While the originator of Mother’s Day was concerned about how commercialization had taken over this day, how did the businesses in Marcus promote their sales for this special Day?
On May 5, 1955 there were many merchants that advertised. Harold’s Rexall Drugs is featuring very special gifts for mothers in the form of Vanda orchids. The exotic flowers are flown to this country in order to keep their freshness. The mothers of the community are invited to drop in and get one as long as the supply lasts. The orchids are flown here from the Hawaiian Islands. These orchids are Friday and Saturday, while limited supply lasts. (Send Father in for it if you can’t get in.)
Hogue Jewelry advertised, “Only the finest for MOTHER! America’s finest watch—Hamilton. Cora—$71.50. Payments to Please!”
Gamble Store—“Remember MOTHER! May we offer a few suggestions: Sunbeam Appliances. Cosco Kitchen Stools, Beverage Sets, Aluminum Pitchers, Aluminum Glass Sets, Revere Ware, Picnic Baskets, and a Complete Line of Appliances.”
Nagle’s Apparel—MOTHER’S Day gifts to show how much you care…Featured for Mom…fashions she’ll love for their practical and pretty ways…for their comfort and their cool outlook on the warm weather ahead. Fashions for fun, fashions for home work…fashions for parties and afternoons out. All over the store, you’ll find fashions…in lingerie (from $2.98), accessories ($1.00 to $1.98). EVERYWHERE!…that will thrill Mother and go easy on your budget!
Iowa Public Service Company—Redi-Kilowatt is crowning a housewife. She’s a Queen…she deserves an electric gift for Mother’s Day. Under $10 is a popcorn popper, heating pad, bed lamp, egg cooker, kitchen clock, TV lamp, travel iron, heat lamp or desk lamp. Under $20 is a knife sharpener, steam iron, coffee maker, portable mixer, waffle iron, table lamp, automatic fry pan or an electric casserole.
Under $30 is an electric fan, electric broiler, or a toaster. OVER $30 is a deep fat fryer, floor lamp, vacuum cleaner, electric roaster, food mixer, or clock-radio. See these gift ideas for better living at your dealer’s.
Baumann’s Bakery—Special for MOTHER’S Day…Friday and Saturday only—Roses-in-Snow cake as featured by Betty Crocker of General Mills. Roses-in-Snow cake is heart-shaped and beautifully decorated; made by experts from ingredients such as mother herself would use. Regular $1.25 now on Special for 79¢. They had another cake Regular $1.57 now on special for $1.29. See our beautiful cakes on display in our window. Place your order promptly. Be sure to get one of our delicious cakes for Mother. Also, Monday thru Thursday—1 dozen cookies at regular price and the 2nd dozen for 10¢.
Clarkson’s Food Market—Here’s OUR happy Surprises for MOTHER’S Day…Cold Cuts Special—Tongue Loaf, Olive, Pickle pimento, Old Fashioned Barbeque loafs, lb. for 49¢. A 25 lb. bag of Gooches Flour for $1,89. There is $1.00 in coupons in each bag. One Hostess Angel Food Bar Cake and a 10 oz. package of Libby’s Frozen Strawberries, all for only 69¢.
Now we go to what business places advertised for Mother in 1960.
Farmers State Bank—Their acknowledgement of Mother’s Day was a lady holding a sparkling crown with a “For Mom” tag tied to one of the crown’s points. Beneath the crown was “Family Queen?” No one could make a better candidate next Sunday. Mother is a queen, too, the moment she steps through our front door. We’re glad our service saves her steps, helps with the battle of the budget and makes saving convenient.
We’re strong for Moms here in our bank. We hope they stop in often so we can prove it. Happy Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8.
Niemann Jewelry—Mom will LOVE you for giving her a superb new HAMILTON watch—A. Irene is a 22 jeweled watch for $69.50 or B. Giselle watch is $55. Grand for Grandmother is a charm bracelet and marvelous for mother too. And, that’s true of so many fine gifts we have to show you.
Hogue Jewelry—Big Trade-In-Sale! Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8 (She likes a Lasting Gift). We have: Pendants, Bracelets, Billfolds, Clocks, Watches, Silver, Melmac, Diamonds, Shavers, Rings, Radios, Earrings, Necklaces, Jewelry Cases and Lots of Gift Ideas.
Harold’s Rexall Drugs—Sunday is Mother’s day. We have Pangburn’s Candy priced from $1 to $10. Also, Mother’s Day Cards, Sewing Basket with Candy, Colognes and Perfumes.
