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Wondering what to do for Mother’s Day? Look no further than this complete list of activities and gift ideas
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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! From homemade gifts to special outings, we’ve got all the ideas you could 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.

Celebrating Mother’s Day

Spend the day celebrating your mom with an activity she’ll love. Take a flower arrangement or cooking class together, organize an afternoon of crafting or hiking, or spend some quality time together over a special dinner or movie marathon.

1

Give her flowers.

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  1. 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 on 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!
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2

Make her a card.

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  1. 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]
    • 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

Write her a letter.

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  1. Go above and beyond a typical Mother’s Day card with a handwritten letter. Choose a pretty piece of stationery to write your Mother’s Day letter on. Pen a heartfelt letter all about how much you love your mom. Write about your favorite memories together, or write a list of all the reasons you’re grateful for her.
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5

Serve “mom”-osas.

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  1. Add a special touch to your Mother’s Day brunch with this beverage. Whip up a pitcher of mimosas by mixing equal parts champagne and orange juice. Treat your mom to this breakfast-time drink, but make sure she knows they’re special “mom”-osas just for her.
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6

Make her a playlist.

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  1. 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.
7

Watch a movie together.

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  1. Spend some quality time with your mom watching a film. Bring over mugs, a cozy blanket, and a pair of fuzzy socks to get your mom ready for your movie marathon. This is a simple and fun way to celebrate a relaxing and 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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9

Start a book club.

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  1. Start a bonding activity that will go far beyond just Mother’s Day. Buy a few books off of your mom’s “to-be-read” list. Get one copy for each of you, then spend each month reading a new book from the collection. At the end of the month, get together over dinner or coffee to talk about the book and what you liked about it. [4]
    • You could also include some of your best friends and their moms in the club, trading off each month which mother-child duo gets to pick the newest book.
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10

Make her a coupon book.

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  1. 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] Consider adding some of these coupons to your booklet:
    • 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.
11

Give her a photo keepsake.

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  1. Commemorate your mom’s special day with a picture. Document whatever activity you do together with a Mother’s Day selfie. Later, use an online service like Shutterly to turn the photo into a keychain, magnet, or other keepsake.
    • If you’re not in the same area as your mom on Mother’s Day, text her a throwback photo of the two of you together, along with a sweet message about how much you appreciate and miss her.
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13

Craft a homemade gift.

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  1. 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:
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14

Make a Mother’s Day wreath.

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  1. Give your mom a crafty gift she can adorn her door with. You can make a paper garland or use dried flowers to create your thoughtful wreath. Or, make a unique wreath with your mom’s interests in mind, like this seed packet wreath:
15

Make a DIY handprint apron with young kids.

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  1. Get kids or grandkids involved with this kitchen-y keepsake. Purchase a blank canvas apron to fit your mom. Paint the child’s hand with fabric paint and press it into the center of the apron. Use more fabric paint to write the letter “M” on each side of the handprint so that the apron spells “MOM.”
    • If desired, decorate the apron with more paint doodles, rhinestones, or ribbon trim.
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17

Set up a crafting afternoon for her.

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  1. Dedicate the whole day to a fun craft activity. Choose a craft activity that your mom will love, like cross stitching or making a beaded centerpiece . Get all the supplies you’ll need and set them up in your mom’s craft room as a surprise. Spend the rest of Mother’s Day crafting together and seeing what you can create! [7]
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18

Put together a thoughtful photo album.

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  1. Gift your mom with the memories of all your special years together. Design a custom photo album on a site like Artifact Uprising or Shutterfly . Or, go the old-school route by arranging printed or film photos into a photo album. Highlight some of your favorite memories together and remind your mom of all the wonderful times you’ve had together. [8]
19

Set up a Mother’s Day interview.

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  1. Get to know your mom better by shining a light on her life story. This activity is great if you have kids of your own who can be tasked with interviewing their grandmother. They (and you) are sure to learn more about the family matriarch.
    • You could even compile what they’ve learned into a storybook or video to document your family’s history.
    • Check out companies like StoryCorps for tips and guidelines for conducting and recording a family interview.
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21

Cook her favorite meal.

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  1. 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. [9]
    • 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.
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22

Cook a family recipe.

