First published: April 2008. Updated: October 2026 with current Mother’s Day spending data and gift trends.
Updated for 2026: Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach a record $38 billion, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. That is up from $34.1 billion in 2025 and higher than the previous record of $35.7 billion set in 2023.
On a per-person basis, shoppers plan to spend an average of about $284.25 on Mother’s Day gifts and celebrations. About 84% of U.S. adults plan to celebrate the holiday, keeping Mother’s Day one of the most important spring shopping moments for families, restaurants, florists, jewelry stores, gift shops, and online retailers.
Jewelry leads expected Mother’s Day spending at about $7.5 billion, followed by special outings such as dinner or brunch at $6.4 billion and electronics at $4.4 billion. Flowers remain a classic favorite, with spending projected around $3.2 billion, while greeting cards are expected to total about $1.3 billion.
Even with higher budgets, the best Mother’s Day gifts are still the ones that feel personal. A thoughtful card, favorite meal, shared outing, helpful service, or practical gift can matter more than the price tag. For families watching costs, the safest strategy is to decide on a budget early, compare delivery deadlines and fees, and focus on gifts that match what the mother figure in your life will actually enjoy.
Popular Mother’s Day gift ideas include:
- Flowers, plants, and garden gifts
- Greeting cards with handwritten notes
- Special outings, brunches, dinners, or local experiences
- Jewelry, clothing, accessories, and personalized keepsakes
- Gift cards, subscriptions, and practical services
- Tech gifts, photo gifts, and family memory projects
No official 2027 Mother’s Day spending forecast is available yet. The National Retail Federation typically releases its Mother’s Day survey results in late April, so this article should be refreshed again when the 2027 figures are published.
