39 Mother’s Day ideas for every type of mom

Mother’s Day is a day reserved for Mom—or your grandma, stepmom, mother-in-law, the mother of your children, or any other maternal figure in your life. Whomever you’re celebrating this May, show how much you appreciate her with the greatest gift of all: a brand new memory made together. From one-on-one brunches to Mother’s Day cocktail parties to virtual Mother’s Day ideas for long-distance celebrations, the list of things to do for Mother’s Day is as unique as your relationship. 

What are some creative gift ideas for Mother’s Day?

Consider pairing shared experiences with meaningful keepsakes. A beautifully designed Paperless Post Mother’s Day card can double as a heartfelt gift, with the ability to include links or a description of how you’ll spend the day together. You can combine activities, at-home pampering, or a virtual celebration that makes her feel truly cherished. With these Mother’s Day celebration ideas, there’s something special for every mom. 

What are things to do on Mother’s Day?

Some celebrations are best when they’re between the two of you. Spend a memorable day together with our Mother’s Day ideas, just for her and you.

1. Have breakfast in bed 

Let Mom sleep in, then start her day off right with a thoughtful breakfast in bed. Even a simple tray with fresh fruit, pastries from the local bakery, and a handwritten note shows her you care and sets the scene for an extra thoughtful day ahead. 

2. Enjoy brunch together

 

For a morning celebration that might include other family or friends, have a Mother’s Day brunch—it’s a tradition for a reason. It’s a perfect time of day to catch up over mimosas, but Mother’s Day brunch ideas don’t have to stop at an 11 a.m. reservation. 

To make it more intimate and special, prepare a nice brunch at your place or hers, and either have it catered or play with some new recipes together.

3. Explore her hometown

Take a walk down memory lane this Mother’s Day with a trip to her hometown. See the old haunts you’ve only heard about in stories, and stroll through her childhood neighborhood for a nostalgic afternoon. 

If you were raised in the same town as your mom, consider traveling to another place—maybe somewhere that was special to her as a child.

4. Take a garden walk

A trip to a local botanical garden is even better than a bouquet on her dining room table. 

Not only will you both enjoy the spring sunshine as you walk through the budding blossoms, but you can have quiet, quality time with Mom at a place that could become a new favorite meeting spot. If there’s time, have a picnic afterward to finish off the day with some sweet treats.

5. Get some coffee

Some moms run on espresso. For the ultimate cool-mom experience, stop by a local coffee shop and have a chat over caffeinated beverages. Bonus points if there’s live music to enjoy at the shop—and double bonus points if the music is from Mom’s favorite era.

6. Take a class together

Go back to school this Mother’s Day with a class you can take together. Whether it’s cooking, pottery, or economics, a class at a community college or learning annex is a great way to bond over something you’re both interested in. 

This idea may also extend for several weeks beyond Mother’s Day, making it a nice long-term celebration option.

7. Try a new craft or hobby

 

If you and Mom would rather stretch your creativity at home, try a new hobby or craft together. Pick up supplies at your local craft store and spend the afternoon learning the basics side by side. Knitting, crocheting, watercolor painting, or embroidery are all great places to start. You don’t have to be experts to enjoy the process—figuring it out together is half the fun! By the end of the day, you’ll each have a new, handmade creation to enjoy and a new hobby to practice.

8. See a play

If the last play you saw together was your elementary school pageant, make up for lost time this Mother’s Day. Choose a play you’re both interested in and buy some tickets so there’s a set date to go.

For an adventurous afternoon, try a play neither of you has heard of and dress up for an unexpected evening at the theater.

9. Visit a relative

Spend time with Mom and a relative you’ve been meaning to visit this Mother’s Day. The two of you can take a road trip to visit a distant cousin, elderly aunt, or a new baby in the family. 

Grab some lunch together afterward—or better yet, bring lunch to the relative you’re visiting.

10. Go thrifting

Is there any better gift than finding vintage clothes for basement prices? Enjoy the thrill of a good deal with an afternoon of Mother’s Day thrifting. 

