For my mom's Mother's Day gift this year, my dad bought her a VERY expensive gift. Like, so expensive, when she told me, I was speechless.

What the heck?

First of all, let me just say that by NO MEANS is my family wealthy. My dad is retired military working for a vending company and my mom manages a gas station. When I asked him what prompted him to shell out so much for Mother's Day, he responded: "We've been married 35 years. It's about time she got something nice like that."

I love my dad. I hope I marry someone like him one day.

For those of us who can't afford to spend a lot of money on our moms, but Lord knows we'd like to, here are some Mother's Day sales going down locally.

• Cottage Chic: Click here for a coupon that gets you $25 off the purchase of $75 or more.

1232 East Blvd.

704-375-1888

• Her Therapy: Take 20 percent off full price jewelry purchase.

14815 Ballantyne Village Way

704-341-9100

• The Pink Hanger: Spend $50 or more now through May 8 on a gift for mom, get a coupon for 20 percent off your next item.

2935 Providence Rd

704-366-7272

• Sloan and STEP: Take 20 percent off of everything in Sloan and STEP including clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags and accessories.

1419 East Blvd.

Sloan: 704-338-1400

STEP: 704-376-1275

• Paul Simon For Women: Knit tops, cardigans and twin sets are 30 percent off, and selected spring sportswear is 40 percent off.

Myers Park Center

1033 Providence Road

704-333-6139

• Our Place: Accessory sale, with 1/2 off accessories and select spring clothing.

6700 Fairview Road

704-554-7748

• Pura Vida: Click here for a $10 coupon good for anything in the store.

1521 Central Ave.

704-335-8587

• Asana Activewear: Featuring a "buy one pair of fitness pants get the 2nd for only $19" sale.

3920 Sharon Road, Suite B130

704-366-8020

• Handpicked: Buy any sterling silver or original sterling and stone necklace and get any earring at 1/2 price in the store.

1721 Kenilworth Ave.

704.334.2037

8040 Providence Rd., Suite 600

704.541.1431

9844-A Rea Road

704.405.9780

• Black & Blue: Free gift with purchase of $50 or more for all ladies. (Starts Friday.)

532 Governor Morrison St., Ste C130

704-366-9339

• Fresh Boutique: Check out their progressive Mother's Day sale this weekend. Buy one item get 10 percent off, two items 20 percent off, and three items 30 percent off.

813 Providence Road

704-343-9071

• Heels.com: Take $15 off any order of $75 or more.

Click here for more info.