Are you excited about Mother’s Day and looking for a way to get your mom the best Mother’s Day gifts? In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some fun Mother’s Day ideas and Mother’s Day gift ideas that you can use to surprise your mom! Let’s dive right in, learn more, and find the perfect way for you to celebrate your mother.

When Is Mother’s Day Every Year?

Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May every year. The latest possible Mother’s Day is the 14th, which is when Mother’s Day 2023 falls. The earliest possible Mother’s Day is May 8th, which won’t happen again until 2033. Mother’s Day 2024 will be May 12th, and Mother’s Day 2025 will be on the 11th of May. The following year, Mother’s Day 2026 will be on May 10th, and Mother’s Day 2027 will be May 9th.

Fun Fact: The first official Mother’s Day was celebrated on May 9, 1914, in the United States.

When Is Mother’s Day 2023?

Mother’s Day 2023 is on Sunday, May 14th. This is the second Sunday in May for 2023. Don’t forget your last minute gifts and dinner plans for your mom! If you’re looking for last minute gifts for Mother’s Day, finding a local distillery and picking up a bottle of your mom’s favorite spirit is a great idea!

What’s the History of Mother’s Day?

This long-standing holiday was started by Anna Jarvis, who was inspired by her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War. Ann Jarvis had also created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues.

Anna Jarvis began campaigning for Mother’s Day to be recognized as a national holiday in 1905, the year her mother died. She held the first Mother’s Day service of worship at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, in 1907. In 1911, all U.S. states observed the holiday, with some of them officially recognizing Mother’s Day as a local holiday. In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother’s Day, held on the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers.

Fun Mother’s Day Ideas to Surprise Your Mom:

It can be tough to come up with original ideas for Mother’s Day, but your mom really just wants to feel seen and appreciated – no matter where you are in life, you will always be your mom’s “kid!” Here are a few fun ideas to show your mom you care:

• • Give her a homemade gift. Anything from art to a homemade meal, a handmade gift is more personal and thoughtful.

• Plan a special day out. This could be any type of outing, even to a local distillery if your mom likes spirits!

• Spend quality time with her. Being a mom is hard work, but sitting down and enjoying quality time with her kids can make it all feel worth it! Find something your mom likes to do, whether it’s puzzles, board games, picnics, or even just sitting and talking!
• Take something off her plate*. Especially for moms still in the thick of parenting, a break is often more than welcome. See if there’s anything you can do around the house, in the yard, or errands you can run that will make your mom’s to-do list shorter.

* Many moms will often say there’s nothing you can do to help, because they are so used to being in charge of them. Washing the dishes, vacuuming the floors, folding laundry, and cleaning the bathroom are all good starts that require minimal input from mom on how to do them properly.

Fun Fact: The most popular Mother’s Day gift is flowers, followed by jewelry, gift cards, and candy.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas:

If you really want to get your mom a physical gift, try to consider her likes and dislikes first. See if you can find something that aligns with her hobbies or solves a problem she has. If you can’t think of anything specific, there are some good standbys that most moms will love:

• Flowers. This is a classic Mother’s Day gift, and for good reason. They’re beautiful, they smell great, and they can be delivered right to her door.

• A gift certificate. This is also a good “catch-all” that can be used for anything your mom has been waiting to buy.

• Jewelry. Unless you know that your mom doesn’t really wear jewelry, this is always a good idea. Most moms like having a nice collection of jewelry.

• A gift basket. Gift baskets can be fun, but they’re usually overpriced. If you find one you know your mom will love, though, go for it!

• Photos. As a mom, time flies, and capturing memories doesn’t always cross their minds. So, physical copies of photos that have been taken digitally can be a heartwarming, thoughtful gift.
• A handwritten note. People tend to forget about the intimacy and level of care that goes into a handwritten note or letter. Tell your mom about a fond memory you have of your childhood, or simply put down on paper how much you appreciate that she took care of you when you were younger. Being a mom tends to feel like a thankless job sometimes, and your words will mean more than you know. 

Fun Fact: In the United States, Mother’s Day is one of the most popular holidays, with over $25 billion spent on gifts, flowers, and other celebrations.

Does Your Mom Like Cocktails? Here are Some Mother’s Day Drink Ideas:

If your mom is the type of mom that would love to sit and have a drink with you, you can’t go wrong with these fantastic cocktails. Of course, if your mom has a favorite cocktail, mix that up instead, but here are some Mother’s Day drink ideas:

The Mother’s Day “Bourbon and Bubbles”

This three-ingredient cocktail uses sorbet, high-proof bourbon, and champagne for a delicious, tart flavor with massive complexity. To mix this one up, grab a champagne flute, add 2-3 rounded tablespoons of your mom’s favorite sorbet flavor, then add 1 ½ oz bourbon. Top with champagne and garnish with edible flowers or a lemon twist.

Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade

If you’re looking for something a bit more refreshing on a warm day, this drink is it. This drink is a bit involved, but it’s well worth the effort for a full pitcher of delicious booze. 

To make a pitcher of this delicious drink, first blend 7 cups of watermelon in a blender, then strain it into a pitcher to make watermelon juice. Next, make a thyme honey simple syrup (boil 1 cup of water, ¾ cup honey, and 8-12 sprigs of thyme together for 2-3 minutes), then strain it into the watermelon juice.

Next, add 1 ½ cups vodka, 1 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice, and 1 cup of fresh mint leaves. Fill the pitcher with ice, and serve each person’s drink topped with sparkling water.

The Super Colorful “Royal Treatment”

If you’re looking for a drink to really make your mom feel special (and she likes gin), check out this cocktail made with Empress 1908 Gin, a spirit distilled in Canada. You can find the recipe here: Cocktail No. 7: Royal Treatment.

An Elegant Twist on the Gin Spritz

Full of flavor and elegance, this cucumber mint gin spritz is sure to be a favorite. To make this drink, you’ll need a champagne flute to serve. Into a cocktail shaker, add 6 slices of cucumber, ten mint leaves, and 2 oz of your mom’s favorite gin – bonus points if it’s from a local, craft distillery! Muddle the contents and let sit for 5 minutes.

Next, strain into two champagne flutes, then top with prosecco. Garnish with mint and/or cucumber, then enjoy!

Local, Fresh Spirits: Find Them With Distillery Nearby

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend Mother’s Day (or a day close to Mother’s Day) with your mom – and she loves spirits – see if you can take a distillery tour near you! Even if you can’t, you can always pick up some local spirits to have your own tasting at home! Regardless of your plans for Mother’s Day, make finding local, craft spirits easy – browse your local listings today.