If you don’t have local thrift stores in your town, take a day trip to a town with especially fabulous shopping options.

11. Bake something

Whether it’s your mom’s lemon meringue pie or a Mother’s Day dinner for the family, spend the day baking something special together. Ask her to show you how to make your favorite recipe or learn to make something new together. 

Baking together is a great opportunity to preserve a family recipe. Write down the steps as you go, take photos of the process, or start a shared recipe book so these traditions can be passed down! (Turning the recipes you make together into a cookbook could make a great Mother’s Day gift for next year!) 

If you feel like sharing, invite family members over to enjoy the spoils of your afternoon together.

12. Take photos together

Gone are the fuzzy glamour portraits of your youth. Book a photography session outdoors, such as a beach or scenic park, and take photos of the two of you together to replace those old photo studio shots. 

She’ll see how beautiful she is at every age—and you can have a tangible memory of your day together. Print your favorite (or a few) and add it to a nice frame as a lasting keepsake for Mom.

13. Treat Mom to a spa day

 

Pamper her this Mother’s Day with a trip to the spa. Massages, facials, pedicures—nothing’s off the table when it comes to relaxation. Book a longer afternoon for a dip in the jacuzzi or stop in the sauna to loosen up before entering the real world again.

If you’d rather stay in, you can create a relaxing self-care day at home. Light candles, run a bubble bath, and give each other mini facials or manicures. Small touches like cozy robes, her favorite music, and a quiet afternoon together can make the day feel just as indulgent as going to the spa. 

14. Go to a concert

Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be a quiet affair. Rock out at a concert by her favorite band—or a band you love together. If your mom is more of a classical music fan, get tickets for a nearby symphony or opera

15. Plant a garden

Springtime is both a celebration of Mom and a time for rebirth in the garden. Combine these two occasions with a gardening day at your house or hers. 

Find plants, vegetables, or fruits you both love and get them in the ground in time for summer blooms or an autumn harvest. Then, plan to get back together and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

16. Take a hike

Some moms are happiest when they’re moving. Climb a mountain or traverse a meadow together on a Mother’s Day hike, complete with a picnic lunch at the end. 

Choose a well-worn trail you both love or find a brand new area to explore. It could even become a tradition to try a new hike every year. 

17. Finish a home project

Does your mom have an unfinished pantry or a porch that’s been broken since you were a kid? Get the toolbox out and fix up that project in her home—together. 

It may not look much different when you’re done, but every time she walks past that spot in her house, she’ll remember how much you care.

18. Binge a new show

If you and Mom need a day to relax, spend Mother’s Day watching that show you’ve both heard is amazing but haven’t had time to watch. If you’re able to spend the whole day with her, plan an all-day watchfest of the new season before ordering takeout for dinner.

19. Create a photo album

Your family photos either live in a cardboard box in the garage or somewhere in the digital cloud—and you haven’t looked through them in years. Take an in-person or virtual afternoon to look through those memories with Mom and sort them into easily viewable albums. Whether you’re gluing them into a book or ordering a printed book from a photo service, the finished album becomes a meaningful keepsake you’ll both treasure. 

20. Take a trip

 

Mother’s Day doesn’t have to happen in just one day. Schedule a weekend trip to a spot the two of you love to visit—or somewhere you’ve never been before. 

Exploring new stomping grounds is a great bonding experience you’ll remember all year long.

21. Volunteer

Give back to your community with a Mother’s Day volunteering opportunity. Church events, park cleanups, and handing out supplies to those in need—the possibilities to help out are endless. 

Although you’ll be giving the gift of your time, you’ll receive the gift of making a lasting impact in your neighborhood with the most influential woman in your life by your side.

22. Visit an amusement park

Feel like a kid again on roller coasters and merry-go-rounds! Spend the day together at an amusement park and enjoy all the snacks, rides, and games they have to offer. 

Don’t forget to hit the shops and buy a souvenir to remember the best—and most thrilling—Mother’s Day ever.

23. Head to the farmer’s market 

For a more relaxed Mother’s Day outing idea, spend the morning strolling through your local farmer’s market together. Grab some fresh produce, flowers, and homemade treats, and just enjoy the day. You can even plan to cook dinner together using the ingredients you found. 

24. Arrange flowers 

While you’re at the farmer’s market, pick out some seasonal blooms to create your own bouquets. It’ll be even more heartfelt than a pre-made bouquet because you’ll get creative together. You can combine it with some thrifting to find the perfect vase, or just wrap a cute ribbon around your floral creations. What better way to celebrate spring than by spending quality time together?  

Mother’s Day party ideas

For a mom whose magnificence illuminates the room, a party is the only Mother’s Day option! Try out one of these party themes—complete with Mother’s Day invitation ideas—to celebrate your mother or a group of awesome maternal figures.

25. Have a Mother’s Day brunch party

Call your mom’s favorite restaurant well in advance and reserve the big table for your whole family. Send the “Hampton” invitation by Liberty to guests so they can save the date for this special event. 

If the restaurant requires an exact headcount, you’ll have all the info at your fingertips on your Paperless Post tracking page. 

26. Go wine tasting

 

Whether it’s mom and the fam or your best mom friends, a trip to a winery is a fun and sophisticated way to spend Mother’s Day together. Send the “Table Doodle” invitation to a few special guests, then book a tour with stops at multiple wineries. Or make your favorite winery the destination of the day.

27. Host a Mother’s Day picnic or barbecue

Beautiful spring weather practically demands an outdoor Mother’s Day celebration. After you send the pretty “Spring Pergola” invitation by Felix Doolittle, fire up the grill or spread out a picnic blanket for a sun-kissed afternoon with loved ones in the backyard or at a local park. 

28. Enjoy a beach day

If you live close to the coast, Mother’s Day might be a “swell” opportunity to catch some waves and rays. Let Mom show off her new swimsuit with a beachy Mother’s Day to remember.

Invite all the kids and grandkids in the family, and bring some beachy cocktails or mocktails to celebrate in style. 

29. Have a cocktail party

Moms or mom groups who prefer a boozy celebration won’t refuse a cocktail party in their honor. Invite guests to a wild Mother’s Day party with the “Let’s Cocktail” invitation by Phthalo Ruth to set the tone, and let everyone know that little black dresses are encouraged.

30. Visit a zoo or aquarium 

Remember holding Mom’s hand as you watched the penguins slip and slide around their habitat? Gather the family together this Mother’s Day to recreate this childhood flashback at a zoo or aquarium. 

Grandkids in particular will enjoy this celebration idea as they make new memories with Grandma.

31. Host a tea party

 

For a dignified Mother’s Day party, invite the ladies to a traditional tea party with an invitation like “French Lavender” by Monique Lhuillier. Whether you host at a tea house or your own home, every guest will enjoy the chance to sip (and dish) some tea.

32. Make it a “Mom’s favorite” theme

The guest of honor at your Mother’s Day party is truly unique—so her party should be one of a kind, too. Design the party theme around her favorite book, movie, musician, or hobby. 

If you can get guests to dress up as her favorite characters (any Elvis fans out there?), we can guarantee she’ll never forget this Mother’s Day celebration.

33. Attend a bingo night

Even if your mom isn’t a frequent bingo participant, stopping by a local bingo night is a fun way to bond—and make a little extra cash if you’re lucky. Grab a table for all the ladies or family members, pass out the bingo daubers, and get ready to party “B4” the night is over.

34. Enjoy a moms’ night out

Every once in a while, a mom’s just got to let loose. Plan a night out with your mom and her friends—or if you’re a mom yourself, plan an evening for your mom friends at a club or bar away from the kids. 

If Dad wants to know when the party’s over, we’ve got three words for him: don’t wait up.

