Mother’s Day is one of the biggest celebrations on the calendar, yet most people never learn the history behind the brunch reservations and bouquets. It grew from ancient spring festivals into a holiday that now drives record spending in the U.S.
This guide rounds up the most interesting Mother’s Day facts and statistics, from international traditions to the holiday’s surprising origins and the money behind it.
Keep reading to find a trivia nugget or two worth sharing with your own mom this year.
Top 10 Mother’s Day Facts and Statistics
Here are the most fascinating bits of trivia to get you started.
- Dates vary: Mother’s Day changes dates every year. In the U.S., Australia, and Hong Kong, we celebrate on the second Sunday of May.
- Record spending: Americans are projected to spend a record $38 billion on Mother’s Day, an average of about $284 per shopper.
- Ancient roots: Ancient Greeks held festivals for Rhea, the goddess of fertility and “mother of the gods.”
- Official start: The first official American Mother’s Day service took place in 1908.
- Skip the eggs: Polls suggest very few mothers actually want breakfast in bed. Most prefer a meal out.
- Artistic flair: Moms receive millions of pieces of homemade art annually. It is a staple gift for younger children.
- Age is rising: The average age of American women giving birth has risen to 30 years old, the highest on record.
- Phone lines jam: Mother’s Day is historically one of the busiest days of the year for phone calls, as adult children reconnect with mom.
- Presidential seal: Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation making Mother’s Day a national holiday in 1914.
- Solo parenting: About one in four American moms is raising a child without a spouse or partner.
25 Fun Facts About Mother’s Day
These statistics and trivia tidbits will change how you look at the second Sunday in May.
1. History of Mother’s Day
Celebrations of motherhood date back to ancient Egypt. They held an annual festival for Isis, the goddess of fertility often depicted breastfeeding (1). It wasn’t just about brunch back then.
2. Day and Date
The date isn’t universal. The U.S., Australia, and Hong Kong celebrate on the second Sunday of May. However, Britain and Ireland celebrate “Mothering Sunday” on the fourth Sunday of Lent, usually three weeks before Easter.
3. Not Just Moms
People buy cards for everyone. The average consumer buys nearly three cards. They go to wives, daughters, aunts, and grandmothers (2). Grandmothers even get their own day in September, but they get plenty of love in May too.
4. A Day of Beauty
Spending on Mother’s Day gifts keeps setting records, with the National Retail Federation projecting a record $38 billion and an average of about $284 per shopper (3). A large chunk goes to personal services, making this the prime time to gift massages, manicures, and spa days.
5. Age of Motherhood
The average age of new moms keeps climbing. The CDC’s final 2023 data puts the mean age at first birth at 27.5, up from 26.6 in 2016, while the average age across all births now sits near 30, the highest on record (4). First births to moms aged 35 and older rose 25% over that stretch, as births to those under 20 fell.
6. Roman Festivals
Ancient Romans celebrated Hilaria, a spring festival honoring Cybele, a mother goddess. The event featured parades, games, and masquerades. It was quite the party compared to modern tea times.
7. Call Your Mother
The old advice holds true. Mother’s Day is historically one of the busiest phone-call days of the year, as adult children ring up moms across the country. Video calls and texts also hit record numbers annually.
8. Moms by the Numbers
There are approximately 2.2 billion mothers globally. In the U.S. alone, about 85 million women hold the title (5). Recent data shows that 86% of women aged 40 to 44 are mothers.
9. Civil War Origins
Ann Jarvis, an activist, organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day” in 1868. Her goal was to reunite families and neighbors divided by the Civil War. It was a call for peace and reconciliation (6).
10. The Founder
Ann’s daughter, Anna Jarvis, campaigned to make the day official. The first observance occurred on May 10, 1908, at a church in West Virginia. Ironically, Anna later fought against the commercialization of the holiday.
11. Bling for Mom
Jewelry is one of the biggest spending categories. About 45% of shoppers plan to buy jewelry for Mom, and by dollars spent it tops every other category at $7.5 billion (7).
12. Flower Power
Mother’s Day is the Super Bowl for florists. Flowers are the single most popular gift, bought by about 75% of shoppers, just ahead of greeting cards at 74%. People buy for multiple women (moms, grandmas, sisters), and roughly one-quarter of all holiday floral purchases happen for this day.
13. Proclamation for Peace
Julia Ward Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870. She wanted women to unite against war. She is also the famous author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (8).
14. Carnation Color Code
Anna Jarvis introduced carnations as the holiday’s symbol. Originally, a red carnation honored a living mother, while white honored one who had passed away. They remain a staple due to their longevity (9).
15. Signed into Law
Woodrow Wilson signed the measure in 1914 that designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Before that, the House of Representatives voted on a resolution in 1913 while wearing white carnations.
