Happy Mothers Day

Kenya in the recent past had no tradition of a mother’s celebratory day. But of late, the special day has found itself in the month of May, not only drawing many retailers to grab the opportunity to sell gift hampers and services on special offer but stirring activities for mums.

Most countries in the world celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May, including the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Germany. Mothers day in Kenya is now celebrated on 12 May, but celebrations will be running through the month in a few places.

Indeed, the May celebration has gained ascendency in the country over the past two decades, now booming with activities. Before, the country would merely tell mums “Happy Mothers' Day!” with no gifts or goodies attached, dropping a nod to the next most common worldwide Mothers Day, observed by the British and others in March. But that has changed as many online markets, restaurants and spas in the country are making a kill, to celebrate the day with mums.

This week, a few malls, restaurants, spas and social media are turning the full eye on mothers a few beginning celebrations earlier than the 12th. 
The Kaya spa and studio are offering mums a “Mama makeover”. Mums would be pampered with invigorating grapefruit body scrubs, followed by a calming lavender body butter massages, followed a soothing head massage. A stimulating manicure and pedicure and foot massage would complete the package worth Sh14,000 in total. The package also includes a mothers day gift worth Sh3,000. The offer is valid till the end of May, with gift vouchers available. For details contact Kaya Spa on +254 020720065 or kaya@tribehotel-kenya.com 

The Junction mall is offering shoppers a chance this weekend to shop as much as possible and win goodies. 

But the Westgate mall has even more zealous to celebrate mother's day. Mothers would be in for a treat as the Art Cafe as the mall hosts a Mum's fashion show from dusk till midnight. The venue would showcase the latest fashion trends as many sit back and enjoy from 6pm till 12am on Thursday 9th May. Models will strut down the runway donned in the latest collections available at Kache by Angie, Lavis International, Ivory and Woolworths. 

The event would be followed by a mothers day fair also at the mall from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th  May, featuring a magnificent assortment of gift items on offer.

Later, a special gift shower would follow on Sunday afternoon from 4pm, with thousands of gift cards dropped from the mall's skylight into its atrium that extends through the floors of the mall. Shoppers will also have a chance to collect gift cards with the possibility of walking away with fantastic gift hampers to give away. There would also be a mum's nomination to win a mother's day raffle with a possibility of walking away with a massage treat at a spa or a massive fridge! 

But it's not just about activities. Dads, sons and daughters also have an opportunity to shop online for gifts. Mothers Day Gifts to Eldoret Kenya from GiftBasketsOverseas.com is now selling gifts to mums in Eldoret, ranging from exotic wines and cheese, chocolates, flowers, spa treatment facilities, to mention a few ranging from $68USD to $700USD. 

Other gifts available come in as hampers. Melvin's flavoured teas including five varieties of Melvins herbal salt and branded “Melvin’s mum ceramic mug” is going on offer. In addition, Melvin' Tea is also offering a table padded gift pack that protects a mum's tablet with a padded cover ideal for travelling. 

All in all, as Mother's Day is celebrated worldwide, more than half of the spending will be on flowers. In addition, some four-fifths of Americans will buy cards, and much of the rest of the spending will be split across restaurants, spas, clothing and jewellery. For even in the hardest of times, there is little appetite to set aside the moment when everyone says thank you to Mum.

Which is why, in Kenya, this week ahead will see many a gift handed over and a meal served up for the ladies of East Africa who gave us our place in the world. And if the popularity of Mothers day in Kenya continues, perhaps, it could become a public holiday in future years.

Reference : www.kenyakidz.com