Virtual Mother’s Day celebration ideas

 

Sometimes, beyond our best efforts, we can’t be with our moms for Mother’s Day. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate together! There are several things to do on Mother’s Day that don’t require you both to be in the same room.

35. Send a genuine Mother’s Day card

A beautiful Mother’s Day card never fails to put a smile on her face. Take a look through our Mother’s Day card ideas for a theme that fits your mom. Write a heartfelt message inside that shows how much she means to you, so the card stands out. 

Then, take a few extra seconds to schedule it to be sent on the actual holiday to ensure her gift lands in her inbox right when you want it to. (Paperless Post makes scheduling cards in advance super easy.)

36. Host a virtual open house

Families who live across different time zones often struggle to get together for Mother’s Day. Set up a virtual meeting and invite loved ones to drop in and give a toast to Mom when they can. 

If sitting online for a long time is stressful for her, record the virtual toasts and let her watch them in her own time.

37. Create a painting together

Great minds think alike, no matter how physically far apart they are. Order the same painting supplies for your mom and you and have them delivered to your respective homes. On Mother’s Day, use a guided painting video to create something together as you catch up over a virtual meeting. Reveal your masterpieces at the end of the call. 

As a bonus, send each other your paintings as a keepsake.

38. Stream her favorite movie

There’s nothing like curling up on the couch and watching a classic movie, but streaming it together comes close. Find a streaming service that’s showing her favorite movie—heartthrobs optional—and watch it virtually together. Send her some specialty popcorn for an added treat. 

39. Take a virtual tour

In the 21st century, we don’t even need to leave our homes to see the world. Take a virtual tour together this Mother’s Day to see priceless pieces of art, stunning wonders of nature, and historic accomplishments of mankind. 

Start with tours from Google Arts and Culture before checking out the options at the National Park Foundation.

Celebration ideas for new moms 

The first Mother’s Day as a new mom is a meaningful milestone! If someone in your life just became a parent, simple gestures can make the day feel even more special. 

 Gentle Mother’s Day activities like breakfast in bed, a relaxed brunch at home, or a quiet stroll with the baby through a garden or farmer’s market are simple ways to celebrate without overdoing it. Be sure to snap some photos of your day to commemorate, and create a keepsake photo album to celebrate this new chapter. 

 

FAQ: How to celebrate Mother’s Day

 

Planning a thoughtful Mother’s Day can come with a lot of questions—especially if you feel like you want to freshen things up from last year. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about celebrating Mom, from simple activities at home to even more creative ways to celebrate together. 

What can I do for Mother’s Day as an adult? 

You can honor any of the mothers or maternal figures in your life—whether that’s your own mom, a grandmother, a sister with kids, or a close friend who’s a parent. Calling to catch up, planning a brunch together, sending a thoughtful card, or organizing a small gathering are all ways to show your care and appreciation. 

What can I do for Mother’s Day with no money? 

Some of the most meaningful things to do for Mother’s Day are free. Write a heartfelt letter, cook a meal together, take a long walk, or spend the afternoon looking through family photos. If you don’t live near one another, a phone or video call can make all the difference. It’s about spending time together.  

What are some fun Mother’s Day traditions? 

Often, families celebrate with annual traditions like Mother’s Day brunch, giving flowers, sending or giving cards, and spending the day outdoors together. You can also create new traditions like making a new family recipe each year, taking a family photo, or planning a special outing or trip—whatever fits your family best! Establishing your own rituals and traditions is part of what makes celebrating Mother’s Day special.  

Wish her the best with Paperless Post

All your mom wants for Mother’s Day is time with you. But for an extra smile—or for those Mother’s Days when you can’t be together—Paperless Post has you covered. 

Check out our Mother’s Day card message ideas for digital Mother’s Day cards, and add a Photo Gallery Block to any card with childhood pictures of you to highlight all the memories you’ve shared. For the ultimate Mother’s Day surprise idea, add new photos of the grandkids. Mother’s Day memories are worth saving, and Paperless Post has the cards that turn them into special memories.