Mother's Day ideas: gifts, surprises, parties, and more.

• Gift certificates she can “cash in” for you to do her chores or errands.

Your mom might or might not be the person who cooks or cleans at home, but she does have chores of some kind. Maybe she’s the one always driving to the bank. Maybe she walks the dog. Make certificates she can “cash in” for you to do these things for her.

• A photo puzzle.

There are many places online to turn a photo into a custom puzzle. Give this gift with the commitment to put the puzzle together with her.

• A donation in Mom’s name representing something she’s passionate about, or something important to her.

• A gift box with a little of this, a little of that.

You can buy a pre-arranged gift box of goodies or put your own together.

• A new game that’s up her alley.

This is another gift you can give with the commitment to spend time playing with her.

• A photo she’s forgotten about, printed and framed.

• Something she really loves to eat.

Bring a snack or meal Mom loves (and be sure there’s enough to share).

• Flowers.

This is the go-to gift for Mother’s Day. Make your flowers more memorable by learning her favorite, or by giving her potted flowers instead.

• Organize a “Mom show-and-tell.”

All attendees bring something that reminds them of Mom, then they each take the stage to “show and tell.”

• Cook a family favorite recipe together.

• Arm a photo wreath.

Everyone brings a photo of Mom to pin to a photo wreath. For smaller parties, everyone can bring two or three photos instead.

• Have an at-home movie party (and rent a projector if you can).

• Have an at-home spa day.

• Get tons of photo albums out.

Spend time looking through albums together and comparing notes about what you remember.

• Hire an instructor for a group class.

Instructors from painting classes to cocktail workshops are sometimes available for in-home classes, too.

• Rent a space at a restaurant.

Don’t just go out to eat. Have a party in a restaurant’s private, reserved space.

• Whatever event you organize, be sure to have a photobooth.

One of the most universal pleasures of a mother is to get photos with her kids. Set up a photobooth with all the props you can find.

• Throw a multi-generational tea party.

It’s a good thing Grandma has an extra tea hat.

• Have a Mother’s Day wine tasting.

“Mom, you’re grape.”

• Organize your own farmer’s market in the parking lot for moms and their families to shop and mingle.

• Host a multi-course, fit-for-a-Queen dinner.

• Create a playlist of songs about moms.

• Host a karaoke party.

• Rent a projector for a group viewing of mother-centric movies.

• Open your letter with a great metaphor.

Describe your mom with a metaphor. “Mom, you’re the conductor of this family symphony.” Or, for some humor, try: “you’re the all-knowing search engine that, when I talk nonsense, replies helpfully with, ‘did you mean...’”

• Write out a happy memory.

• Create a Mad-Libs-style Mother’s Day letter.

Create a Mad-Libs game where your mom picks adjectives, nouns, and adverbs that she feels describe people in the family. Then have her insert them into a Mad-Libs style story of your design.

• Write your letter in an email, then schedule it to automatically send on Mother’s Day at midnight.

You can schedule multiple messages to trickle into her inbox the whole day, too.

• Start a letter, then send it to a family member to continue. That family member then sends it to another, etc.

When the letter finally finds Mom, it will have a collective stream of messages from the whole family.

• List out reasons why you’re grateful to Mom.

• Write a poem, or transcribe song lyrics that make you think of Mom.

• Write a stream of consciousness letter that starts with something that makes you think of Mom.

Stream of consciousness writing starts with a prompt, then you write out the first thing that comes to mind and keep writing without pausing or editing.

• A white noise machine.

If Mom hasn’t been sleeping much, help her get rest with a white noise machine, a sleeping mask, or something similar.

• The best pajamas ever.

• Conduct a motherhood interview and record it, then save the file as a time capsule to review in a few years.

Don’t forget to set a reminder to dig the file out at the chosen date.

• A heating pad or self-massager.

Whether you go for a massage gun or a pad that kneads her shoulders, most first-time moms will need this kind of pampering.

• Give her an at-home manicure.

