Believe or not, Mother’s Day is a really old tradition, dating back to ancient Greece, when people would honor Rhea, the mother of several of the deities in Greek mythology. Ancient Romans also had their own “mother’s day” each spring called Hilaria, during which they celebrated Cybele, a mother goddess. But the first modern-day celebration of Mother’s Day as we know it today was in 17^th century England, when citizens celebrated “Mothering Sunday” on the fourth Sunday of Lent each year. For this holiday, people would gather at the church to honor mothers and the Virgin Mary, and children would bring gifts and flowers to pay tribute. However, Mothering Sunday had pretty much died out by the 19^th century and didn’t reappear for nearly 100 years.

So, how did Mother’s Day “resurrect” and end up in the U.S.? The first official suggestion of the holiday came in 1872 by activist and writer Julia Ward Howe, who wanted the country to designate every June 2 as Mother’s Day. Although Boston celebrated the holiday for about a decade, Howe’s idea never really took off nationwide and it eventually fizzled. In the early 20^th century, a Virginia woman named Anna Jarvis picked up where Howe left off and tirelessly advocated for an official Mother’s Day in the U.S. An activist and social worker, Jarvis was well-connected and used this to her advantage when lobbying for official recognition of a day that would celebrate all mothers. Her hard work paid off. By 1911, almost every state in the country celebrated Mother’s Day and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday of every May as Mother’s Day.

These days, we all have different traditions for how we honor our mothers on this special day each year. Some of us have big family gatherings, while others attend intimate brunches and dinners. Most of us spend hours picking out the perfect gifts and bouquets of flowers. And all of us take a little extra time to thank our mothers for all they have done for us during our lifetimes.

When you’re figuring out how to spend your Mother’s Day this year, don’t forget that La Familia Pawn & Jewelry has tons of fantastic gifts, such as jewelry, musical equipment and electronics, at a fraction of the price that other retailers sell merchandise. And if you aren’t sure what your mom would like best, we offer gift vouchers that allow your mother to swing by one of our stores at her own convenience and choose something she loves.

No matter how you celebrate this year, we wish you and your family a very happy Mother’s Day!

To make the most of this heavenly time of year before the inevitable transition into summer, there are a few essentials that every home needs. This checklist might seem a little overwhelming until we deliver some good news – you can find most of these items in our stores! Read on to see what our familia thinks is critical to make the most of your springtime fun.

Beach “toys.” What better way to spend a hot, sunny day than to splash around in the ocean? Although many of us are perfectly content sleeping on the sand, some people prefer to be a little active while in their bathing suits. Things like surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks and boats – both big and small – can enhance anyone’s beach trip and engage a group of people hanging out together.

Electronics. True, when the weather’s beautiful, you don’t want to hang out on the couch, but electronic equipment doesn’t have to be confined to the living room. Stereo systems – particularly small Bose sound docks and other transportable speakers – are ideal for everything from washing the car to outdoor parties to lying on the beach. And a big screen TV – by way of an extension cord – is perfect for movie nights on the lawn or viewing a big baseball game during a cookout.

Sports equipment. Feeling a little spring in your step thanks to the beautiful weather? Whether you’re a golfer in need of a couple of new clubs, are in the market for a new bike or have been thinking about installing a hoop in your driveway, make sure you have all of the equipment you need to take advantage of the sunshine – and burn some calories.

Lawn equipment and tools. We all know that once it’s sunny and warm, the grass and plants in our yards require some extra TLC. Things like lawn mowers, shears and weed whackers should be standard for any garage. And, while you’re trimming your hedges, you might as well pull out your hammer and wrench, and fix that hanging gutter you put off repairing all winter.

Grills and patio equipment. There’s no better time of year to invite a few friends over, fire up the grill and enjoy a couple of beers than springtime. From mini-fridges to keep your drinks chilly to tables that display your delicious spread, make sure you’re armed and ready to entertain on a beautiful Sunday evening.

What is your favorite springtime essential? And did you buy it from a regular retailer or a pawn shop?

