As May unfolds and planning for Mother’s Day intensifies, a new survey offers fresh insights into what mothers truly desire on their special day.
The survey, which polled 1,000 mothers, aims to recalibrate our understanding of maternal expectations and appreciation.
Reevaluating Mother’s Day Gifts
The findings reveal a notable divergence between traditional perceptions of Mother’s Day gifts and mothers’ actual preferences.
Although 71% of mothers emphasize that “it’s the thought that counts,” a significant 87% admitted they would fake appreciation for a gift they disliked, and only 7% would feel slighted if they received poorly sized clothing from their children.
Interestingly, the research suggests a shift toward autonomy in gift selection, with gift cards emerging as the preferred choice—trumping traditional favorites like flowers and jewelry.
About 96% of the surveyed mothers consider gift cards to be an appropriate gift, underscoring their desire for practical and versatile options.
Additionally, the expectation of gifts extends beyond children, with 63% anticipating presents from their significant others as well.
No Social Media Required
In an era dominated by digital shout-outs, the survey found that the majority of mothers place little value on social media recognition.
Instead, they express a 2.5-fold preference for more intimate acknowledgments, such as personalized cards or ecards, highlighting a desire for genuine, heartfelt connections.
About 75% of mothers look forward to Mother’s Day, though enthusiasm tends to wane as they or their children age.
For those less eager about the day, the absence of their own mothers, especially if deceased, is a poignant detractor, reflecting the deep generational bonds that the holiday evokes.
Preferred Activities: Family Time Over Sports
Unsurprisingly, spending time with family emerges as the top activity for mothers on Mother’s Day.
The most cherished moments include having meals with their children, like dinner or brunch.
Conversely, activities such as working, engaging in sports, and cooking rank low on their list of preferred ways to spend the day.
In line with their wishes for relaxation, a majority of 59% prefer to abstain from watching youth sports during the celebration.
The study illuminates the nuanced preferences of mothers, suggesting a move towards more personalized and thoughtful recognition of their roles, while also challenging some conventional Mother’s Day norms.
More details
The table below highlights the preferences of mothers for Mother’s Day gifts, showing a strong inclination towards gift cards, with 66% of moms favoring them over other options such as flowers and personal care products.
Mothers across various age groups consistently prefer gift cards as the top choice.
The preference for specific types of gift cards includes leading retailers like Amazon, Bath & Body Works, and Target.
Most mothers (96%) strongly believe gift cards are an appropriate Mother’s Day gift.
The data also suggests that as mothers age, there is a notable shift in who they expect gifts from, with younger moms expecting gifts from their children and significant others, whereas the expectation declines slightly with age.
And most mothers would pretend to like a gift they don’t actually like, showcasing their considerate nature towards the feelings of their gift-givers.
Mother’s Day Gift Preferences
| Category | Details | Age 25-34 | Age 35-44 | Age 45-54 | Age 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Requested Mother’s Day Gifts | Gift Card | 66% | |||
| Flowers | 54% | ||||
| Massage/Manicure/Pedicure | 50% | ||||
| Clothing/Shoes/Accessories | 49% | ||||
| Beauty/Personal Care Products | 44% | ||||
| Household Item | 34% | ||||
| Books/Media | 26% | ||||
| Most Requested Gifts Based on Mother’s Age | Gift Card | #1 | #1 | #1 | #1 |
| Clothing/Shoes/Accessories | #2 | #4 | #2 | #5 | |
| Food/Drink | #3 | #3 | #3 | #2 | |
| Flowers | #4 | #2 | #4 | #4 | |
| Massage/Manicure/Pedicure | #5 | #5 | #5 | #3 | |
| Top Gift Cards Purchased for Mother’s Day | Starbucks, Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Ulta Beauty, Dunkin’ Donuts | ||||
| Top Gift Cards Moms Actually Want | Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Target, Starbucks, Ulta Beauty | ||||
| Mother’s Day Gifts Expectation by Relationship | Significant Other | 82% | 64% | 57% | |
| My Child | 71% | 83% | 86% | ||
| My Parent | 17% | 11% | 5% | ||
We also see that the activities mothers most desire for Mother’s Day involve spending quality time with their families.
Dining with their children, whether through a dinner (68%) or brunch (58%), tops the list, followed by indulging in self-care activities like sleeping late, and receiving spa treatments.
A substantial 74% of mothers wish to spend the day with extended family, with this desire increasing with age.
Working and doing sports are least favored.
Desired Activities (and Avoidances) by Moms
| Category | Preferences | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| Top 5 Activities Requested by Moms for Mother’s Day | Dinner with my child/children | 68% |
| Brunch with my child/children | 58% | |
| Sleeping late | 44% | |
| Getting a manicure/pedicure | 40% | |
| Going to a spa | 38% | |
| Bottom 5 Activities Requested by Moms for Mother’s Day | Working | 6% |
| Playing a sport | 8% | |
| Exercising | 11% | |
| Spending time away from my children | 12% | |
| Cooking | 12% | |
| Moms Want to be with Extended Family | Total | 74% |
| Age 25-34 | 72% | |
| Age 35-44 | 72% | |
| Age 45-54 | 74% | |
| Age 55+ | 86% | |
| Moms Want a Break from Youth Sports on Mother’s Day | Yes | 41% |
| No | 59% |