We received a truly fantastic response to our Mothers' Day competition where we asked CPSU members to tell us the best - and worst - Mothers' Day presents.
With entries spanning the full spectrum of emotions it was a difficult task to choose our favourites. Somehow we managed. Thank you everyone who shared the love... and pain.
Our top four stories appear below and all win a signed copy of Makeup: The ultimate guide by Rae Harris, one of Australia's top international makeup artists, thanks to our great mates at Allen & Unwin.
Winning entries
Some years ago, my (now ex) husband gave me a Shania Twain CD for Mother's Day. I hate Shania Twain and I'm pretty sure that he knew this. However, the woman he was having an affair with loved Shania Twain and the CD was actually for her, but he had forgotten to get me a present so just grabbed this out of his car and gave it to me! Sure made me feel loved and cherished! (NOT) - Carolyn
The best present ever was my gloriously gorgeous son Sam. After 3 years of trying, specialists saying it would never happen, all manner of negative things. Sam is here, he is real and tangible and beautiful. The specialists were wrong, it did happen, it was an almighty surprise, but the best gift ever. Here's to my first mothers day as a mum - Tennille
I remember my brother and I deliberating carefully about Mum's mothers day present one year when we were about six or eight years old. We decided on an ice scraper for the windscreens of cars. Not only did Mum not have her own car, but it was summer. She did a good job of looking impressed with our purchase though - we would never have known it was the silliest present ever!! - Angela
Mothers' day rolls around and my present is a couple of matching brass vases. Not a bad present after all? It would have been fine - if I hadn't already received some for Christmas and Birthday and the last three Mothers' Days as well. If one pair is great - 9 pairs must be fantastic! When I left the man responsible for these little gems, I took the kids and left the vases - Kathie
Highly commended
My 3 sons, when they were very young (all adults now with children of their own) sat me down on Mothers Day, many many years ago. I was told to hold my hands out and to close my eyes, and I was asked if "I had been a good girl" before opening the array of gifts displayed in front of me. I squealed with delight as I saw present number one....flowers...then I opened another gift from my youngest... a hand made paddle pop stick trinket holder, then came the crème de la crème ...from the middle son. As I opened up this tiny box, out came a wind up weenie....yes...a little plastic penis. I had to wind it up in front of the lads while this little weenie jumped across the table. The lads fell about laughing at the look on my face. They were so young (primary school) and didn't seem to pick up the naughtiness of the gift....it made them laugh so that was good enough for them. I am a Nana now....so I keep plotting my revenge!!! - Viv
Two years ago on Mothers Day her 27 year old son, Sean, arrived for a visit. I saw him walking up the driveway with 2 very large garbage bags full of dirty washing for his mother (Pauline) to wash and iron for him. I asked him if he knew what day it was. Sean replied, "Of course I know, it is Sunday isn't it"? - John
I received the Best & Worst present from my kids last Mothers Day. They decided that I needed some stress relief, so bought me a gift voucher for an hour's pampering at a local Wellbeing studio. I decided to take advantage of it on the last day of my holidays. The surroundings were sumptuous, the staff friendly, wonderful aromatherapy drifting through the room, waterfall music softly in the background... The actual relaxation therapy involved lying in a darkened room whilst warm aromatic oil gently dropped onto your 3rd eye, followed by a scalp & neck massage. Sounded bizarre, but actually extremely calming & peaceful.... On my way out, a phonecall from my daughter. Could I please drive to her place (10 minutes away) & mind her 2 toddlers as she needed to take the baby to the clinic? Feeling a little spacey-but-ok-to-drive, headed off for her place. Driving through her suburb, noticed that there were an annoying number of motorbikes, going single file, taking up the right lane...& I needed to turn off soon...how inconsiderate! I couldn't be late & have her miss her appointment...nosed my way into the line of them - they seemed a bit miffed too! And where were other cars needing this lane? Suddenly realisation dawned - I had actually pushed my way into a bikie funeral procession...about 50 in front of, 200 behind...& me in my little blue car, hair by this time dripping oil everywhere, calm long flown out the window... Of course, the toddlers were fractious &, on returning to work the next day, I discovered that the Soothing Oils had actually stripped all colour & condition from my hair, & my Bad Hair day continued for a week or more... This year, I have asked them for a dressing gown (honestly!) - Christine
An impact drill - John
I have to say that I'm one of the givers of the worst Mothers' Day presents! My sister and I one year (being 10 and 4 years old) decided that we would surprise my mum and make her breakfast in bed. So off the two of us toddled at 9 am in the morning to the kitchen. Needless to say that by the time my mum got her breakfast it was a sorry looking affair. We had burnt the toast, but covered it in extra vegemite to hide it, her tea was cold, the juice lukewarm from sitting out so long and the cornflakes resembled something that looked like porridge it was so soggy! But my beautiful mum sat there and ate the lot while me and my sister sat on the end of the bed watching, making "mmm yum" noises so as not to hurt our feelings! - Shari
I remember telling my then 9 year old daughter that I used to be a bit of a "whizz" when it came to maths at school, in fact I even said to her that I loved it so much. Showing off never pays if you are dishonest! To my horror the following mother's day gift to me was the" ultimate guide to triganometry" which I couldn't even pronounce let alone understand! I put on a convincing show how that was the best present I had ever received, crossing my fingers behind my back in fear of being struck down by lightning! I still have the book, and think the story will come out either on my daughter's 18th or 21st! Yay for honest and not so, Mums! - Sammi
A big bunch of flowers when suffering hay fever - Janelle
The worst mother's day gift I ever gave my mum was to write her car off on Mothers' Day 2 years ago - Rohan
My husband gave me a rifle for Mothers' Day in 1977! Admittedly we lived in Arizona and I was an active member of the rifle club BUT a rifle for Mothers' Day? What was he thinking! - Beth
