Mother’s Day can be a mix of emotions. It can be a day full of hopeful expectations… that can sometimes turn into disappointing letdowns.
If you plan ahead, Mother’s Day can be even more meaningful for the special mom in your life if you know her love language.
I’m sharing practical tips to help you identify great Mother’s Day gift ideas for moms for each love language.
If you are unfamiliar with the term “love languages” they are based on a book written by Dr. Gary Chapman titled “The 5 Love Languages.”
We each have love languages that make us feel most loved. If you want to discover your love language you can take the love language quiz to find out.
What Are The 5 Love Languages?
The 5 Love Languages Are:
- Words of Affirmation
- Gifts
- Acts of Service
- Quality Time
- Physical Touch
My Mother’s Days over the years have been a mix. Quality time is my primary “love language”, so I want to spend time with my family doing something fun (with minimal complaining.)
Mother’s Day is also very bittersweet for me because it’s a reminder that my mom is no longer here. As time goes by I want to preserve her memory and not forget all of the little things about her.
My dad tried to fill out some of the pages in my mom’s legacy book for her during the final weeks before her death. I wish I had asked her to fill out a book like this with me while she was healthy.
The answers to those questions would be even more valuable now that I can’t ask her questions whenever I want to. My dad is still alive and has already filled most of his legacy book, which I’m grateful for.
I also encourage you to ask your parents and record these life interview questions by Brendon Burchard.
Have Realistic Mother’s Day Expectations
If you are a mom and want to enjoy Mother’s Day without big disappointments I think it helps to keep your expectations low and realistic.
Sometimes we build up the “perfect Mother’s Day” in our minds and the reality can often be really disappointing, especially if we fail to recognize the little moments that make it special.
Let’s be honest- No day in motherhood is ever perfect so why would you expect it to be extra perfect on Mother’s Day??!!
My kids will still bicker with each other regardless of the day, so why put that extra pressure on a Hallmark holiday?
Moms Need to Communicate What They Want for Mother’s Day
Moms –Our loved ones can’t read our minds and it’s unfair to them if we don’t communicate what we want.
When they ask you what you want to do for Mother’s Day BE SPECIFIC. You can even give them three options to make it easier for them to surprise you with something you want to do.
If your ideal Mother’s Day is to:
- Share a meal you didn’t cook and then have the afternoon to yourself- TELL THEM!
- Spend the day together outdoors on a hike, bike, or kayak ride- TELL THEM
- Get homemade cards and crafts – TELL THEM
- Work in the garden- TELL THEM
- Just spend time together -TELL THEM
- Spend time relaxing by yourself for a few hours – TELL THEM
So how do you figure out what your mom’s love language is?
We tend to give love the way we want to receive love.
Does your mom…
- write you meaningful and encouraging notes?
- give you thoughtful gifts related to your hobbies?
- do things for you?
- try to create memories with you by spending intentional time together?
- hug you a lot?
Think about how your mom shows love to you and what she enjoys doing when she has free time for hints for her special gift.
Gift Ideas for Mom with Each Love Language
Here is the breakdown of each love language and gift ideas to get you started.
Words of Affirmation
- Handwritten cards
- Write one thing you love about your mom on a balloon and fill the room with them
- Books
- Make a video with loved ones sharing why your mom is so special to them.
- Legacy Book
- Memory Journal
Gifts
- Themed Subscription box (Clothing, Specialty Foods-Coffee/Wine, Gardening, Art, Beauty, Books)
- Special events or tours (Concerts, shows, Wine tasting, tours)
- Gift Card to her favorite store
- Significant moment gift– highlighting special dates and people
- Homemade Gifts
- Her favorite perfume, wine, favorite snacks or food, flowers, print of a photo from a special vacation
Acts of Service
- Breakfast in Bed – don’t forget to clean up the mess from breakfast
- Clean the house without being asked
- Do a task that she doesn’t like to do without being asked
- Cook and clean after the meals
- Take care of the kids ALL day (diapers, meals, cleanups, etc)
- Help in the garden/landscaping
- Massage
- Cleaning service
Quality Time
- Plan a family day – special meal, outdoor adventure, get-together
- Schedule a Zoom call with friends and family
- Purchase an experience gift for a later time to share together
- Spa Day
- Food Tour
- Weekend Getaway
- Roadtrip
- One on One scheduled time
- Meaningful Conversation cards
Physical Touch
- Hug Coupons
- Lotion/perfume in scents/brands that she already likes
- Bath Bomb
- Massage
- Soft Fuzzy Blanket
- Spa socks
- Skincare
- Dance lessons
I hope that this article gives you some ideas to get started.
If my kids or husband are reading this looking for ideas, I don’t want to cook or clean all day and I want to share an outdoor adventure with you.
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