Before I begin, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunts, and all mother-type figures out there!
So I was trying to think of what I could do for Mother’s Day on my blog this year, sticking with my usual nostalgic theme. There isn’t much in the way of animated Mother’s Day specials of the past (I counted three in 2015, and I was only able to get my hands on one of them, in 2015), a commercial from my own archives in 2016, and well, I did print ads last year. So why not something that anyone (even a mother?) could love!
Nostalgic commercials!
(I’m not out of ideas).
And boy, do I have a trio of commercials for you!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – You Never Failed Me, Mom! (1980)
These Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints commercials really try so hard to push religion on us with as much subtlety as they can. This commercial is about how mom doesn’t have to be perfect, but she’s perfect in the eyes of those who matter most…her children!
Mom, you never failed me!
Kodak (1989)
Oh, freakin’ Kodak. You’re just as bad as Hallmark, with your tear-jerking memories, but this time, via photograph rather than greeting card. This Mother’s Day ad asks us when was the last time we took a photo with our mom.
To be honest, I use the same photo from 2015 for Mother’s Day every year. I took it at the Chicago and Earth Wind and Fire concert. Since we’re seeing Kenny Loggins in two weeks, maybe it is time to update the photo…?
Hallmark – First Mother’s Day (1984)
The baby did it! He bought the card, he wrote the message. All him, don’t give dad credit!
Hallmark – Mother’s Day 1980
“Frank, what’s this?”
Why, 1 of 952 ways to say “Happy Mother’s Day.”
952? Are there even that many languages (living or dead) in the world?
This soon-to-be-mother gets a card from the baby’s daddy (no, not a “baby daddy”), wishing her a happy Mother’s Day, and well…I can’t make fun of anything here. It’s a nice commercial.
Ok, the whole 952 ways. That’s so…specific. I’m wondering how many Hallmark has now, considering all the special and unique cards they tend to force on us for each holiday. Because “Mom,” “Grandma,” “Aunt,” “Any Mother,” and “Like a Mother” are not enough anymore.
Anyway, there you have it the “mother” of all commercial archives.
I didn’t say it was plentiful, it was short, sweet, and to the point. Which doesn’t describe at least 930 of those Hallmark cards.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Allison's Written Words