Mother's Day, the second Sunday in May, is one of the few days of the year dedicated entirely to celebrating 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 more people are skipping the physical gifts and opting for a memorable experience instead. So, we're sharing our favorite Mother’s Day experience gifts to honor the mom (or moms!) in your life this holiday.
Weekend getaway
If 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 her 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. And if your schedules don't align, you can always gift her a travel gift card so she can reserve or plan her next trip.
Spa day
Help your mom unwind with a luxurious spa day, because she deserves it. Aside from taking her to her favorite spa, consider these other options:
- Plan an at-home spa day by gifting her bath bombs, face masks, and other self-care items.
- Give her a Spafinder or Spa & Wellness gift card to discover a new favorite place for massages, facials, hair or nail services, 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 experience gift for Mother's Day.
To make the night extra special, start with an AMC, Regal, Cinemark, or Fandango gift card, then treat Mom 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 tasting
Whether she loves to cook or just loves to eat, a class or tasting is a fun, hands-on way to spend the day together. Popular options (virtual or in-person) include:
- Coffee tastings
- Mixology classes
- Wine tastings
- Pasta-making classes
- Chocolate tastings
- Cheese tastings
You can even set up an at-home tasting and invite other friends and family to join.
Cruise
Has Mom been dreaming of embarking 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 family vacation, your experience gift can help her explore the world. Consider gift cards for cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, or Celebrity, so she can choose the destination herself.
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 Mother's Day experience gift.
Grab tickets to see her favorite band or performer, or give her a StubHub gift card and let her choose a show.
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:
- Spending an afternoon at Topgolf
- Gifting her an 'America the Beautiful' annual National Parks pass
- Surprising her with tickets to a sporting event
- Taking her to a yoga or pilates class
DIY day
Is your mom a crafty gal? Maybe she loves making flower arrangements or crocheting before bed. Consider stocking up on her must-have supplies for a Mother's Day surprise—no matter what 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 Mother's Day experience that will leave her with a cherished token of your time together.
Book club brunch
If your mom always lends you her favorite books, turn Mother's Day into a book club event. With some advanced 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 your dining area or patio to match the story’s theme, or dress as your favorite character.
Volunteer day
If Mom is passionate about giving back, spend the day volunteering together for a cause that's close to her heart. It's a great way to honor her values while spending quality time together.
Some ideas to get you started:
- Serve meals at a local food bank or shelter
- Help care for animals at a rescue or humane society
- Plant trees or clean up a local park or beach
- Build homes with a Habitat for Humanity chapter
- Visit and spend time with residents at a senior center
To make the day feel extra special, follow it up with her favorite meal or dessert.
Budget for an unforgettable Mother's Day experience with RaiseRight
From spa days to cooking classes, the best Mother's Day experience gifts are the ones that create lasting memories—and RaiseRight can help make them more affordable.
RaiseRight is a fundraising platform that lets you raise money as you shop, dine, or book travel with hundreds of well-known brands.
As you shop for gift cards, book a special dinner, or plan a family outing, every purchase could earn money back for your kids' school, sports team, band, or other organization.
You can earn up to 30% back with every purchase, so treating Mom doesn't have to come at the expense of your family budget. In fact, top-earning families raise over $1,000 a year—just by using RaiseRight as they shop or dine.
Curious how much your household could earn? Try our free Earning Potential Calculator and find out.
