Businesses Prepare For Extra Spending This Mother's Day

CEDAR RAPIDS - This weekend, Americans will celebrate their moms.

They'll spend about eight percent more on Mother's Day than they did last year. The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend $18.6 billion this holiday. That breaks down to about $152 a person. Last year, Americans spent, on average, $140 on the holiday.

Eastern Iowa businesses are already seeing people rush in to spend cash on mom. It's becoming a busy time for many with the holiday just a couple of days away.

Workers at Nadia's Salon and Spa are selling a lot of gift cards right now. People typically spent about $100 there, for the special women in their lives. Salon workers said they've continued to see sales go up for Mother's Day each year. The Nadia's crew said sometimes mothers like the gift of a relaxing salon treatment more than a typical gift, like chocolate.

"Usually chocolate doesn't last very long but a message is something that is actually beneficial to you. You can actually have time to relax and you don't have as many extra calories as you do with chocolate,” said Nadia's Adrienne Bailey.

Restaurants are also preparing for a busy Sunday.

Cibo Fushion in Cedar Rapids is holding a Mother's Day brunch, like it has for five years now. They call it a grand bunch with everything from seafood to prime rib. The restaurant owner said he nearly doubles his staff to honor Mothers on what has become one of their biggest brunch days of the year. With just a couple days to go, the food preparations are already beginning.

"Mother's are very special. So, I think that's the day that everybody, no matter what, it is that people come back and see mom and take care of mom and thank mom for being a mother,” said Cibo Fushion Owner Tony Kassouf.

The brunch takes place Sunday, May 13 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.