Mother’s Day is a special time for mothers and mother figures to be appreciated, celebrated, and shown love by those who have benefited from their innumerable acts of selflessness and care. If you or your loved ones are tired of the usual flowers, cards, and jewelry, we have some alternative ideas for you that are sure to express your thoughtfulness, appreciation and connection to those who tend to be experts at those three things themselves!
Curate a Menu for Your Mom
Food and cooking are ways that mothers and mother figures across many cultures show love to their family; return the favor this Mother’s Day by cooking for them breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. If the mother in your life has a beloved family recipe passed down to her, try making it for her; even if you’re not a Michelin-starred chef, the effort will make her happy. Or, help your mother reconnect with her roots by trying one of our heritage-inspired recipes honoring Mediterranean, Latin American, African Heritage, or Asian heritage cuisines; we have a great recipe database chock-full of ideas for you to use as inspiration! If mom is vegetarian or vegan, we have recipes for her, too! Or, maybe she likes trying new foods – in any case, we have plenty of recipes that are wholesome, quick, and beginner-friendly, for you to try.
For instance, Plantain Pancakes make a great breakfast-in-bed, Migas Con Huevos do well as a deliciously savory brunch, Soba and Cabbage Salad with Peanut Miso Dressing is perfect for a satisfying vegan lunch, and Pasta e Fagioli is a warm, hearty dinner.
And if you’re like Sara (Oldways President, pictured with her daughter, Casey) and want a little bit of everything, here’s what’s on the menu:
Salmorejo Cordobes (Cold Tomato Soup)
“Everything Green” Chickpea Salad
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Chicken Sausage
Bruschetta with crushed Castelvetrano olives and lemon zest, topped with stracciatella
Feta-mint-lemon dip
If baking is more your thing, try your hand at Baba Limoncello with Lemon Cream, Spanish Almond Cake, or Tangzhong Choreg.
Participate in Fun Activities Together
Take a class or workshop together! Learning new things together is a bonding experience in and of itself. Try a sip-and-paint class, a beginner knitter’s class, or a wine-tasting class. Attend a craft night at your local library or go to a shop and bring the beads home for some DIY jewelry-making! You could also take mom on a picnic; pack some crackers, cheese, wine, and a blanket, then go to your nearest farm, meadow, or your own backyard, and enjoy!
Basking in the sun and fresh air with some goodies to snack on would be a wonderful – and low-cost – way for you and the special mother in your life to lay low and relax; it’s the little things in life that tend to feel most meaningful! If you have a mom who likes being active, pull up a yoga YouTube video in the living room, play a game of her favorite sport, or simply go for a walk together. Being active with others is a foundation of all heritage diets. It can lower stress, improve mood, and invite a sense of play that fosters light-heartedness and fun between your family members.
Gift Her Adventure
Treat her to a trip! Travel allows for genuine, quality time outside of your usual environment, which can help improve problem-solving skills and reduce stress – and with culinary travel, you can enjoy new and delicious meals together while exploring these novel places, and learning new things, too! And the best part: neither of you has to be on dish duty post-meal! Additionally, these experiences facilitate growing together through developing more understanding, respect, and appreciation for other cultures. If the mom in your life enjoys art, wine, and Spanish cuisine, our Madrid trip offers all of that, and more. Hear about why this mother-daughter duo loves traveling together. Or, if you or your mom is unable to travel, pick a few spots in your neighborhood or city that you two haven’t been to before, and put something in each spot, like a photo of you two, or an object that represents something to her, for a sentimental scavenger hunt!
While Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10 in the U.S., other Mother’s Days occur at different times in different countries. Regardless of when and where you are celebrating, we hope that you are inspired to make Mother’s Day extra meaningful with good food, bonding activities, and special shared moments.
✅ Reviewed by a Registered Dietitian, as is all Oldways’ brand content and messaging
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