This simple necklace is my favorite memento from my first Mother's Day.

Angela Smith | Contributor

What does a mom want for Mother’s Day? Just to feel loved.

I remember the first time the holiday came around when I was a new mom. I felt like mommyhood so consumed my entire being that the holiday needed to be marked in some special way. My husband, realizing the pressure was on, took baby and I to a local jewelry store and allowed my 11-month-old to pick out a delicate silver necklace that I still cherish and wear with pride.

Shopping for Mother’s Day is no easy feat for most of us. Moms, grandmas, stepmoms, godmothers and friends who are moms all deserve a bit of recognition.

Mother’s Day is a popular holiday for flowers, greeting cards and long-distance phone calls. It falls second to Christmas for top shopping honors according to the National Retail Federation. Average spending is reported at $126.90 to make the day special for moms.

That figure is up 2 percent from last year, which means $14.6 billion expected sales for this year. According to the national survey, nearly two-thirds (65.2 percent) of celebrants will buy flowers, totaling $1.9 billion. An additional 51.8 percent will treat mom to a brunch or dinner, spending $2.9 billion on mom’s favorite food.

Jewelers also will see some traffic this year with 26.2 percent of people planning on buying a special bracelet or earring set, totaling $2.5 billion. Others will buy clothing or clothing accessories ($1.3 billion), gift certificates ($1.5 billion), personal service such as a day at the spa ($933 million), consumer electronics ($906 million) and greeting cards ($671 million).

Many people feel their moms are hard to buy for; they have what they need, and don’t really want much else. The trick is to find a gift that reflects the love, the memories, the history and the togetherness that you both cherish.

The Main Street Area Association is sure that you can find something cooler than what your sister picks out - right here in downtown Ann Arbor. Local independent businesses are hoping to take in a percentage of that spending and encouraging us to shop local for the most unique Mother’s Day gifts.

On Friday many of the downtown shops will have special offers and stay open late. This Moonlight Delight Event promises live street entertainment and discounts at stores mentioned here.

When looking for the perfect gift, make it personal. Busy Hands is the perfect spot to find yarn, ideas and crafty gift for creative moms. Bella Rosie has a great selection of new spring dresses for the fashion-forward mom. And Carol Roeda Studio is full of great décor items for the funky chic mom.

Whatever you choose for the moms you celebrate this weekend, delivering it with a hug makes it all the sweeter.

Lead Shopping Blogger Angie Smith will hunt for deals and dish on the latest in retail and business news in Ann Arbor. Readers will attain notices of great deals and store happenings in and around the city. To report a news item or tip contact her at angieannarbor@gmail.com.