Mother’s Day is a special occasion, and I’m going to share everything you need to know about this popular holiday.
This is a day dedicated to showing appreciation for mothers and mother figures. It’s a time to express gratitude for all the love, care, and sacrifices moms have made.
In many cultures, people celebrate by giving gifts, sending cards, or spending quality time with their mothers.
So, in this guide, I will share what it’s like to celebrate around the world, how Americans do it, and so much more.
Come along!
Mother’s Day Around the World
Mother’s Day may have similar sentiments, but it isn’t always celebrated on the same date.
In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. This spring date is perfect, especially since it generally tends to be warmer.
Likewise, Canadian Mother’s Day is also celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Typically, Canadians find themselves surrounded by cooler temperatures.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day, also known as Mothering Sunday, is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent. Lent is a period of forty days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.
In other words, British Mother’s Day is usually earlier. So, for example, in 2025, this falls on March 30th.
Mother’s Day in Australia and New Zealand is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, the same as in the United States and Canada. Remember that they are in the opposite hemispheres, which means they are in the fall or autumn.
No matter where you are or in what season, Mother’s Day is a special time to pay tribute to moms.
Mother’s Day in the U.S.
In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May as noted previously.
The holiday recognizes mothers, motherhood, and maternal bonds, as well as mothers’ positive contributions to families and society.
Needless to say, this is a major holiday in American culture.
The modern American version of Mother’s Day began in the early 20th century at the initiative of Anna Jarvis.
Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day service of worship and celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. To this day, it serves as the International Mother’s Day Shrine.
Meanwhile, popular observances on Mother’s Day in the United States include holiday cards and gift-giving. Many people give gifts, cards, flowers, candy, or other treats.
Likewise, many partake in churchgoing accompanied by the distribution of carnations. Flower sales go through the roof during this period.
Similarly, there are usually family dinners. Mother’s Day dinners are very popular, thanks to films and television shows over the decades.
Finally, it should be noted that the holiday is not a federal or public holiday, but it is widely observed. It’s surely one of the most commercially successful occasions.
Popular Gifts for Moms
Mother’s Day is a hugely successful event for most businesses. Based on the search results, Americans give a variety of items on this special day.
The most popular and commonly gifted items for Mother’s Day in the United States include things like flowers, chocolate, jewelry, and, more recently, tech gadgets.
Flowers are a timeless and classic gift for Mother’s Day. They are a symbol of love and appreciation, and they add beauty and freshness to mom’s home.
Chocolate is another popular choice for Mother’s Day gifts. It’s a sweet and indulgent treat that many moms enjoy receiving on their special day.
In recent decades, gift cards have become a versatile and practical gift option for Mother’s Day. Moms choose something they truly want or need. Whether it’s for a favorite restaurant, coffee shop, retailer, or a spa day, gift cards are awesome.
Meanwhile, jewelry, particularly items like 14k-gold-plated huggies or fine (but affordable) jewelry, is a popular choice for Mother’s Day gifts.
These items make moms feel special and cherished, usually without breaking the bank.
Finally, high-tech gadgets like digital frames or Apple Watches have also become sought-after gifts for Mother’s Day. These items are perfect for the tech-savvy modern moms as both functionality and enjoyment.
Unique Gifts for Moms
Although every Mother’s Day gift is special, items like framed prints, customized t-shirts, and hilarious mugs have unique appeal.
There is nothing that beats mom opening up a package to reveal a gorgeous print she can put in any of the rooms.
Moms absolutely love art prints because they can add a personal touch to their homes and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Another item that moms love is a customized t-shirt. Customized tees can be personalized with meaningful phrases, monogramming, names, initials, quotes, and more.
As you can imagine, this makes these shirts a timeless keepsake of love and gratitude.
Likewise, hilarious mugs, such as those with funny messages or unique designs, bring joy and laughter to the recipient.
These mugs, when paired with sentimental cards or other thoughtful additions, become a heartwarming and lighthearted gift for Mother’s Day.
Finally, as any mom will tell you, the most endearing gift is the fact that your child wants to celebrate you.
What an honor.
Where to Shop
My goodness, there really are a growing list of places to snug Mother’s Day gifts. They happen to be both online and offline.
Start with Etsy. Etsy has a wide range of unique and customizable gifts. You will find gifts like jewelry, decorative trays, and personalized library stamps.
You will also find items like earrings, cards, and organic-salad-blend seed bombs.
This is definitely a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for your mom.
Meanwhile, there are also department stores. Consider luxurious bathrobes, scented candles, spa gift sets, essential oil massagers, and jewelry.
These items are found at local department stores or specialty beauty shops. It makes it convenient to find a variety of spa and beauty-related gifts for your mom.
Of course, online retailers like Sephora and The Pioneer Woman have a variety of gifts. These include personal blenders, perfumes, and skincare products.
I find online retailers to have the option to buy digitally and pick up in-store, making it convenient for last-minute shoppers.
Happy Mother’s Day!
