Celebrating Mother's Day

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday. Since then, it has become one of the most beloved days in the United States, a day when Americans have the opportunity to stop and recognize the women who brought them into the world.

According to the National Retail Federation, in 2019 the average consumer spent nearly $200 on mother's day gifts. It is, by far, one of the most popular days of the year in terms of retail, and 8 out of 10 consumers celebrate it in some way.

Here at Sproutt, we think it's great to show your mother all the love she deserves, but that doesn't necessarily need to be through spending tons of money on commercial products. For the better part of the past decade, there has been a growing school of thought that experiences are better than actual gifts. One reason for this is that the excitement over a new gift tends to fade relatively quickly, whereas the excitement of an experience remains for much longer.

10 Ideas for Celebrating Mother's Day

This Mother's Day, you can go the traditional route of flowers, a card, jewelry, etc. or you may decide that giving the gift of an experience is a welcome change. If you want to give an experience but aren't sure what to do, check out these 10 ideas for Mother's Day gift experiences.

1. Breakfast in BedThis is what we call an oldie but goodie. Breakfast in bed is one of the classic ways to celebrate Mother's Day, but just because it's classic doesn't mean it won't be appreciated. Make it special by including your mother's favorite breakfast foods and beverages, adding an extra treat, and doing the dishes after.

2. Look Through Old Photo AlbumsThere's nothing quite like looking at old photo albums with the people you love. Set aside a time to sit down with your mother, look at photos from when she was young, and let her tell you about them. Or, look through more recent family photos (in an album or on a device) of when you were a child and reminisce about the good times you had.

3. Make a ScrapbookIn the same vein, creating a scrapbook with your mother can be a lovely activity and a good way of cataloging special memories. You can Google "Mother's Day Scrapbooks" and get a host of DIY ideas. Pick the one that you think your mother would like best.

4. Backyard BBQ/PicnicWhen going out to eat isn't an option, there's no reason you can't have a good meal at home. A backyard barbeque or picnic can be a fun way to have the family come together for some quality time while enjoying fresh air and delicious food. Just make sure that you're mother isn't the one responsible for setting up or cleaning up.

5. At-Home Mani-PediTreat your mom to a luxurious, spa-like experience by giving her an at-home mani, pedi, or both. Prepare all the necessary items beforehand: Cotton, nail polish remover, nail polish, cuticle oil, bath salts, and more. Everything your mom needs to feel pampered and taken care of.

6. KaraokeNothing says "memorable Mother's Day experience" like family karaoke. You can rent a machine or simply line up a playlist of Youtube karaoke songs. Choose some of your mother's old favorites alongside some modern songs you'd never dream of hearing your mom sing. The results will be hilarious and memorable.

7. Explore a Passion ProjectMother's Day is the perfect time to give your mother a chance to try her hand at something she's always wanted to do. Whether it's painting, photography, making fancy desserts, tap dancing you name it. There are plenty of online classes and free tutorials available.

8. Virtual TourThese days, you don't need to leave your house to explore the world's greatest museums, gardens, zoos, and more. Choose a virtual tour that suits your mother's tastes and embark on it together.

9. DIY SundaesMorning, noon, or evening, there's no wrong time to make DIY ice cream sundaes. Hot fudge syrup, whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles go wild with the toppings and you will have created an event that mom and the whole family can enjoy.

10. Zoom PartyIf you aren't able to be with your mother on this special day, setting up a Zoom party for siblings and other family members is a great way to make her feel loved and appreciated. If you really want to go all out, have each family member prepare something short to share. A poem, song, game, or memory then make sure to record the meeting so your mother can watch it whenever she wants.

A Gift From the HeartWhether you give a gift or an experience, the only thing that really matters this Mother's Day is that you give from the heart. If you choose to go the experience-route, you can give your mother a day to remember and spend some serious quality time together.

Experts say that spending quality time with family is one of the main contributing factors to a high quality of life. And when you have a high quality of life, you can reap all sorts of benefits like increased health, balance, even lower life insurance premiums.

Sproutt insurance advisors are available to help you determine what kind of life insurance is best for you. Simply answer a few questions and we will find the best-value plan for your lifestyle, needs, and budget.