The real gift here isn’t the manicure, it’s taking the time to give her one from the comfort of home.

• A matching sweater set for Mom and baby.

• An illustrated family portrait by a local artist.

• A certificate that Mom can cash in anytime she wants take-out instead of cooking dinner.

Whether it’s Mom who cooks at home or Dad, give her a certificate that empowers Mom to decide when take-out sounds better.

• Breakfast in bed.

This one is a classic. If Mom gets up before you do, half the surprise will be her seeing you up that early.

• A gift engraved with something she says — a lot.

Part of what will surprise Mom most is how closely you listen to her, even when it doesn’t seem like you do.

• Tell her you’re taking photos on Mother’s Day, but record videos instead, then send her a video collage of the day.

• Tackle her to-do list.

• Find a keepsake you have from childhood, then frame it or repurpose it as a gift for her.

• A “reasons jar” that keeps on giving.

Write out reasons you love Mom. Aim for at least 30 so she can read one every day.

• Take her advice on something you’re willing to at least try.

If she’s been telling you to do something and you’re willing to try it her way, give her the satisfaction — and tell her about it.

• Help someone from out of town come to visit.

Maybe it’s a sibling or it’s Mom’s best friend. Can you pitch in for airfare and a surprise reunion?

• Find a fill-in-the-blank book.

Search online for “fill-in-the-blank books” and you’ll find designs that ask questions you fill in the answers to. These are sort of like written interviews, and they’re instant keepsakes.

• Identify one of Mom’s bucket list items, then check it off the list with her.

Does Mom want to run a marathon? Does she want to write a book? Help her make it happen.

• Sit down with a stack of conversation starter cards.

• Have a “Mom and me” getaway.

This can be an in-town or out-of-town getaway you plan together. Don’t forget to craft a cute certificate she can “cash in” to make this dream come true.

• Rent a fancy car she would love to drive, then spend the day going “wherever.”

• Get tickets to a movie at the best theater, get the best treats, and take a day off to make a real event of going to the cinema together.

• Make a playlist together of music you both love, or music you find iconic of your relationship.

• Play “that reminds me” together.

This game starts with you sharing a memory. Mom has to reply with what memory that reminds her of. Then you reply with another memory that hers reminds you of, etc.

• The gift of time and conversation: set up a video call date.

• Send a certificate she can cash in to go to the restaurant, spa, or show you would have taken her to had you been there.

Don’t forget to include a card that tells her that you’ll be accompanying her in spirit.

• Send a card or letter by snail mail.

You’ll get extra brownie points if the card is handmade.

• Mail her a care package.

Pick all her favorites and some of those things she can’t get herself to buy. Pack the care package yourself, then send it by way of mail.

• A travel accessories collection (for the next time she visits).

• Airfare, a train ticket, or a rental car to go see you.

This gift is as much for you as it is for her, but if Mom’s next visit hinges on saving up for it, help her get to you sooner.

• Mail a jar of phrases, quotes, and memories to make her smile.

Every time she misses you, she can take one out and read it.

• Half-and-half jewelry sets.

You and Mom can each wear a paired necklace or bracelet to symbolize that you’re always together in spirit.

• In Poland, Mother’s Day (May 26^th) sparks grand celebrations of card-making and gift-giving. Kids make and decorate handmade cards with paper flowers.
• In Mexico, El Día de las Madres (May 10^th) is a big deal. People hire bands to serenade their mothers, and everyone goes out to eat. The evenings bring families together for huge dinners, and the day ends up being one of the busiest all year for restaurants.
• In Ethiopia, it’s not “Mother’s Day” — it’s a three-day mothers celebration. Taking place at the end of autumn, the changing weather is hallmarked with festivities including big meals, song, and dance.
• In Japan, Mother’s Day was only recently moved to the second Sunday of May. Before that, it was celebrated on March 6^th, the birthday of Empress Kōjun. Red carnations are the most popular flower to give mothers for the occasion.