Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the women who have shaped our lives with love, guidance, and care, but for many, it can also be a day filled with reflection, longing, or remembrance. While some families gather for brunches and give flowers and gifts, others honor the memory of mothers who are no longer here or recognize mother figures who have made a lasting impact on them. While the holiday looks different for everyone, it remains a meaningful opportunity to express love, gratitude, and remembrance.
This year, Americans are expected to spend a record-breaking amount on gifts, experiences, and thoughtful gestures, highlighting the enduring desire to show appreciation and love in ways both big and small.
🩷Origins of Mother’s Day
According to history.com, the origins of Mother’s Day in the United States dates back to the 19th century. Before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia organized “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to improve sanitation and help educate women about child health and care.
The modern Mother’s Day holiday emerged in the early 1900s through the efforts of her daughter, Anna Jarvis. After her mother’s death in 1905, Anna Jarvis sought to create a day dedicated to honoring the sacrifices mothers make for their children. She envisioned Mother’s Day as a personal and meaningful occasion centered on family, remembrance, and appreciation.
Anna Jarvis originally promoted the tradition of wearing a white carnation and spending time with one’s mother or attending church services. However, after Mother’s Day became nationally recognized, florists, greeting card companies, and retailers quickly embraced the holiday commercially, which Jarvis later openly criticized.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed the second Sunday in May as National Mother’s Day.
💐Perspectives on Spending
According to the annual survey results recently released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics Consumer, spending on Mother’s Day is expected to reach a record $38 billion this year. This amount surpasses last year’s total spending of $34.1 billion.
The leading shopping destinations for gifts this year include online and department stores, followed by specialty stores and discount stores.
Let’s take a look at some gift-related info gathered from this survey about the holiday.
🎁The top gift categories:
Flowers
Greeting cards
Special outing
Gift cards
Clothing or accessories
Jewelry
Personal service
Housewares or gardening tools
Books or other media
Electronics
Other
Flowers remain the most popular gift category, with 75% of shoppers planning to purchase them. Other top categories include greeting cards, special outings such as dinner or brunch, gift cards and clothing or clothing accessories.
A record one-third of consumers plan to gift experiences such as a concert or other event. When purchasing gifts, 46% said finding something that is unique or different is most important, followed by creating a special memory.
🛒NCP Panel Members: If you purchase anything for the Mother’s Day holiday, please remember to scan those items in addition to your regular shopping. It’s very important to report items you purchased outside of your regular shopping, such as those for a holiday or for different seasons throughout the year. (Don’t scan the gifts you receive, only the ones you purchase.)
Mother’s Day may inspire record spending each year, but the heart of the holiday has never been measured in dollars. For some, the day is filled with celebration and togetherness; for others, it’s a quieter time of remembrance, gratitude, or reflection. Whether shared through a meal, a phone call, a bouquet of flowers, or simply holding onto cherished memories, may the day unfold in the way that feels right for you.
Regards,
Taylor
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Mother’s Day is a beautiful day a chance to express love for our mothers and thank them for the love they’ve shown us throughout the year. I will always love my mother and I thank God for her. Thank You God for Blessing me with such beautiful mother.
Although my birthday didn’t fall on Mother’s Day this year, I was born on Mother’s Day and my mom and I always made a point of focusing on that. Once I was an adult and understood the importance of the day, we would spend the day together, but this year was very difficult after losing my mom. I spent the day going through pictures and focusing on her. I smiled, laughed and cried, but a good day.
I’m sorry for your loss, Meredith.
Wow! Never would have made the connection. We all need these root based historical reminders from time to time!
Thank you for writing about Mother’s Day, I use to live in Grafton WV, where the Mother’s Day Church is and the historical Anna Jarvis home is.
Happy Mother’s Day 💓