20 Mother’s Day Ideas to Show Mom You Care
Mom may have given you your name, but did you know that babies across the world name their mothers, too?
Whether she’s your mama, mum, or mommy, most names for mother sound similar no matter which language you’re speaking. This isn’t by chance! One of the easiest sounds to make when we’re born is “ma,” which means the first thing we all want to do is say hello to our moms.
The physical, mental, and emotional connection we share with our mothers before we’re even born is one of the most beautiful bonds we could ever form in life. If you want to remind your mom how much you love and appreciate her, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity.
Want to know some creative ways to make your mom feel special? Keep reading to learn about 20 unique Mother’s Day ideas for activities and gifts that she’s sure to love.
Mother’s Day Ideas for Activities
Moms appreciate anything you give them, but if you have the ability to spend time with yours, then you’ll be her best gift. Do you live nearby or plan on visiting your mom for Mother’s Day? If so, treat her to loads of fun with any one of these 10 activities.
1. Treat Her to Breakfast in Bed or Brunch
Lots of kids try to make their moms a nice breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day. If you didn’t get help from an older sibling or parent, you probably wound up serving her burned toast, soggy cereal, or raw pancakes. Even if the food wasn’t good, breakfast in bed was an event she looked forward to each year because the gesture was sweet.
If your cooking skills have improved, you could treat her to a gourmet breakfast in bed. However, if you want to relax and enjoy your time with your mom, a more practical activity would be taking her out for brunch. After you’ve filled your bellies, you can keep the fun going by taking her for a walk in a nearby park or go window shopping.
2. Do Some Scrapbooking
Did your mom always have the camera out when you were a kid? Take your mom on a walk down memory lane by revisiting all of your childhood photos and try scrapbooking together. If she enjoys shopping, you can even take her out to an arts and crafts store to stock up on supplies you like best.
Not only is this a wonderful way to remember all of the special moments you’ve had with your mom, but you can give the finished product to her as a gift. Don’t forget to write sweet captions under each photo to express how much your mom means to you or add some mother’s day quotes to the pages.
3. Pack a Picnic and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Was your mom a fan of planning family picnics when you were growing up? Is she the type of person who enjoys going outside for some fresh air and exercise? If so, you can make her special day more memorable by planning a delicious picnic in a scenic spot outdoors.
If your mom likes being active, then you should scout around for some local hiking, biking, or walking trails that are suitable for her fitness levels. If you think she’d rather relax and soak up some sunshine, a local park or meadow works great, too. Once you find the perfect spot, your picnic will feel magical.
The good news is you don’t have to worry about preparing an extravagant meal. If you’re not much of a cook, head over to the grocery store and stop by the deli to pick up some sandwiches. Don’t forget to grab some drinks and snacks while you’re there.
4. Explore Your City Like Tourists
Some people can live in the same city for years without ever getting to know their surroundings. When you fall into a comfortable routine, you can forget that your city has lots of fun things to do. One silly activity to do with your mom is to pretend you’re tourists and explore your city like you’ve never been there before.
Be sure to check out travel guides like TripAdvisor or Yelp to learn about the top attractions that draw in other visitors. Map out an itinerary that’ll keep you busy all day. Don’t forget to try a new restaurant during lunchtime, too!
5. Buy Tickets to Her Favorite Event
Moms do everything they can for their children, so that usually means they don’t have a lot of time to go out and have fun. Thank your mom for all that she gave you by giving her tickets to her favorite event. This could be a concert, a sporting event, or any other form of entertainment.
Be sure to make a whole day of it! You can grab drinks or have a sit-down meal before or after the event. Since it’s her special day, make sure she feels spoiled. The event is sure to be a treat, but spending quality time with you is the best gift of all.
6. Plan a Wellness Day
Did you know that by the time you turned one, your mom gave up 44 days of sleep to take care of you? Although the first year can be the most challenging, motherhood at any age requires lots of self-sacrifices. To give thanks, you can spend Mother’s Day taking care of your mom with some wellness activities.