Toothpaste Bargains (Colgate, 2 for 89¢—Pepsodent: 2 for 89¢—Stripe, 2 for 89¢ and Rexall, 3 for 89¢). COSTUME JEWELRY—While they last, each—15¢. Stationary regular $1.00, special for 39¢. Famous Spray PERFUME reg. $2.00, special for 88¢. Evening in Paris Perfume and Cologne—both for $1.00. Friendship Garden HAND LOTION—price each for 50¢. COLOR SHAMPOO—Cara Nome, Regular $1.25 now Price Special for 62¢.
Nagle’s Apparel—Sunday is Mother’s big Day! DUSTERS make such nice gifts. Beautiful and practical new dusters make gifts mom will appreciate and thrifty prices make it easy to give. Choose here now—$2.98 to $5.98. New Jewelry for Mother. Lovely pastels and white for summer. Necklace and earring sets galore. Pins and Bracelets for $1.00 each plus Federal Tax. Dainty Delights—HANKIES for MOM. Thoughtful way to give Mom extra pleasure…add plenty of dainty, delightful hankies to her “big” gift—49¢ to $1.
Beautiful new DRESSES! What a lovely way to show your love and appreciation on Mother’s Day! A gift dress will surely please her…and the choice is easy, here. We’ve gathered many different styles in fashionable new fabrics, cottons, silk blends wear so well—$7.98 to $16.98.
NYLON HOSE—Mother always loves a new box of hose. Buy several pair at our new bargain prices on our top quality Strutwear hose. $1.35 Hose now $1.08 up to $1.95 now $1.32.
Clarkson’s IGA Food Market—DOLLAR DAYS at IGA for Mom…The lady who pushes the cart…May we take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Mother’s day. It has been our desire to satisfy all your food shopping needs by bringing you the best in quality products at the lowest possible prices. It is you we wan¢t to serve…it is you, we will continue to serve. Your IGA Retailer.
Mothers, enter the Gerber HAPPY FUTURE contest! Win up to $10,000 for your baby and win up to $1,500 for yourself!
Mother’s Day Special! IGA “Shirley Gay” first quality Seamless Nylons—save 40¢ on 2 pair—Reg. $1.89 now 2 pair for $1.49. (I wasn’t aware the grocery store sold nylon stockings!)
Wilderness PIE MIX (Cherry, Lemon, Apple) 4 cans for $1. Giant TIDE—you only pay 69¢. (Prices have gone up tremendously on these!)
Baumann’s Bakery—For Mother’s Day—Roses-in-Snow Heart Cakes for $1.29 or Butter Cakes for 98 cents.
Then there were articles from writers concerning Mother’s Day.
Pauline Larsen writes her concern for cats and dogs and what their caretakers should do to earn the animal’s trust and love. A caretaker should be like a MOTHER.
Sarah Hale explains, “There is no influence so powerful as that of a mother.” Small children can help with animal chores. For dogs, they can help feed, water, and maybe even walk him.
I sure like the next sentence—“Maybe the family could give her the week off from all dog chores”. “Pledge to not argue with your mother, even if you disagree with her on some point that you consider important. Consider yourself fortunate to have the chance to pay a tribute to that special person in your life.”
Dennis Hatchitt shared these lessons to be learned from Mom: (1) Appreciate a job well done: “If you are going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.” (2) Religion: “You’d better pray that will come out of the carpet.” (3) Logic: “Because I said so, that’s why.” (4) More Logic: “If you fall out of that tree and break your neck, we won’t go for ice cream tonight.” (5) Planning ahead: “Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you are in an accident.” (6) Irony: “Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.” (7) Stamina: “You’ll sit there until those vegetables are all eaten.” (8) Hypocrisy; “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times—don’t exaggerate.” (9) Circle of life; “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.” (10) Envy; “There are millions of less fortunate children who don’t have a wonderful parent/parents like you do.” (11) Anticipation: “Just wait until we get home.” (12) Receiving: “You are going to get it when you get home.” (13) Medical knowledge; “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes like that, they are going to stay that way.” (14) ESP: “Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold.” (15) Humor: “When that lawnmower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.” (16) Family heritage: “Shut that door behind you…do you think you were born in a barn?” (17) Wisdom: “What if everyone jumped off the ten story building/ Would you do it, too?” (18) Justice: “One day you will have kids and I hope they turn out just like you.” MOTHERS, how many of the aforementioned are you familiar with?!