MOTHER'S Day, which falls this year in Egypt on Sunday, March 21, is good news for store owners, according to Rashad Shehata, who himself owns a shop and has been making a lot of money over the past few days. He adds that there is a high demand for kitchenware, such as spice containers, which sell for around LE35 (about $6) and sets of glasses costing LE40 ($7), as well as imported water jugs and mugs. In Egypt, it's not just mothers who get presents; many children at primary and preparatory school buy their teachers presents too, as Hassan Mohamed, the manager of a Cairo gift shop, explains. “Elder sisters and aunts sometimes get presents too on Mother's Day. I myself buy three gifts every year ��" for my mother, her sister and my motherin- law,” says Mohamed. Ahmed Abdul-Hamid, a 20-yearold student, buys a present every year for his mother's friend, who has been like a mother to him ever since his own mother died ten years ago. Samah Taha, who works in a gift shop, told Al-Messa' daily newspaper that she often has to help young people choose presents for Mother's Day. ”Most of them start buying only a day or two before Mother's Day, because of life's expenses,” she added. Sabri el-Sanhouri, who owns a clothes store, says many people buy galabias (the traditional Egyptian longdress) as Mother's Day presents. He does well as Mother's Day approaches, as well as during the winter sales. “I always buy my mum a Mother's Day present, even though she deserves a lot more than what I give her,” says Hoda Kamal, a civil servant. Samar Ahmed, another civil servant, says that she's just spent LE750 (about $135) on a new coat for her mum for Mother's Day. She stresses that it's the thought that counts, even if some people can only afford a single flower for mama. Shaimaa Samir, a university student, is still wondering what to buy her mother. Tareq Rashad, an accountant, says that he and his brothers and sisters club together to buy their mum a nice Mother's Day present every year. This year, they're sending her to Saudi Arabia to perform the Omra (Minor Pilgrimage). “My mother cried with joy when we told her about this really special Mother Day's present,” he adds.
