Today is Mother’s Day, a day set aside to honor moms everywhere. Declared a national holiday by Woodrow Wilson in 1914, Mother’s Day is now observed in more than 70 countries. And although Mother’s Day, like Christmas, has become over-commercialized, moms still enjoy the attention lavished on them by their children and their significant others. They are honored at church on Sunday morning and taken out to eat a special meal afterward. It’s all good, really. That is, until the gifts are opened.

Most everyone has a story to tell about someone in their own family, or maybe someone in their extended family, who gave their mom or their spouse a gift that was met with a less-than-enthusiastic response. There was that time that a favorite uncle gave his wife a garage door opener. Boy, was she surprised. And what about the teenager who gave his mom some jumper cables for her car? She was absolutely speechless.

And never forget the importance of a card. Stay away from the “funny” card, because in many cases the humor is lost on the recipient. Go for the mushiest card you can find. You’ll never go wrong with telling mom how much she is appreciated and loved.

So, in case there is someone who hasn’t already purchased a gift for Mother’s Day, here are a few that really should be avoided:

• An appliance of any kind, or anything that might be mistaken for an appliance

• Anything that can be used in the household cleaning process

• Pots and pans

• A gift certificate to Weight Watchers

• Any sort of bottle or jar with the word “wrinkle” on it

• Any kind of self-help book

• A 5-pound box of candy

• Pajama jeans

• A baby iguana

• No gift at all

On the other hand, to let your mom or the mother of your children know just how much you love them, try one of these gifts:

• A gift certificate for a day at a spa

• Tickets to a show or a concert

• An upscale Sunday brunch

• Flowers, whether from a florist or from the local supermarket

• A 1-pound box of candy

• A potted plant, for inside or outside

• Her favorite perfume

• Jewelry

• A book by her favorite author

• A gift basket filled with gourmet foods

Of course, anything a young child, or even an older one, gives his or her mother is guaranteed to make her smile. Moms are easy to please when it’s their little ones giving them a gift — even if it’s just a handful of wildflowers clutched in a grimy little hand, and given with a smile that could melt the coldest heart. Make that especially if…

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone.