
When ranking gift preferences, personalized or handmade gifts and special experiences consistently scored highest, while tech/luxury items and traditional gifts like flowers and chocolates ranked lower.
Interestingly, a majority of mothers (55%) appreciate any effort, even if the gift isn’t perfect. When asked how they’d prefer to spend Mother’s Day, nearly half (46%) simply desired a quiet day at home with family.
The survey also highlighted the importance of including mothers in photos, with 43% of families making sure Mom is in the frame. Personalized photo gifts were deemed particularly meaningful by 54% of respondents.
“Mother’s Day doesn’t need to come with a big price tag or a grand production – what moms really want is to feel seen, appreciated, and maybe not handed a mop,” said a Mixbook spokesperson. “Our survey shows that a heartfelt note or a bit of thoughtful planning goes a lot further than cleaning supplies or last-minute panic gifts. This year, skip the diet tea and frame a memory instead.”