In the morning, you could go to a fitness class together like yoga or kickboxing. After you build up an appetite, refuel with some nutritious smoothies and other healthy eats.
Then, you can spend the rest of the day doing anything else that will help recharge your mom. This could mean getting a pedicure, relaxing at the beach, or getting a massage. Ask your mom what will make her feel her best and do it.
7. Host a Cozy Movie Night at Home
Who doesn’t love to curl up on the couch with some good snacks and watch their favorite show or movie? If your mom is laid-back, a movie night could be the perfect Mother’s Day treat. You’ll need to have a nice selection of films she enjoys, good snacks, and cozy blankets for the perfect evening.
Popcorn is an obvious must-have movie snack. Other fun ideas could include setting up all of the fixings to build ice cream sundaes or buying a bunch of classic movie theater candies so you can have an at-home concession stand. Don’t forget to stock up on soda, wine, or any other beverage she drinks while she enjoys herself.
8. Go Shopping at the Farmers’ Market (Then Cook Together!)
Does your mom enjoy the simple things in life? Spend some quality time with her on Mother’s Day by taking her to the farmers’ market. With so many fresh ingredients and other unique products there, you’ll have a blast exploring everything together.
After you’re done, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Head back to the kitchen and try to create a new recipe that combines all of the ingredients you bought. Whether the food turns out good or bad, you’ll share lots of laughs while you get creative and work as a team.
9. Go Bar-Hopping, Bakery-Hopping, or Any Other Fun Hopping
If your mom is free-spirited, then she’ll love going out on the town and sampling the best food or drinks around. You can keep things classic by going bar-hopping or you can use that method and apply it to any other type of attraction. The goal is to spend the day visiting different places that offer some of her favorite things.
Does she have a sweet tooth? Take her on an adventure by stopping at every bakery in town and picking out the most exciting treat there. Once you’ve collected all of your goodies, you can sit down somewhere scenic and enjoy your treasures.
If she’s a coffee lover, you could also hop around local cafés to sample unique creations at each
location. Just be sure to throw some decaf into the mix so you don’t get too jumpy!
10. Try Something New
Is your mom the adventurous type? If so, she’ll have a blast trying a new activity with you.
Whether it’s taking a painting class, going kayaking, or skydiving, you only have one rule to follow. The activity that you choose has to be something both of you have never done before.
If you need some help deciding what to do, Groupon is the perfect site to find local activities at a discounted price. You can scroll through the offers together and pick something that sounds exciting to both of you.
Mother’s Day Ideas for Gifts
Since your mom gave you the gift of life, it can be intimidating trying to choose the right gift for her. Remember that you know her best, so just focus on her personality and pick what you think she’ll enjoy most. Here are 10 clever ideas to get you started.
1. A Meaningful Card and Gift Certificate
Most cards and gift certificates are used as a last resort for people who don’t know the recipient well. However, if you put more thought into it, this can be the perfect gift for your mom. Here’s how to master the artform.
Instead of grabbing the first generic card in the Mother’s Day section of the store, you should make your own. When you create a custom Mother’s Day card, you can add your own pictures, messages, and other unique designs. Nothing says “I love you” more than a heartfelt message and a personal photo.
Instead of buying a basic Visa gift card, try to think of something more specific to show your mom that you know her. If she has a stressful job, a massage gift certificate could be just what she needs. If she has a favorite store, get a gift card there and take her out for a shopping spree later.
2. A Fun Subscription Service
If your mom likes to try new things, a subscription service could be the gift that keeps on giving. With so many options to choose from, you’re bound to find a service she loves. Whether it’s wine, snacks from around the world, meal-prepping, clothing, or more, she’ll be excited to open a new package each month.
Does this sound like something she would enjoy? Check out these different kinds of subscription boxes to find the perfect match.
3. A Customized Cookbook
Whether your mom is a well-seasoned chef or wants to experiment in the kitchen more, a customized cookbook is the perfect gift for any foodie. What’s great about this gift is that you can either fill it with family recipes or a collection of new recipes you think she’d like trying.