But while most of our merchandise is run-of-the-mill, let’s not forget that, at La Familia, our number one priority is meeting our customers’ needs … and that means we’ll take just about anything they bring in for loans. So, over the years, we’ve racked up some stories about interesting and unusual items that have made it into our backrooms. We decided it would be fun to poll our store managers to find out some of the most “offbeat” and unique – or just plain coolest – items that have appeared in their stores. Here’s what we found out:

Medical items – Like we said, we’ll take just about anything … and a couple of our store managers stand by that, even when it comes to medical devices. Jose at our Miami location at 1823 NW 79^th Street said he’s accepted a Medela medical grade breast pump and Omar at the 3615 West Vine Street store in Kissimmee currently has a prosthetic leg in pawn. So, if you’re in need of a loan and can’t think of anything you have of value except that old nebulizer or back brace that you haven’t used in years, there’s a good chance we can still help you out.

Sports items – At La Familia, we love sports – so we’re always excited when we get something really cool related to baseball, football, soccer or even squash. (Ok, maybe not squash.) One of our Miami locations recently took in a Red Grange card. For those of you who don’t know, Red Grange was a football hero when the sport was in its infancy and he made the NFL’s 1920’s All-Decade Team. Store manager Jose said that he had the card graded by the PSA, completely authenticating it. Very cool, indeed.

Antique/vintage items – When people have antiques for sale, they generally hit the Web before our stores, but sometimes we get lucky. Jon at our Oak Ridge store recently acquired and sold a Mikiphone pocket phonograph, calling it “one of the coolest things [he’s] seen in awhile.” These Swiss gramophones were manufactured from 1925-1927 and are considered the smallest “talking machines” ever developed, measuring the size of a pocket watch. But that store doesn’t have a monopoly on rare valuables. The store at 1823 79^th Street in Miami has received an antique, pre-1950 Coca-Cola “Tome Bien Fria” cooler and vintage Patek Phillipe watch from the 1960’s.

Art items – Most of us in the La Familia family aren’t exactly art connoisseurs, but we do sometimes get some interesting or somewhat valuable pieces in our shops. One of our Miami locations currently has a bunch of cool sculptures and pieces, and store manager Jose said that they once had a signed Romero Britto painting. He might not be Picasso, but Britto is a very popular and famous pop culture artist, and his paintings have gone for upwards of $100,000. The Miami Herald recently reported that he has sold a total of $50 million in merchandise. So, yeah – he’s kind of a big deal.

“Just plain cool” items – Some things we receive are so random that they don’t even fit in a category. Rafael at 7342 Curry Ford Road in Orlando said he recently received a motor that turns a bike into a scooter. As if that weren’t offbeat enough, he also has a cow hide for sale. (Maybe the Curry Ford store should win the award for “oddest merchandise?”) And Jose in Miami just acquired a $1000 bill, which we didn’t even realize existed.

While these items mark some of La Familia’s more “interesting” experiences lately, we want to know what you think. What’s the strangest item you’ve ever seen a pawn shop? And what’s the most unique thing you’ve ever brought in for a loan?

However, shopping for jewelry can be tricky and a little daunting. When faced with a case full of shiny baubles, it’s easy to purchase pieces that aren’t as high-quality as they appear or are grossly over-priced relative to their true value. Here are a few tips to help those of you planning to give your loved ones rings, necklaces and other items, and ensure that Valentine’s Day 2013 is a success.

- Understand the terminology and important facts. Before you walk into a store, it’s a good idea to understand how to shop for jewelry so you don’t get confused and led astray by technical terminology that salespeople use. For example, when shopping for diamonds, a good rule of thumb is to follow all of the “4Cs” – carat, clarity, color and cut – to determine the true quality of the stone. Websites for organizations like the Gemological Institute of America and the Jewelry Information Center provide information and tutorials that will empower you to make sound purchasing decisions and ensure that you leave the store with a high-quality piece.