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  1. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a nod to your family history. Your mom may have a beloved recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Cook the recipe with her to spend some quality time together while also learning more about your heritage. [10]
    • If you have smaller kids in your family, teaching them a family recipe is a really special way to celebrate Mother’s Day!
23

Bake her favorite dessert.

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  1. 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. [11]
    • 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.
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24

Offer to help her with chores.

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  1. 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. [12]
    • 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 every day.
25

Help her in the garden.

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  1. 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. [13]
    • Go the extra mile and buy your mom something fun to add to her garden, like a gnome or flag.
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26

Plant an herb garden together.

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  1. Tackle a new gardening project with your mom. Help your mom plant an herb garden in her backyard—replete with mint, parsley, rosemary, and whatever herbs your mom loves to cook with. Plus, you’ll get the added benefit of tasting fresh herbs in her cooking all summer long!
    • If your mom doesn’t have a gardening area, help her build a mason jar herb garden .
    • Fill a set of mason jars with rocks and potting soil, then sprinkle herb seeds on top of the soil.
    • Spread more soil over the seeds, then watch them grow!
27

Give her the day off.

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  1. 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!
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29

Join her for her favorite self-care activity.

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  1. Spend a few hours taking care of yourselves—together! Invite your mom to any relaxing and refreshing activity that she may be interested in. Try attending a yoga class together, going to a Zumba class, doing an at-home beauty treatment, or getting stone massages at the local spa.
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30

Give your mom’s bedroom a refresh.

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  1. Give her everything she needs to build a sleep sanctuary. Create a gift package that’s full of pampering items for her bedroom. Include fresh flowers, soft bed sheets, scented candles, and a relaxing room spray . Gift your mom the package and then spend the afternoon sprucing up her room together.
31

Embark on a home decor project together.

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  1. Finish up that DIY project that your mom always means to get around to. Ask your mom what kind of projects or additions she’d like to make to her home. Maybe it’s wallpapering the bathroom, building a reading nook, or installing an antique chandelier in the dining room. Whatever the task, help your mom get it done and make her home an even more beautiful place to be!
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33

Volunteer together for a cause she cares about.

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  1. Spend time together while lending a helping hand to others. Look for volunteer experiences that you can schedule for Mother’s Day weekend. You could try helping a soup kitchen, picking up litter on your local trails, or pitching in at a nearby animal shelter. Finding a way to give back to your community is a great way to show your mom what a wonderful person she’s raised. [16]
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34

Go for a stroll or a hike.

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  1. Spend some time enjoying the great outdoors together. Invite your mom on a local hike or a stroll around a botanical garden or neighborhood park. Take the opportunity to chat about what’s going on in her life, and make sure to take time to smell all the spring flowers! [17]
35

Take on a berry-picking trip.

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  1. Invite the whole family to celebrate your mom at a local U-Pick farm. Look for farms or orchards near you that are open for self-service berry picking. Pick some delicious strawberries, blueberries, or whatever the farm has to offer. Bring a camera along to document all the fun new memories you’re making with your mom!
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37

Rent her dream car for the day.

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  1. Give your mom a once-in-a-lifetime experience with her dream wheels. Rent a classic car that your mom has always adored. When in doubt, go with a crowd-pleaser like a Rolls-Royce or Porsche. Plan out a scenic driving route where the two of you can let your hair down and enjoy the ride!
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38

Go antiquing together.

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  1. If your mom’s an avid collector, take her on a full-day antiquing trip. Visit some of the best vintage stores and antique emporiums in your area. Grab a coffee and spend the rest of the day browsing and looking for special treasures to take home. If there’s a flea market in your town, make a stop there too! [18]
39

Surprise her with a night out.

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  1. 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 needs to let loose. Treat her to a night on the town, a fancy dinner, or a trip to the theater. [19]
    • Ask your mom where she'd like to go and take her there, no questions asked.
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41

Visit a museum together.

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  1. Take in some art and culture while celebrating your mom. Check out the temporary or permanent exhibits at your mom’s favorite museum—this could be a music museum, history museum, art museum, or whatever you have in your area! After you wrap up your gallery gazing, go out for a nice lunch or dinner at a nearby restaurant. [20]
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42

Head to the farmers’ market together.

