Sure, the Barbie-core wave of 2023 gave us hot pink flowers and glittery cards galore—but in 2025, we’re going for something that lasts longer than a bouquet in a vase.
Mother’s Day (falling this year on Sunday, May 11, 2025) is the perfect time to show Mom that your appreciation isn’t just a one-day thing. This year, instead of scrambling for last-minute gifts or defaulting to the usual brunch routine, why not start a tradition that’ll make her smile year after year?
Whether you’re a first-time dad, a seasoned co-parent, or teaming up with siblings to plan something memorable, these activities are designed to become cherished rituals. Think of it as building your own family lore—Mother’s Day edition.
Here are 15 creative and meaningful ways to celebrate Mom in 2025 and every year after.
1. Plant something together
Exercise your green thumbs with a kid-friendly Mother’s Day idea every family member can share. Each year, create a home for a beautiful living plant in a pot, windowsill, garden, or yard. Eventually, Mom will have a beautiful garden filled with fond memories.
2. Spoil her with some good old retail therapy
Make an annual shopping trip a Mother’s Day tradition. Hit the best stores, grab a bite to eat, enjoy great conversation, and compliment her along the way. Mom deserves it.
3. Make moving memories with a video montage
An annual video message costs nothing to make, but makes a priceless gift for Mom. It’s your chance to thank her for everything she’s done, tell her how much you love her, and detail how grateful you are to have her in your life.
If you make it a tradition, she’ll have videos to look back on every year. This is another great one for the entire family to participate in.
4. Plan your next family getaway together
Whether it’s a full week’s vacation or just a quick trip to Grandma’s, having a family trip to look forward to is half of the fun. Either way, you’ll get to spend time together as a family making loads of memories.
5. Take a family photo somewhere beautiful (and return to the same spot every year!)
You’ve probably seen this circulating on social media, and we fully understand the appeal! Having a place and a memory to look back on every year is a sweet annual tradition for Mother’s Day that showcases how each family member has changed and grown.
6. Treat her to an annual spa day
If you’re on the hunt for something a little bougie, nothing beats a spa day. Treat mom to a facial, massage, mani, or pedi—the works! We know all moms could do with a little relaxation.
7. An oldie but a goodie: Serve mom breakfast in bed
There’s nothing more satisfying than waking up to the smell of your favorite breakfast. We’re thinking, eggs Benedict, a side of bacon, hash browns, sausages—whatever is your mom’s version of the works.
8. Have a family picnic
Simple, memorable, fun, and family oriented, a picnic is a wonderful way to get the whole family together to celebrate mom.
9. Gift her a memory
There’s something that will always remind you of her: a scent, a flower, a meal. Something that is so intrinsically special and unique to her.
Make that special thing the theme of an annual gift: If she loves lilacs for example, gift her a different lilac-themed surprise each year, like a lilac candle, a lilac-patterned scarf, or an outing to a lilac garden. She’ll love adding to her collection of special memories and mementos each year.
10. Keep it simple: a handmade card, flowers, and chocolates
There’s value in simplicity. Remember that the cards, flowers, and chocolates are always on the table. Mom will appreciate and love anything you do to make her feel special!
11. Watch the spring sky together
2025 is bringing some spectacular celestial events, including a meteor shower in May. If skies are clear, make it an annual tradition to watch the stars together.
Grab some blankets, hot cocoa, and enjoy a quiet moment of awe. Even if it’s cloudy, it still makes for a cozy night outdoors.
12. Let her design her own gift online
We’re living in peak personalization era. Let Mom custom-design a piece of jewelry, a planner, or a tote—online and at her own pace.
You can make it a tradition: every year, she creates her own special item (and you foot the bill). A win-win!
13. Turn AI art into a family project
AI art generators are now super intuitive. Each family member can create a digital artwork that reminds them of Mom, then turn it into prints, magnets, or even a photo book.
It’s modern, fun, and a unique way to see how everyone views her through their own lens—literally.
14. Start a digital scrapbook
Create a shared Google Photos album or digital scrapbook that gets updated every Mother’s Day with photos, notes, and videos from the past year.
It becomes an annual time capsule of motherhood and family life—something she can flip through on hard days or show off to friends.
15. Try a one-day digital detox
Declare Mother’s Day a phone-free zone—no endless scrolling, just real presence.
Unplug, play board games, cook together, or just lounge and laugh. It’s one of the most precious gifts you can give her in 2025: your full, undistracted attention.