- “New” doesn’t always mean “better.” People often hesitate at the notion of buying pre-owned jewelry. However, all jewelry can be refurbished and returned to new condition. Best of all, buying a pre-owned piece in a store can save a consumer between 50 and 100% off of the original or “new” price – without losing any of the value. For example, at La Familia Pawn & Jewelry stores, we carry several pre-owned rings, Rolexes and other high-end pieces in impeccable condition for a fraction of the prices that the same items cost brand new. And with precious metal prices skyrocketing, who couldn’t use a deal these days?

- Get written appraisals on all big-ticket items. Just like you wouldn’t buy a new home without an inspection, you shouldn’t buy a piece of fine jewelry without getting it appraised. A good rule of thumb is to visit an independent appraiser for any item that costs $1000 or more – you can find a list of certified gemologists and appraisers through the American Association of Appraisers’ website. Also, ensure that you complete the process within the time your seller allots for returns, just in case the item is not up to snuff. La Familia provides free appraisals on certain jewelry items, so ask if a piece you are interested in comes with this bonus.

With just a little preparation and a few precautions, you can ensure that you walk out of a jewelry retailer with a great item that your significant other will love. And be sure to talk up the leg work involved – it just may earn you some bonus points this Valentine’s Day.

Some of you might not have decided how to spend the extra dollars in your bank account, so we decided to help by providing a few ideas. And, don’t worry – not all of them involve shopping at La Familia (although some of them do, of course).

- Pay off debt – Whether you have an outstanding balance on your credit card bill, a hefty car payment, student loans or an item in pawn in one of our stores, paying off your debts is perhaps the best way you can spend your “found money.” You’ll barely miss the cash once you see the lower balance on incoming statements.

- Take care of maintenance projects – Keeping up on life is incredibly expensive. Between big home repair projects, car maintenance and other items that need tweaking and fixing, it’s tough to stay on top of everything. Prioritize your list of things that need to be repaired or upgraded, and invest your tax refund into checking things off. It’ll be a huge weight off of your shoulders to finally fix your roof or replace your car’s brakes.

- Make a donation – No matter how big or small, communities are always in need of donations – and there are tons of charities that need your help. Whether your passion lies in children’s organizations, non-profits that support the elderly or animal shelters, a quick Internet search can pinpoint some great charities that rely on donations to continue the invaluable, critical services they provide.

- Take a trip – Once the holidays are over and we slip back into “the grind,” it’s easy to become restless – and usually by spring, we’re itching to get away. Use your refund to visit family that live in a different area, take that vacation you’ve always dreamed of or go on a camping trip with your kids. The memories will make up for the expense.

- Shop – Well, this is the most “fun” answer, right?! Getting a huge check seems like the perfect opportunity to pick up that game system you’ve been eyeing for months or get a jump-start on shopping for your significant other’s birthday. And we have good news: At La Familia, we carry everything from jewelry to electronics to tools to lawn equipment at a much lower price than traditional retailers, so you can stretch your dollars even further. And did you see something you love but haven’t received your check yet to pay for it? No problem – we have an excellent layaway program that ensures you can reserve the item you want and pay for it when you have the funds.

What are some of your ideas on how to spend a tax refund this year? And what’s the best way you’ve ever used the extra cash?

December 13 – Mobile phones 20% off

December 14 – Playstations 35% off

December 15 – All bikes 35% off

December 16 – Watches 20% off

December 17 – All musical instruments 35% off

December 18 – All tools 35% off

December 19 – All cameras 20% off

December 20 – All computers 35% off

December 21 – All video games 35% off

December 22 – All Xbox 360s 35% off

December 23 – All TVs 35% off

December 24 – All gold sold at wholesale price!

Puerto Rico deals are a little different:

December 18 – All tools 20% off

December 19 -All cameras 30% off

December 20 – Desktop computers 35% off

December 21 – All video games, buy one, get one free

December 22 – Small appliances 20% off

December 23 – Car audio 25% off

December 24 – Gold (without diamonds) at wholesale price

Here’s some information you probably already know about the holidays: La Familia will have the best deals around for your shopping needs. (And those of you who joined us during our blockbuster Why Wait? Wednesday and Black Friday sales have the inside scoop that we’re already full of holiday cheer and spirit in our stores.) But there’s plenty about the holidays that you probably don’t know. We compiled a list of some fun facts about Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve. Bust a few of these out at holiday parties and you’ll seem like the sharpest person around, notwithstanding the ugly Christmas sweater you might be wearing.