Creating an online cookbook is easy! All you have to do is choose your format, upload photos, and enter the text. For a more personal touch, you could write brief stories about a memory involving this food or why you think she’d enjoy it.
4. A Spa Kit
Moms are basically superheroes. Since your mom has given you so much throughout your life, why not pamper her with an at-home spa kit? With tons of beauty products to choose from, you can create the ultimate relaxation gift basket.
Here are some ideas for what you could put in your homemade spa kit:
- Face masks
- Bath bombs
- Nail polish
- An aromatherapy set
- Skin scrubs
- Lotions
- A foot bath
- A self-massage tool
- Epsom salt
5. A Luxurious Pajama Set
Nothing feels better than slipping into a luxurious set of pajamas after a long day of work. Update your mom’s loungewear with a fashionable yet cozy set of PJs. For the ultimate gift, don’t forget to throw in a plush robe and slippers that will make her feel like she’s walking on clouds.
In order to keep her cool while she sleeps, make sure to check the tags to learn about the materials. The best fabrics that allow skin to breathe are cotton and silk.
6. Unique Jewelry
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but mothers deserve something more original. Thanks to websites like Etsy, you can browse hundreds of independent jewelers who sell handmade goods. Since each piece is unique, you can communicate with the seller to build your mom the perfect gift.
Do you both share a love for jewelry? If so, you can make your gift even more sentimental by getting a matching set for yourself. This gift is a great way to always feel connected to your mom no matter where you go.
7. A Poetry Book and Flowers
If your mom has a soft spirit, then some beautiful flowers and poetry will fill her heart with lots of warmth. Poetry books make great gifts because you can pick them up whenever you need a boost. Since moms are busy, they’ll be able to savor each poem when they get the chance to read.
Some inspiring poets who are worth checking out include Mary Oliver, Richard Blanco, Emily Dickinson, Mark Doty, and Sharon Olds. Sometimes words can be the best gift of all. In the simple but striking words of the 13th-century poet Rumi: “In your light, I learn how to love.”
8. Personalized Home Décor
Is your mom a homebody? One thoughtful way to add more cheer to her living space is to get her some personalized home décor. Although your thoughts may go straight to indoor decorations, don’t forget there are plenty of outdoor ones that can make her home look more inviting.
If you know your mom’s style well, you could try to find some décor that matches her current interior layout. For a safer option, you can’t go wrong with sticking to the outdoors. Welcome mats, garden signs, and wreaths are just a few of the many options available.
To make the gift more personal, you can order custom designs that have her name, your family name, or another significant message printed or engraved on it. Like jewelry, a variety of excellent home décor can be found and personalized at Etsy.
9. A New Luggage Set or Other Travel Gear
Lots of women are always on the go. Whether your mom travels often for business or pleasure, everyone can get good use out of an updated luggage set. The reason why this is a perfect gift is because it’s a luxury item that many people wouldn’t normally spend money on for themselves, but they would still enjoy having it.
If a high-quality luggage set is out of your price range, you can shop for other convenient travel gear that makes each trip more relaxing. Need some inspiration? This guide has 57 brilliant travel accessories your mom would love.
10. A Special Mug with Coffee or Tea Samplers
Did you ever mold or paint a ceramic mug for your parents when you were a kid? Now that you’re an adult, you can get your mom a high-quality mug without sacrificing your personal touch.
If you have the time or artistic skills, you can embrace your childhood nostalgia by heading down to a pottery studio and painting another mug for her. A more convenient gift option could be ordering a customized mug online. This method allows you to upload personal photos, messages, and you can choose from several different designs and mug types.
To add a little more flair to your gift, you should spoil your mom with some gourmet coffee or tea samplers. Since you know your mom best, you can choose which flavors you think she’d savor most. If she has a sweet tooth, you can even look for different types of hot chocolate that she can try.
Moms Are Special
With these 20 Mother’s Day ideas, you’ll be able to express all of your love and gratitude for your mom. No matter what you choose to give or do, she’ll love it because it came from your heart. Moms are awesome like that.