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  1. Pick up some fresh produce from your local market. Bring over some coffee on Sunday morning and take your mom to the farmer’s market. Pick out some delicious produce and any other tasty goodies that catch your mom’s eye. Then, let your mom relax for the rest of the day while you cook up a meal with all your farm-fresh ingredients. [21]
43

Send her a gift basket.

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  1. 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. [22]
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45

Buy her a subscription box.

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  1. 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! [23]
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46

Take her on a private shopping spree.

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  1. Treat your mom to the ultimate form of retail therapy. Set up a private shopping session at your mom’s favorite store at a major brand like Macy’s or Nordstrom. Many department stores also offer free styling services to help your mom find a look she loves. Finish off the day of fun with a Mother’s Day makeover at your closest beauty store! [24]
47

Attend a class together.

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  1. 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. [25]
    • Turn the class into a whole day’s event. Take your mom out to eat, bring her to a favorite store, and have fun together.
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49

Put on a talent show.

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  1. 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:
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50

Organize a family party or gathering.

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  1. 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.
51

Host a Mother’s Day garden tea party.

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  1. Soak up the springtime weather with an outdoor celebration! Set up an outdoor table with colorful napkins and a tablecloth. Make a few varieties of tea sandwiches and serve up a pot of your mom’s favorite tea. Finish off your tea party array with some scones and shortbread biscuits. [27]
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53

Host a backyard family BBQ.

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  1. Celebrate your mom with a delicious barbeque spread. Invite your closest friends and family for a lawn party, and pick out some recipes to fire up on the grill. Get a cooler and fill it with your mom’s favorite summertime beverages. If you want to go the extra mile, buy or rent an outdoor game—like a cornhole set or even yard pong . [28]
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54

Go to a winery together.

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  1. If your mom loves a glass of red or white, take her to enjoy wine in style. Schedule a visit to your nearest vineyard on a sunny spring day. Sign up for a wine-tasting menu and spend the day sipping amongst the grapevines. This special trip is sure to make your mom feel pampered and celebrated! [29]
55

Take her horseback riding.

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  1. Choose horseback riding for an adventurous mom who loves animals! Horseback riding is one of those activities that most people need a special occasion to do—and there’s no better occasion than Mother’s Day! Many horseback riding companies have Mother’s Day deals that will take you and your mom out into the beautiful countryside at a discount.
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56

Plan a backyard “glamping” trip.

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  1. Set up a tent in your backyard and string fairy lights between the trees to make it extra special. Blow up an air mattress, place it in the tent, and top it off with plush blankets and a set of eye masks. Bring along some books or a laptop to watch your mom’s favorite shows on. [30]
    • Get together some snacks, as well. Bonus points if you can make a fun s’mores recipe to make it feel like you’re actually camping!
    • Alternatively, look for companies in your area where you can rent an entire glamping experience and have it delivered to your mom’s backyard.
57

Organize a staycation.

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  1. Take a vacation without even leaving your town! Book a night’s stay at a local hotel for you and your mom. Check-in and order a bottle of champagne for your room, then spend the rest of the evening relaxing however your mom would like to! Lay out by the pool, order room service, or binge-watch TV in a comfy hotel bed.
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58

Take her on vacation.

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  1. 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! [31]
    • 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!
59

Spend some quality conversational time together.

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  1. It can be hard to find time to really talk to your mom. Set aside some intentional time to talk to your mom without any interruptions. Ask her how she’s doing and really listen to her answer. A meaningful conversation with you will probably mean more to your mom than any gift!
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Community Q&A

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Add New Question
  • 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.
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      Tips

      • Mother’s Day can be hard for some, and it’s okay to grieve and feel sad if you’ve lost a mom or a child. Don’t feel pressured to celebrate; go at your own pace.
      • Celebrate Mother’s Day with all types of moms: expecting moms, grandmas, step-moms, single moms, foster moms, and adopting moms.
      • All these tips don’t have to be used just on Mother’s Day—use them year-round! Your mom deserves to feel special on any day of the week, 365 days a year.
      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you don't have a lot of money, ask your neighbors if you can pick some flowers out of their garden to make her a bouquet. Most people will be happy to help!
      • If you fight often with your siblings, make a pact to not fight at all on Mother's Day (to give your mom a break!).
      • Make your mom a homemade sugar scrub by combining essential oils and sugar in an air-tight jar.
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