- Jesus might be 2,000 years old – and the U.S. has been around for more than 200 – but our country didn’t begin recognizing Christmas as a national holiday until 1870. In fact, the Pilgrims outright banned the celebration of Christmas from 1659 until 1681, when the English government overturned the ban.

- We might break out our best dinnerware for Thanksgiving Day feasts with family and friends, but the Pilgrims ate with their hands at the very first Thanksgiving. Their meal consisted of lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese.

- Once trees are up and full of ornaments in our homes, we don’t give much thought to their origins. But these tall symbols of holiday cheer are the result of hard work from tree growers and, in Florida alone, farmers will harvest 120,000 freshly cut quality trees for the holiday season. (Another fun fact: President Franklin Pierce was the first U.S. president to decorate the White House Christmas tree.)

- Hanukkah is a celebration full of caloric, delicious goodies, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts). Many of the food prepared for the holiday is fried to symbolize the sacred oil that kept the Macabees’ eternal flame burning for eight days.

- Santa Claus wasn’t always a jolly, white-bearded guy who flew in a reindeer-led sleigh. The modern-day gift-giver is based on a bishop in the Catholic Church, Saint Nicholas, who was known for bringing gifts and money to the poor in the fourth century.

- You’ll never look at a candy cane the same way after learning that they were actually developed by a candy maker in the late-1800s to serve as a religious symbol. He intended for the white base to represent Christ’s purity and the red stripes to symbolize the pain inflicted in him on the cross.

- We might not know a world without counting down to the yearly New Year’s Eve ball drop in New York, but the tradition did not begin until 1907 with a 700-pound ball comprised of iron and wood. Today’s ball is 11,875 pounds, covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles and is adorned with more than 30,000 LED lights.

- Kwanzaa might fall around the same time as Christmas and Hanukkah, but it’s actually not a religious holiday – it’s a seven-day celebration of African culture that was started by a professor at California State University in the 1960’s. The name “Kwanzaa” was chosen because it means “first fruits of the harvest.”

- President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a holiday in 1863, to be held on the fourth Thursday of each November. In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt moved the date up to the third week in November in an effort to extend the shopping season and spur economic growth.

Well, we’re here to help. We put together a list of some of the coolest offerings we have available to customers – and how you can be sure to take advantage to save money and headaches.

Special coupons. Did you know that by simply signing up through our website, you can get text messages and emails with coupons that customers who don’t opt into the program do not receive? That’s right – just by visiting our home page and entering in a bit of information, you can get coupons announcing specific deals. And you’ll also get a special birthday month email with a coupon for 20% off in any of our stores.

Holiday promotions. We love the holidays – which is why we extend a series of holiday promotions to our customers. From Christmas in July – which enables you to plan ahead economically for holiday purchases – to Why Wait? Wednesday to the 25 Days of Christmas, we always try to “sweeten” our deals to help with customers’ holiday shopping needs. To stay on top of these, get engaged with our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Jewelry rewards. This program provides customers with the protection they need on jewelry purchased through our stores. People who sign up for Jewelry Rewards get a 100% trade-in value on the item, loan guarantee, reduced repair rates, free stone replacements and more. There are several different membership levels of the program to fit your individual needs and it’s a great deal that can keep your jewelry fresh and protected for years.

Free layaway. For just 10% down, you can put any item in our stores on layaway for up to 90 days – and for 20% down, you can put any piece of jewelry on layaway for up to 120 days. Just make sure to make timely payments each month and the item is yours! The program is a great way to make sure you can get an item you really want but might not be able to immediately afford – and avoid enduring the disappointment of finding out it’s been sold once you finally have the money to make the purchase.

