Remember your MIL on Mother's Day

If you feel like cancelling Mother's Day because you have to invite your MIL (mother in law) for a celebratory lunch, here are 5 reasons to feel grateful to her:

• She is your partner's mother...
  

... What? Er, I mean, pardon? He's been driving you up the wall lately? Then you and his mother probably have something in common: putting up with his annoying habits.

• Your children have 25% of her DNA...

... Best to move on, at this point. Quickly.

• She is there when you need her. Sometimes too little, sometimes too much, but ultimately you can rely on her to help.
• To your kids, she is Nana or Grammy or Gran, and very much part of the family. Her existence provides the security net for them. They love her and she loves them, even if she's still learning to love you.
• OK, I'm sure there were 5 reasons. Honestly. Or maybe even 10 or 100. Feel free to provide your own one in the comments box below. 

And if you're thinking of buying a gift for your mother in law, have a look at the hilarious descriptions in Best Mother's Day Gifts For Your MIL.

Best Gifts For Mother's Day

Best Gifts For Mother's Day is not the most original topic for this time of the year. Ok, so slap me in the face with a wet fish, but I can't just pretend the occasion is happening.  (To see why, have a look at these hilarious reasons.)

Come Sunday morning, all the cafes will be booked out despite the recession, and mothers in countries as diverse as Australia, Malaysia and Denmark, will get wet kisses and burnt toast in bed.

And yes, we love both the wet kisses and the burnt toast, but what other great ideas can we dream up for Mother's Day? How about:

• me- time in bubble bath with a glass of bubbly
• your favourite perfume 
• a silk scarf
• books (how about "Not Becoming My Mother" by Ruth Reichl, LOL)
• DVDs
• a mug of hot chocolate in the afternoon
• oh, and forget store-bought chocolates - how about some creamy chocolate fudge made by the family (the mixture gets hot, so Dad needs to supervise).

And of course, Mother's Day wouldn't be complete without hand-made cards!

(For those of us who love lists and facts, the full list of countries celebrating Mother's Day on the 2nd Sunday in May is: United States, Anguilla, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados,Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Croatia, Curacao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Malta, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.)