Mother’s Day 2025: Date, significance, traditions and gift ideas

Beyond flowers and gifts, Mother’s Day is a moment to reflect on the pivotal role mothers play, not just in families but in communities

It’s that time of the year when you pause to appreciate the most important women in our life, your mothers. Mother’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a heartfelt reminder to celebrate the love, care, motivation and guidance that mothers offer every single day. As 2025 rolls in, this day is once again an opportunity to express gratitude and make your mom feel truly special.

Mother's Day Date:

Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May in many parts of the world, including the US, India, Canada, and Australia. This year, it falls on Sunday, May 11, 2025. The day is widely observed with family gatherings, brunches, flowers, and thoughtful gifts. Though the exact traditions may vary from one culture to another, the core emotion remains the same: showing appreciation and cherishing mothers for all that they do.

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History and significance of Mother's Day:

Mother’s Day holds deep emotional and cultural significance. The modern version of the celebration began in the early 20th century, largely thanks to Anna Jarvis in the United States. She wanted a day to honour her own mother and all mothers for their immense care and influence in society. While Jarvis initially intended it as a personal, handwritten-letters kind of day, it soon grew into a more commercial holiday, embraced across countries and cultures.

But beyond flowers and gifts, Mother’s Day is a moment to reflect on the pivotal role mothers play, not just in families but in communities. Whether biological, adoptive, stepmothers, or mother figures, this day is a tribute to their unconditional love, strength, and resilience.

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Here are some thoughtful gift ideas for your mom:

Spa day experience: Treat her to a relaxing spa session or even a full wellness retreat if you want to go all out. Massages, facials, aromatherapy, and hydrotherapy can help her unwind and recharge. Bonus points if you join her for a mom-and-me spa day, it’s a great way to bond and make memories.

Subscription box: From books and teas to skincare or gourmet snacks, there’s a subscription box for every kind of mom. These monthly surprises are the gifts that keep on giving. Choose something that matches her interests, like a wine-tasting box, an artisanal coffee club, or even a DIY craft box for creative souls.

Robot cleaner: If she’s the only one worrying about ‘no-maid days’ and how to keep the house spic and span, then it’s time to splurge and get her a robot vacuum cleaner. These little helpers can sweep and mop the floors without lifting a finger. She can even name it: maybe Ramu Kaka, Shanta Bai, or something cheeky. It’s a thoughtful way to take a load off her daily chores.

Personalised photo album: Create a keepsake filled with cherished family photos and memories she can flip through anytime. Don’t just print pictures, add captions, handwritten notes, and even tickets or pressed flowers from past trips and milestones. It’s a nostalgic gift that will surely tug at her heartstrings.

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Smart home assistant: Help make her life easier with a voice-controlled assistant like Alexa, Google Nest, or Apple’s HomePod. She can set reminders, listen to her favourite music, check the weather, manage to-do lists, or even control smart appliances, all with simple voice commands. It's practical, modern, and makes her feel tech-savvy.

Handwritten letters: Sometimes, nothing beats heartfelt words. Write her a letter sharing what she means to you, your favourite memories with her, or simply say thank you for all the unseen things she does. You can even make it a tradition, one letter a year, sealed in an envelope, for her to read whenever she needs a pick-me-up.