How to Celebrate Mother's Day

Co-authored by Rachel Weinshanker and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: March 18, 2023 References

Your mom is one amazing, strong, and beautiful woman, and when Mother’s Day gets near, you may find yourself asking, “What can I do to show her just how much I love her?” We know the struggle, and we’re here to help! This year, Mother’s Day lands on Sunday, May 14th in the US and Canada, and there are plenty of ways you can celebrate. From homemade gifts to special outings, we’ve got all the ideas you could possibly need to honor your mother on this very special day. Read on to learn what you can do this year to celebrate Mother’s Day.

1

Give her flowers.

A beautiful bouquet can make your mom’s day. Not only are flowers beautiful, just like your mom, but they’re a gift that can bring her joy for many, many days. Pick up a bright bouquet to place on the dining table Mother’s Day morning, or order flowers to be delivered to your mom’s doorstep.
- Order flowers online for delivery from 1800Flowers, Proflowers, or FTD.
- Pair your flowers with a thoughtful card or note to really make your mom smile.
- Toss in a box of chocolates for some extra love.
- Take the gift of flowers to the next level and gift your mom a plant she can replant in her garden. When it outgrows its pot, she can place it in the yard—your gift will keep on giving!

2

Make her a card.

A handwritten note will warm your mom’s heart. There’s something so special about receiving a card full of sentiment and doodles. Pour your heart and soul into making a card, writing out just how much your mom means to you. When she wakes up on Mother’s Day morning, you can bring it to her with an extra big hug.^{[1]
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- If you’re not super crafty, that’s okay! There are plenty of pre-made Mother’s Day cards you can buy.
- If you don’t live with your mom, mail her a card. She’ll be so happy to see you’ve put effort into thinking about her.

3

Bring her breakfast in bed.

What better way to celebrate mom than with a relaxing morning? Help her stay cozy in bed by bringing breakfast to her. Decorate a breakfast tray with her favorite fruits, drinks, and breakfast foods.^{[2]
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- Wake up a little early to prepare.
- Make pancakes, waffles, omelets, muffins, or whatever else your mom loves.
- Just make sure to clean the kitchen up afterward. That way, mom won’t have anything to worry about.

4

Make her a playlist.

Some music can help your mom feel loved. Have you ever put on a song and been brought back to a memory from years ago? Making a playlist with your mom’s favorite songs is a great sentimental gift. Fill the playlist with songs she used to sing to you when you were little, songs she rocked out to in the car, and songs that played at special moments in her life.
- Bring your mom back to simpler times by burning the songs onto a CD.
- Keep things current by sending her a link to a Spotify playlist that she can play whenever and wherever she’d like.

5

Watch a movie or show with her.

Spend some quality time with your mom watching TV. Sometimes moms just need a break, and what better way to wind down than with some boob tube? This is a simple and fun way to celebrate a relaxing and maybe even a rainy Mother's Day. Let your mom pick out what you’ll be watching—it’s her special day after all!^{[3]
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- Going to the movie theater to see the latest hit film is also a great way to celebrate, especially if your mom’s a movie buff.
- If you don’t live near your mom, you can always have a virtual TV day. Netflix and Disney+ offer extensions where you can stream content at the same time from different places.^{[4]
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6

Make her a coupon book.

A homemade coupon can show your mom how much you appreciate her. Coupon books are an awesome gift idea for kids or when you’re running low on cash. Not only is it a great craft, but it also shows your mom that you’re ready to put effort in at the drop of a hat. All you have to do is make the coupons, wrap them up with a bow, and wait for her to cash her present.^{[5]
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- This coupon is good for: Breakfast in bed.
- This coupon is good for: Unloading the dishwasher.
- This coupon is good for: Vacuuming the stairs.
- This coupon is good for: 2 hours of quiet time.
- This coupon is good for: Control of the TV.

7

Craft a homemade gift.

Journals, scrapbooks, and poems are great gifts for Mother’s Day. Your mom does so much for you every day, so the least you can do is take the time to make her something special. Homemade gifts are sentimental, personal, and beyond adorable. Use your skills to craft her a gift that came straight from the heart. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Write a personal journal just for her.
- Put together a scrapbook with your fondest memories.
- Create a short story where she’s the main character.
- Paint a picture that matches her decor.

8

Surprise her with a thoughtful gift.

A considerate present can mean the world to your mom. Moms are constantly thinking about their kids and what they want and need. You can return the favor this Mother’s Day by gifting her something she wants or needs. Maybe that’s a new book she’s been raving about or a kitchen gadget that’ll help her peel potatoes. Think about what would make her happy.
- Browse Amazon’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide if you’re stumped.

9

Cook her favorite meal.

Give your mom a break by doing some cooking. This is a simple way to show your mom how much you appreciate her. After all, she’s been cooking for you for years! Do your best to recreate your mom’s favorite meal, and serve it in a special way.^{[6]
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- Try decorating the dining table as if you were at a fancy restaurant to really impress.
- Serve the meal to her in bed or on the couch if she wants a super relaxing day. You can even add a small vase and flower to the food tray.
- If you don’t know your mom’s favorite meal, that’s okay! Call up a grandparent, uncle, aunt, or your other parent to see what your mom craves.

10

Bake her favorite dessert.

Sweeten your mom’s day with a homemade treat. Who doesn’t like something decadent on a special occasion? You can spoil your mom by baking her very own cookies, cake, brownies, pie, or even cheesecake. Be transparent and ask your mom if there’s anything she’d like you to make, or keep it a surprise and hide her all-time favorite treat until you bring it out on Mother’s Day.^{[7]
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- Have fun with the decorations. You can write “Happy Mother’s Day” on your dessert with icing or add some sprinkles in her favorite color.
- Not a baker? Buying her favorite dessert is just as special.

