Sometimes, Internet traffic data makes one scratch his or her head. In reviewing the traffic over the last six months to flower and gift sites, I've noticed something I can't quite wrap my brain around.
When comparing the traffic of three major online florists and one gift site, Tiffany.com, I notice something interesting: moms don't make out as well as sweethearts.
For all of these sites, there are the predictable spikes around holidays. Christmas is a natural, but it's not nearly as popular as Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. What perplexes me is that the spikes are higher on Valentine's day than on Mother's Day.
While I'm perpetually single and may be biased, I feel like I know more people with mothers than with sweethearts. Furthermore, I know more people who would be able to purchase flowers in person and carry them to their sweethearts; more of the people I know live fairly close to their romantic interests than their moms. Maybe I'm just a mama's boy.
Do moms get other stuff than flowers? From that angle, it makes sense--everyone knows you have to give your sweetheart flowers, chocolate, or jewelry on Valentine's Day. Maybe moms are also getting pots and pans, power tools, computers, and flat screen televisions. Last year, I gave my mom a cell phone--but we also gave her flowers.
Am I missing something? Please feel free to weigh in with a comment.
19 comments:
One thing that might go to explaining this is that Mother's day was not the same date for all countries.
eg in the UK it was in March - and you can see a spike in the graph then. If you add that spike to the May figures , you almost catch up with Valentines Day.
I guess it would be interesting to know how many of their sales were addressed to non US recipients.
2 thoughts: Mom's have forgiven us all our lives and some of us take advantage of that. Secondly, if you fail to perform the holiday duty on Valentine's Day, you may find yourself having to move back in with mom.
Here in Ukraine Valentine's day is most widely celebrated among the three holidays You named. Very few people are aware of a Mother's day.
Maybe Feb 14 is the most "international" holiday?
You also settled my concern about our "International Woman's Day" (Mar 08) - as far as nobody buys flowers this day (according to Alexa) it is not international at all :)
Guy's I think Valentine's Day is more famous in our world compare to mother's day. I don't know why people become more close to there girl friend and so many are forget mother's day also anyway we should celebrate both with same interest and firstchoiceloan.co.uk make it easy for us.
Point well made... I think that mothers get more stuff from their kids and that is the way it should be, since when are we supposed tp get gifts just becasue we are mothers?
Personally, I am guessing that most people would rather get their moms more durable keepsakes for mothers day, rather than romantic ones like flowers that will die off in a week's time (although I do get my mom chocolates, because I know she loves those). Things like engraved knick knacks, or framed pictures from childhood, etc.
Also, I know this is slightly off topic... but the screenshot you posted was generated on May 19th... which seems to be the last date that Alexa compiled any data. Any plans for posting on why you guys haven't updated in 2 weeks? Just very curious. :)
My dad gets my mom a valentine's day present. Isn't it possible that men consider their wife to still be a sweetheart even if she happens to be a mom too?
IT just only show that your just a good son to your mom. And you will have to be proud of it cause only few of our youth today showing some importance and love to their parents especially to their mom's.And so as me as well I really don't have the strong relation to my mother, and as I read your article I finalized that it's time for me to look back all the glory and loved that my mom given to me.
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delia
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Being in the business of selling jewellery and handbags I found this year the two girls days were about equal. However, all women are eligible for a valentines present. Mums of course are required to have reproduced.
I would like to see how many of a website's sales were addressed to US and non-US recipients.
Thanks
Jay
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Mothers day is probably the biggest holiday other then valentines day, however we should not forget that it does not have to be a special day to give flowers to our loved ones .. I think mothers day or not any mother would appreciate flowers or small gift just because, without a particular reason ..
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Lets not forget Fathers Day, If it weren't for that I would feel neglected. But yes I do spurge on my wife for mothers day. She deserves it.
Besides all of the sweet things my kids make for me at school, my husband gave me a new video camera (I am a picture and video freak) and always have one camera with me at all times. No flowers here:) That's a good thing though because I told him if he spent $50 on one bouquet of flowers ever again, I'd get upset with him! I'd serioulsy rather have the $3.99 flowers from Wal-Mart. They are less expensive and they last longer. The last bouquet of carnations from Wal-Mart I bought lasted more than two weeks! The way florists spike the prices at certain times of the year is terrible. Everybody makes noise when gas stations price gouge but nobody does when florists do:)
One problem you have is the common supposition of the male dominated universe.
By definition, only a female would be celebrated on mother's day.
However, by definition, a "sweetheart" is your significant other.
This means that only the females who've reproduced would be applicable for flowers on mother's day.
However, any living human being, male or female, would be a valid recipient on Valentine's day.
So, while an 80 year old may gladly give his or her sweetie a gift of flowers, the statistical probability of them having a living parent is extremely low.
Hence, if we assume a given 80 year old is an average male, he could account for up to 2 gifts on Valentine's day, 1 sent, and 1 received, but none on Mother's day, as he'd neither send nor receive anything.
In my opinion, we know that our mothers will be there and love us without gifts expectations. They will hold their partner accountable for a special gift. For your sweetheart, you have to re-enforce your reasons to exist in the relationship by showing some appreciation.
RomanceExpressions.com
It's very interesting that you noticed this trend. I think a sweetheart definitely deserves flowers. Moms deserve everything else like clothes, gift certificates, money and flowers.
Diana P
We know our mother first before girlfriend. Who is more concern about you and who cares more for you is thereafter- that's what you received from them. So we show them our love and appreciation for them on Mother's Day and Valentine Day!
I think your right about mothers getting more than just flowers but also mothers can be 100's of miles away from their kids so just get a phone call whereas sweethearts are usually much closer therefore getting a present.
shane
I think that there is some basic flaws in your analysis. Mothers day is specifically for female's who have children. Valentines Day is for both MEN and WOMAN. So they are each buying each other a gift. On mother's day as the age gets older of a couple, I am guessing that you will find that the likelyhood of a mother still living is less and less likely,therefore, reducing the demand for flower, chocolate or jewelry as you say.
In addition, having been in the gift industry for nearly 20 years, and online for nearly 10 years, http://www.gemaffair.com, we find that Mother's day is no longer a traditional holiday. Meaning, your flowers, chocolate and jewelry don't necessarily apply anymore. More and more, Mothers, woman in general are wanting more useful gifts. I think that if you studied chocolate sales (as a gift) and flower sales as a whole (figuring in the population growth) that you would find many people are buying other things.
In closing, I really think you would need to factor in some changing trends and measure other sites to see if gift giving for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are really that different.
Oh, and kudos to the person who cited that we don't condemn florists for price gouging around holidays!
Michael
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