Money Crunches Mother's Day Shoppers

It's Mother's Day. A time to show mothers and grandmothers how they are appreciated. This year a hurting economy may get in the way of that. Gas prices have been hard on everyone, especially on the holidays. Mother's Day is no exception.

Since ten o'clock this morning, Ashby and Reed Ward have been scrambling to do some last minute Mother's day shopping. However, like most people shopping for mom this year, they are fishing for the perfect card and small gift that won't break their pockets.

"Gas prices are always going ot be a problem because it will limit people going places. So maybe that last minute shopper like we are who put it off too many times will not show up," says Ashby Ward.

Many are not surprised how the economy is affecting mom's special day. According to the Associated Press analysts predict mom and grandma shouldn't expect big gifts this Mother's day, because of rising food and gas prices.

Mary Weaver owns a Hallmark store in Hixson and says the economy has forced many people to walk away from the gifts and check out with a simple card. The price of gas in Hixson is nearing four dollars, and Weaver says prices like those affect everyone.

"They really have to think about what they are doing this year because they are watching with fool and fuel like it is...everything we buy is shipped to us. When fuel goes up our shipping costs are more so its not only our store but any retail," says Weaver.

However the Ward brothers say that high gas prices aren't going anywhere, and that is no excuse not to shop for mom on Mother's day.

"We love her to death she has done so much for us so if a smile is all it takes we will gladly do that ( to make her happy)," say the Ward brothers.