The National Retail Federation expects people to spend less on Mother's Day gifts in 2008 than in previous years.  Americans are expected to spend about $15 billion dollars for the holiday.

The owner of a local card and gift store says Mother's Day is usually a top-selling holiday for her shop--only behind Christmas and Valentine's Day. 

"We normally do a lot of gifts for Mother's Day normally.  In previous years, we've done a great job. But this year gifts were zero," Pat Singh, the owner of Kaye's Hallmark on Old Canton Road, said.

Singh says people bought mostly cards, but even card sales were down.

Restaurants are expected to take in more Mother's Day cash than any other business.  By three o'clock Sunday afternoon, there was still a long line of customers waiting to get into Barnhill's Restaurant.

"We wanted to take mom out to a special dinner and this is what she chose, so this is exactly where we came," Earl Yarbrough said.

The Yarbrough boys went all out for their mom, but it wasn't easy.  Gifts, cards, and the buffet at Barnhill's added up fast.  The restaurant is a full thirty miles from their home.

"I mean food and things are going up, but gas is what's getting astronomical," Yarbrough said. 

Since things are tight, the meal was a big surprise for mom.

"Well, I hadn't been out to eat in a long time.  It's been a while," Tonia Yarbrough said.