11

Offer to help her with chores.

Tick off the tasks on her to-do list to make room for celebration. Sometimes all a mom really needs is help. Ask her what needs to be done around the house and what errands should be run. Then, tell her to put her feet up because you’ve got this.^{[8]
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- Try to refrain from asking your mom too many questions about the tasks. The goal is to help her relax, not overwhelm her.
- Stick to doing chores you know how to do to keep her at ease.
- This is also a fun way to help little kids learn to give back to their mom. It’ll give them a chance to see what “mommy” does each and every day.

12

Help her in the garden.

Being outside together is a great way to spend Mother’s Day. If your mom’s into gardening and the great outdoors, take the day to help her tend to weeds or plant something new. She’ll cherish the quality time and the extra help.^{[9]
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- Go the extra mile and buy your mom something fun to add to her garden, like a gnome or flag.

13

Give her the day off.

The gift of rest may be exactly what your mom wants this Mother’s Day. Moms are the hardest workers—they never get a break! You can show her you care by giving her one day to do absolutely nothing. Instead of going to her when you need something, find other options. Rather than asking her what’s for dinner, fend for yourself.
- This is a great time to ask your mom what she wants. After all, this is her day.
- Use this time to show your mom just how independent you are—she’s taught you well!

14

Gift her a spa day.

Pampering your mom is a great way to say, “I care about you.” She does everything for you, so show her some extra love this Mother’s Day by treating her to a spa day. This is totally something you can do at home with bubble bath, facemasks, and nail polish, or you can book her an appointment at a local spa.^{[10]
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- If you want to buy your mom a massage or manicure but don’t know when she’s free, give her a spa gift card. This way, she’ll be able to visit the masseuse or nail technician when she has downtime.

15

Surprise her with a night out.

Take your mom somewhere special for Mother’s Day. Let her take down her hair, dress up, and have fun! This is the perfect celebration idea if your mom just needs to let loose. Treat her to a night on the town, a fancy dinner, or a trip to the theater.^{[11]
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- Ask your mom where she'd like to go, and take her there, no questions asked.
- Treat her to a concert or performance by her favorite musicians.

16

Send her a gift basket.

A box of your mom’s favorite things can truly make her day. Gift baskets are a great alternative to flowers and can be filled with just about anything. Opt for a basket full of chocolate if your mom’s a chocolate lover or one filled to the brim with spa essentials if your mom enjoys weekend baths.^{[12]
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- These baskets can be delivered through services like 1800Baskets and GourmetGiftBaskets.
- Make a gift basket for a more personal touch.

17

Buy her a subscription box.

Celebrate your mom every month with a surprise package. There are hundreds of subscription boxes to choose from, making it easy to find one for any hobby or interest. All you have to do is pick the perfect one and place the order. When Mother’s Day comes, give your mom a card saying her package will be delivered soon. She’ll be so surprised when all the goodies arrive at her door!^{[13]
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- Most subscription services offer 1-month, 3-month, and even 12-month package options.
- Some of our favorite boxes include Book of the Month Club, Wine Wine Club, and Birchbox.

18

Attend a class together.

Learn something new with your mom on this celebratory day. Your mom has taught you so much, so perhaps it’s time you helped her learn something. Taking a cooking, crafting, or even educational class together can help you bond. Plus, there’s sure to be lots of laughter.^{[14]
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- Turn the class into a whole day’s event. Take your mom out to eat, bring her to a favorite store, and just have fun together.

19

Put on a talent show.

Get mom laughing with a personalized performance. This is a fun, cheap, and easy way to show off all the talent your mom’s passed down to you. Plus, it’s sure to get her laughing! Gather all your friends and family members to put on the best show she’s ever seen. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Reenact scenes from her favorite movies.
- Sing an original song you wrote about her.
- Do a group dance to her favorite song.
- Perform stand-up comedy that’s all about her.
- Read a poem you’ve dedicated to her.

20

Organize a family party or gathering.

Sometimes, the best celebration is quality family time. If you have a large family and most of you have flown from the nest, bring everyone together to surprise your mom. Everyone can show up one by one, and your mom’s heart will be so full she’ll practically burst!
- Have everyone wait for her at a restaurant or have them ring the doorbell on Mother’s Day morning.
- You can even plan a surprise party! Just make sure that the other guests arrive before your mom does.

21

Take her on vacation.

A surprise trip is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Plan a vacation around your mom’s favorite things, or book a trip to a place she’s always wanted to visit. This is fun for your mom and the whole family. The only rule: her say goes!^{[15]
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- Talk to your mom and family before booking anything if you want to travel far away. This way, you can make sure everyone’s happy with the decision and your schedule’s align.
- Stay-cations are also an idea. These can easily be disguised as no big planning has to go into a nearby weekend stay. All you have to do is sneakily find out when your mom’s free.^{[16]
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Sample Coupons

Sample Mother's Day Coupons from Older Kids

Sample Mother's Day Coupons from Younger Kids

Community Q&A

Question

What are some good quotes to put on a card?

Community Answer

"Wishing you all the love and happiness you so richly deserve... Happy Mother’s Day!" or "Because of you, I am me. Happy Mothers Day!" or "Thanks for giving me the best things in life: your love, your care, and your cooking. Happy Mother’s Day!".
Question

What can I do if I am small and have no money?

Kate Cronin

Community Answer

You can use pencil and paper to make a card. Put in effort and try as hard as you can to be kind and helpful through out the day. You can make her breakfast or help her make dinner.
Question

What can I give her if we are poor?

Imjoyas

Community Answer

The best gift isn't a an expensive gift. The best gift is the one that comes from the heart. Just give your mom a hug, say "Happy Mother's Day," and tell her you love her. She will be happy with this.