Update April 27, 2012  Make The 99-Cents Only Stores your first stop for buying Mother's Day essentials.  If your mom finds out that you paid more elsewhere she will make you feel very guilty that you did.  You will find great gift items including candles, fragrances, picture frames and you can't beat the deal on gift bags.  There are also party supplies and you can even put together a new set of glassware and dishware for mom.  Don't forget the chocolates!  See our Best Buys TV Show report below.

Mother's Day is the biggest day of the year for restaurants.  So, unless you are cooking for Mom, plan to make your reservations early.  And if you are having a group to celebrate Mother's Day, then be sure the restaurant has the appropriate table or side room for your gang.  Ask about special Mother's Day menus and pricing.  And for an extra touch, ask the restaurant if you can bring in your own decorations for the table such as family photos on centerpieces.

If Mom would appreciate a new leather jacket -- a stylish jacket that she can put away for colder weather -- then head over to Edge Wears in Downey. Edge Wears also has other quality items for Mom including handbags and belts and wallets. Watch our TV report below.

Mother's Day is also a big day for flowers so call your florist in advance and get your order in early.  Some Moms appreciate plants more than flowers so check your local nursery.

Mother's Day is also a time for jewelry and maybe the kids can all pitch in together to get Mom that special bracelet or necklace or earrings that she has always wanted.  Look for bracelets and necklaces with lockets and charms that can hold family photos or can be engraved with the names of the kids and grandkids.

A fine watch can also be a fine gift for Mother's Day, but you have to be careful about giving a watch because in some cultures giving a watch as a gift is considered to be unlucky.  There is a superstition that giving a watch as a gift indicates that the lifetime is running out.  Of course, no one has ever said that to me when I offered them a watch as a gift.

It's also okay to get mom a gift that she can use every day such as a coffee maker.  She can use it herself and when she gets together with the other moms.

Is it okay to get Mom a gift card or a gift certificate?  The answer is maybe.  You know your Mom better than the rest of us do.  A lot of people will say it's better to get Mom something personal, and something you picked out yourself.  But, if you know that a gift card to Mom's favorite store or a gift certificate to her favorite beauty salon would be perfect for her, then by all means get her that and be sure you put it in a nice envelope with a thoughtful hand-written note to go with it.  Even gift cards and gift certificates can be made personal and you can do that by writing something that shows Mom just how much this gift card or gift certificate is right for her.  Of course, if you can't be with Mom for Mother's Day, then a gift card or a gift certificate for her favorite restaurant or beauty spa or favorite store can be ideal.

There are some things you should not buy for Mom unless she expressly asks for them: don't buy a vacuum, or new dishes or new pots and pans or anything else that is associated with chores or mom-like duties.  You don't want to remind Mom about work on Mother's Day.

GUILT AND MOM

You can't have a report about Mother's Day without mentioning the very important subject of guilt.  If you moved away from home and you are not planning on a trip back to see Mom, believe me -- Mom is already planning your guilt trip.  That's what Moms do.  I learned about Mom Guilt Trips at an early age.

Years ago, I heard one of the "stories" that mothers tell their sons about a mother's love.  The story went something like this:

Many, many years ago there was a Prince who was in love with a beauty from another kingdom.  And the beauty said to the Prince "how will I know you will love me more than you love your mother, the Queen?"

"Oh my dear beauty," said the Prince, "I will do anything you tell me to prove my love for you!"

"All right then," said the beauty from the other kingdom.  "I want you to kill your mother, the Queen, and bring me her head on a silver platter."

And that night the Prince went up a long flight of stairs to his mother's bedroom -- to the bedroom chamber of the Queen of the kingdom -- and cut off her head as the beauty requested.  The Prince placed his mother's head on a silver platter and started to walk down the stairway when he tripped and fell dropping the platter.  And as his mother's head bounced down the stairs, the head spoke and said 'Oh my son, did you hurt yourself?' "

Now, imagine you're a ten year old kid, and your mother told you that story.  Yes, that's quite a story coming from your Mom.  And if that story doesn't screw you up for the rest of your life, what else will?