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Mother’s Day Experiences: Gift Ideas That Last a Lifetime

mother and adult daughter hugging

The second Sunday in May—Mother’s Day—is the only day of the year (besides maybe her birthday) that’s dedicated to celebrating only Mom. Anna Jarvis held the first Mother’s Day in 1907, and in 1914, it became a national holiday.

We know moms love flowers. But these days, rather than showering her with physical gifts, more people are giving her the gift of a memorable event. Curious to learn more? 

Discover several Mother’s Day experience gifts below to find the right way to honor the mom (or moms!) in your life this holiday.

Weekend getaway

If your mom loves traveling, plan the perfect weekend getaway for the two of you (or the whole family). You can book an Airbnb or stay at a luxury hotel—Hotels.com often offers deals and promotions.

During your trip, you can also treat Mom to several fun and engaging activities, such as:

  • Sightseeing tours
  • Kayaking
  • Food or wine tours
  • Boat trips
  • Botanical gardens
  • Museums

These options make it easy to give Mom a memory she can cherish. Even if your schedules don’t align, you can always treat her to a travel gift card so she can reserve or plan her next trip!

mother and daughter on a hiking trip

Spa day

Help your mom unwind after a long week with a luxurious spa day. You have two great options here: 

  • Plan an at-home spa day by gifting her bath bombs, face masks, and other self-care items.

  • Give her a Spafinder gift card and treat her to a massage, facial, hair or nail service, or even a workout class.
Night at the movies

Is your mom a movie buff? Whether she’s a fan of a particular genre or her favorite actor is starring in the latest romantic comedy, a night at the movies makes for a fantastic gift.

To make the night even more special, buy your mom an AMC, Regal, Cinemark, or Fandango gift card, and treat her to some tasty popcorn and classic movie theater snacks. Some theaters even offer private rentals—a convenient opportunity to host a party with all her friends and family!

Cooking class or tastings

Whether your mom is a foodie or the family chef, cooking classes and tastings make for a unique and fun experience. Sign the two of you up for a virtual or in-person class, and watch delicious creations come alive.

Popular classes and tastings include:

  • Coffee
  • Mixology
  • Wine
  • Pasta
  • Chocolate
  • Cheese

Pick whatever suits her fancy. You can even set up an at-home tasting and invite other friends and family to join!

Cruise

Has Mom been waiting to embark on an Alaskan cruise? Or perhaps she loves the Caribbean. Whatever the case, pay for her share of the cruise of her dreams!

Whether it’s a mother-daughter trip or a whole family outing, your present can help her explore the world. Gift cards for cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity are another fantastic gift option as they allow her to choose the destination herself.

older couple on a cruise ship vacation

Concert or theater

Picture this: Mom’s favorite band is coming to town, and she’s dying to go. But you know she won’t spend the money on concert tickets, making this the perfect opportunity to surprise her with a stellar experience.

If you have a StubHub gift card, you can easily budget the tickets in advance or invite her to choose whatever concert or theater performance she wants!

Sports event or activity

Whether she’s the most active person you know or prefers playing for fun, you can find many ways to incorporate sports and exercise into Mother’s Day. Some ideal options include:

  • Topgolf
  • National Parks pass
  • Tickets to a sporting event
  • Yoga class

No matter which of these your mother prefers, she’s sure to have a memorable time.

DIY day

Is your mom a crafty gal? Maybe she loves making her own flower arrangements or crochets every night before bed. Consider stocking up on her must-have supplies for a Mother’s Day surprise—no matter what craft activity she's into.

Head to a craft or hardware store, like Michael’s or Home Depot, and gather supplies for the special day. You’ll be in for a fun DIY experience that will leave her with a cherishable token of your time together.

older woman mom painting in craft room

Book club brunch

If your mom always lends you her favorite books, turn Mother's Day into a book club event. With a little planning, you and your mom can read the same novel and discuss it over drinks or brunch on the holiday.

Want to go bigger? Decorate the meeting area to match the story’s theme or dress as your favorite character.

Budget for an unforgettable Mother's Day experience with RaiseRight

Ready to celebrate Mom? Whether she’s a movie-goer, craft queen, foodie, or anything in between, RaiseRight makes it easy to give your mother an unforgettable experience this year.

With a RaiseRight program, you can effortlessly earn money for your favorite cause or organization—just by buying and using gift cards for everyday purchases. Learn more about how it works here.

Not yet enrolled in RaiseRight? Consider establishing a gift card fundraising program to support a local school, sports team, or music program. Or, talk to your place of worship or preferred nonprofit about getting started with RaiseRight. You or your organization can earn up to 20% per gift card purchase. It’s that easy!

Start gifting and fundraising right, with RaiseRight. Get started for free today.