Special events and giveaways. If you follow our social media, you know that we’re always advertising in-store events and holding contests with great giveaway prizes, like gift cards, jewelry, and in-store discounts. To stay up-to-date on some of the ways you can save – and win free items – participate in our Facebook contests and attend some of the cool events we host at our stores, like car shows and family days.

Deals of the week. In addition to “special deals,” our stores have weekly deals that can range from 20% off all electronics to a drastically discounted price on a specific piece of jewelry. The “Deals of the Week” are posted to our social media channels and website each week, so check in to see if that specific item you’ve been searching for is on sale.

So, now that you’re better educated about some of our programs and promotions, we want to know: What type of deals would you like to see in our stores?

And not only are we looking out for you, but we want to “school” you in how to look out for yourselves. Whether you’re a first-timer or have a long-standing relationship with one of our SLAs, there are a few tips we’d like to pass along  that can ensure that you always get the most “bang for your buck” not only at our stores, but at any pawn broker who you might visit in the future.

Do your research. Whether you’re bringing in an item to pawn or are simply shopping for a particular product, do some preliminary market research online to determine the fair market price. Look at details like make, model year/number, amount of memory (for electronics) and other miscellaneous factors. For instance, a 64 GB iPhone is worth more than a 32 GB of the same generation and in the  same condition. Walking into the store with this knowledge helps you to be more realistic as far as what you can expect for a loan or cost, and also gives you a bit of leverage when speaking with a Sales and Lending associate.

It’s ok to “haggle.” Most customers seeking loans have a set dollar number in mind. Although it’s important for you to be realistic – a pawn shop can only lend an amount that helps the store break even if the item ends up on the merchandise floor – don’t be afraid to get into a discussion with employees to see if there’s any way the loan can be increased. Sometimes, through these discussions, you’ll realize that you might have a smaller item you can also pawn to make up the difference.

Get to know your SLAs. The pawn industry is a relationship business. We love to interact with our customers both inside and outside of our stores – which is why we’re always hosting fun events like car shows and family days. Getting to know our SLAs individually builds rapport and trust on both sides, and is also helpful when you’re in a real bind and need cash fast.

Build credit. We understand that some loans just can’t be paid back and customers sometimes have to forfeit pawned items. And that’s ok! But if you’re a customer with a great, consistent track record of paying off loans, it helps give us the confidence we need to sometimes give a little more cash for an item than we normally would.

What do you think are some of the best strategies and tips for getting the best deals at pawn shops? We’d love to hear what some of our customers and employees think!

Although we’re always celebrating at La Familia, this month calls for a little extra. We’re extending a 25% off coupon to all of our customers, valid through October 15. You can access it through our Facebook page or ask your favorite SLA next time you visit one of our stores.

So, other than some awesome savings, what else should you know about National Hispanic-American Heritage Month? Below are some fun facts about this month and various contributions that Latinos have made to our country throughout time.

- September 15 was selected as the start of National Hispanic-American Heritage month because it marks anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El  Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile aren’t far behind – Mexico’s independence day is September 16, while Chile celebrates on September 18.

- Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles settled the oldest city in the United States in 1565 – St. Augustine.

- Desi Arnaz of I Love Lucy was the first Hispanic-American to appear on network television.

- Spanish was the first European language spoken on North American soil. Today, the U.S. ranks as the fifth-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.

- There are approximately 52 million Latinos in the U.S., which constitutes 16.7% of the entire country’s population. Hispanics comprise the largest minority group in our country.

- Roberto Clemente – who was known for his charity work throughout Latin America and died tragically in a plane crash while on his way to help with relief efforts after a Nicaraguan earthquake in 1972 – was the first Hispanic baseball player inducted into the Hall of Fame.

- The first-known Latino person to run for president was Ben Fernandez, who announced his candidacy in 1978, but eventually lost the Republican party’s nomination for the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan.

- Severo Ochoa was the first Hispanic-American scientist to win a Nobel Prize. He won in 1953 for his work on the synthesis of RNA (one of the nucleic acids essential for all known forms of life).