Happy Virtual Mother's Day - As a Quarter of Us Say 'I Love You' Via Technology

MANCHESTER, England, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --



• According to drinks brand Lambrini, a quarter* of us plan to send best wishes via phone, email or social media
• More than half of us won't see our mums on the 30March
• The average Brit plans to splash £50 on gifts - with sons spending more than doting daughters
• Despite not always being together, three quarters of us still say it's the most important family day after Christmas
• Kate Middleton tops our list of mums we'd like to invite round for Mother's Day lunch, while Kris Jenner is the woman we'd least like to see at the table

It's a time to say thank you to the people we love the most.

But despite the hype and hyperbole, less than half of us will spend Mother's Day with our mums this year.

Instead 53 per cent of Brits will have to say 'I love you' from afar - with a quarter (26 per cent) sending best wishes via phone, email or social media.

Only 47 per cent will actually give our mums a hug, with 44 per cent opting to send a traditional card.

We might not always be there in person, but clearly Mother's Day still means a lot.

According to new research from drinks brand, Lambrini, more than three quarters of us (77 per cent) consider it an important family occasion.

A further seven per cent value it as the most significant celebration after Christmas with a quarter (26 per cent) always making plans to spend the day together.

Food is a big part of these get togethers, with 27 per cent heading out for a slap-up family meal, one in ten of us cooking up lunch for mum and a thoughtful two per cent even serving up breakfast in bed.

It seems we're still happy to splash the cash on our mothers too - with sons spending more than doting daughters.

So almost a quarter of all men (22 per cent) will spend up to £100 on their mothers this year, in comparison to 21 per cent of women, while another seven per cent of sons will pay out £20, compared to  four per cent of daughters doing the same.

Women are more likely to cook instead - with 14 per cent preparing the family lunch - while men prefer to take their mother's out for a slap-up meal - 27 per cent say they plan to book somewhere special.

At the same time fellas are more likely to phone home too - with a third (33 per cent) of sons always speaking to their mums over the phone, compared to 31 per cent of daughters.

Overall, almost three quarters of us (72 per cent) have budgeted £50 to buy traditional favourites like flowers and chocolates, and one in eight (12 per cent) will splash out £100.

Mums in London are the luckiest - with offspring there proving the most generous and a third (31 per cent) spending £100.

Another 34 per cent of Londoners always make it a family day -a higher percentage than anywhere else in the UK.

They might not splash the cash but Scots are most likely to serve up breakfast in bed and in Northern Ireland more than two thirds (69 per cent) are spending the whole day with their mums, more than in any other region.

When it comes to celebrity mums, genteel Kate Middleton tops the list of ladies we'd happily spend Mother's Day (chosen by 16 per cent) with, followed by feisty Sharon Osbourne (picked by 11 per cent).

At the same time pushy Kris Jenner is the famous mummy we'd like to avoid - with just two per cent saying they'd welcome her into their home.

Speaking about the findings, Lambrini spokesperson, Lorna Tweed, said: "Mother's Day has always been a special occasion but the way we celebrate is clearly changing.

"As well as traditional get togethers and meals, more of us are using modern technology to keep in touch from afar too.

"And despite the tough economic climate it seems we're still happy to splash out on the people we care about most - our mums, with men just edging ahead of women when it comes to big budget gifts.

"However you spend the day, it's reassuring to know that we still value these kinds of family celebrations. And even if you're not planning to splash out, sharing a glass of Lambrini with your mum on Mother's Day can also be a great way to toast this occasion to make mum feel really special." 

Get involved at https://www.facebook.com/Lambrini

Note to Editors: 

*Research conducted in February 2014 by OnePoll. 500 men and 500 women surveyed.

Be Drinkaware - Lambrini is a supporter of Drinkaware.co.uk and is a Portman Group signatory. 

SOURCE Lambrini