Mother and Fathers day gifts

I always wonder why shops (at least here in France) adverstise only useless junk such as cooking and cleaning devices for women, add some jewellery and flowers, for mothers day?
And high-tech gimmicks and alcohol for fathers day?

Is that really market research and based on actual demand (or are these offers creating and directing demand towards such products..?), or just some stupid old-fashioned stereotypes?

In todays consumer societey, what's considered acceptable gifts anyway?
Culture means CDs, DVDs and books, nothing else?
Next fathers day, offer me a new domain with great hosting :)