Annual celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, observed on the second Sunday of May in the United States and many other countries, featuring family gatherings, gift-giving, brunch traditions, and social media tributes.
History
Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day service in 1908 at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, to honor her late mother. She campaigned for Mother’s Day to become a recognized holiday, succeeding when President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law in 1914.
Ironically, Jarvis later denounced the holiday’s commercialization, spending her fortune fighting the floral and greeting card industries. She died in 1948, bitter about what her holiday had become.
Global Dates
While most countries celebrate the second Sunday of May, variations include:
- UK: Fourth Sunday of Lent (“Mothering Sunday”)
- Thailand: August 12 (Queen Sirikit’s birthday)
- Russia: Last Sunday of November
- Ethiopia: Mid-fall after rainy season
- Arab countries: March 21 (Spring Equinox)
Social Media Traditions
#MothersDay trends as one of the biggest hashtags annually, featuring:
- Tribute posts: Photos with moms, heartfelt captions, childhood throwbacks
- Gift unboxing: Jewelry, flowers, personalized items, experiences
- Brunch spreads: Breakfast in bed, restaurant meals, mimosa towers
- DIY crafts: Handmade cards (especially from children), painted flower pots
- Single mom appreciation: Honoring solo parents doing “both jobs”
- Loss and grief: Remembering late mothers, difficult relationships, infertility struggles
- Step-moms/grandmas/aunts: Expanding definition of motherhood
Economic Impact
Mother’s Day is one of the highest-spending holidays in the U.S.:
- 2023 spending: $31.7 billion total (National Retail Federation)
- Per person: $274.02 average (highest spending of any holiday)
- Top gifts: Greeting cards (83%), flowers (75%), special outings (59%), jewelry (36%), gift cards (32%)
- Brunch boom: Restaurants report Mother’s Day as busiest day of the year (surpassing Valentine’s Day)
- Phone calls: AT&T reports highest call volume of the year
Restaurant Industry
Mother’s Day is the #1 dining-out day in the U.S.:
- Restaurants see 30-50% increase in traffic
- Many require reservations weeks in advance
- Prix fixe menus, brunch specials, champagne packages
- Staff shortages and overwhelmed kitchens common
Criticism & Complexity
- Commercialization: Anna Jarvis’s original concern remains valid
- Exclusion: Infertility, miscarriage, estrangement, loss make the day painful for many
- Performative posting: Social media tributes as performative vs. genuine appreciation
- Gender roles: Reinforcing traditional motherhood expectations
- “Mom guilt”: Pressure for perfect celebration experiences
Inclusive Movements
- #SupportAllMoms: Honoring adoptive, foster, step, single, LGBTQ+ moms
- #InfertilityAwareness: Acknowledging those struggling to become mothers
- #ChildfreeBychoice: Celebrating women who choose not to be mothers
- #ComplexRelationships: Space for ambivalent or difficult mother-child dynamics
Related Hashtags
#MothersDay2024, #HappyMothersDay, #MomLife, #BestMomEver, #ThankYouMom, #MomAppreciation, #MotherhoodUnplugged, #MothersDay Brunch, #LoveYouMom, #MomGoals
Sources
- National Retail Federation Mother’s Day spending data: https://nrf.com/
- Anna Jarvis biography: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day
- Restaurant industry data: National Restaurant Association, 2018-2023
- Social media trends: Sprout Social, Brandwatch, 2015-2023