16. Linguistic Roots
The word “Mom” likely comes from “Mamma,” which traces back to baby talk. In many languages, the word for mother starts with the “m” sound because it is one of the first sounds babies can vocalize (10).
17. Dining Rush
Restaurants face their busiest shifts in May. Roughly 87 million adults dine out for Mother’s Day. Dinner is the most popular meal, closely followed by lunch and brunch (11). Reservations are practically mandatory.
18. Filling the Pews
Church attendance spikes significantly. It ranks as the third-highest day for attendance, trailing only Easter and Christmas. Families often attend service together before heading to lunch.
19. Myth of Breakfast in Bed
Movies make it look like every mom wants runny eggs in bed. In reality, polls suggest very few moms actually want this. It often results in crumbs in the sheets and a messy kitchen she has to clean later.
20. Dads Lag Behind
Spending discrepancies are real. Shoppers spend significantly more on Mother’s Day than Father’s Day. In recent years, the gap has been around $50 to $70 per person (12). Sorry, Dad.
21. The Six-Figure Job
If you paid a stay-at-home mom for her roles as chef, driver, nurse, and cleaner, she would earn a fortune. Salary.com estimates the value of a mother’s work is now over $184,000 annually.
22. Single Motherhood
Single moms carry a heavy load. About 24% of U.S. mothers are raising children solo. That means one in four moms is doing double the work and deserves double the appreciation.
23. Identity
Motherhood is central to identity. Over half of moms say being a parent is extremely important to who they are. This sentiment is consistent across Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers (13).
24. Picture Perfect
Moms get a lot of homemade art, but they really want photos. Many mothers report being the one taking the pictures, meaning they appear in fewer family photos. Frame a nice photo of her with the kids; she will love it.
25. Top Gift Categories
Flowers and cards are the standard, but the biggest dollars now flow elsewhere. By total spending, jewelry leads at $7.5 billion, followed by special outings at $6.4 billion and electronics at $4.4 billion, which are climbing fast. Experiences like concert tickets and travel are also becoming top-tier gifts as people put memories over stuff.
Mother’s Day in the U.S. vs. Worldwide
Traditions vary wildly across the globe. Here is a look at how different cultures honor Mom.
- Coupon books: In the U.S., kids often give handmade or pre-made coupon books. These promise chores like dishwashing or a quiet hour alone. It is a budget-friendly classic.
- Spa treatments: The gift of relaxation is universal. Adult children frequently book full spa days or massages to give their hardworking mothers a break from the daily grind.
- Mexican feasts: In Mexico, May 10 is a massive celebration regardless of the day of the week. Families gather for huge meals featuring mole and pozole. Mariachi bands often perform “Las Mañanitas” to wake moms up.
- Mothering Sunday: The UK celebrates on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Historically, people returned to their “mother church” (the main church in the area). Now, it looks much like the American version with cards and flowers.
- Polish flowers: In Poland, DzieÅ” Matki falls on May 26. Schools help children prepare “laurki,” which are handmade cards decorated with paper flowers. It is a cherished tradition (14).
- Medals in France: After WWI, the French government awarded medals to mothers of large families to encourage population growth. Today, the tradition has shifted to giving flower-shaped cakes.
- Tying the knot: In the former Yugoslavia, a playful tradition involved children tying their mother up. To be released, she had to “pay” them with sweets and treats.
- Dual celebration: Spain and Portugal celebrate on the first Sunday in May (Spain) or specifically honor the Virgin Mary alongside mothers on December 8 in some religious contexts.
- Japanese gifts: “Haha no Hi” is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Red carnations are the standard gift, symbolizing a mother’s gentle strength.
FAQs
How Does Mother’s Day Rank Among U.S. Holidays?
Mother’s Day ranks as the third most celebrated holiday in the United States, behind Thanksgiving and Christmas. Roughly 76% to 84% of Americans mark the day for mom each year, putting it just ahead of Veterans Day in participation.
How Much Money Is Spent on Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day spending is at record highs. The National Retail Federation projects a record $38 billion in total spending, with the average shopper planning to spend about $284 on gifts, meals, and outings. That tops the previous record of $35.7 billion set in 2023.
What Is the Most Popular Mother’s Day Gift?
Flowers are the most purchased Mother’s Day gift, bought by about 75% of shoppers, with greeting cards close behind. In terms of money spent, though, jewelry ($7.5 billion) and special outings like brunch or dinner top the list. Gift cards stay popular with moms who would rather pick their own treat.
What Flower Symbolizes Mother’s Day?
The carnation is the official Mother’s Day flower, chosen by founder Anna Jarvis because it was her own mother’s favorite. Pink carnations stand for gratitude and love, red signals admiration, and white is traditionally worn to honor a mother who has passed away.
Does Mother’s Day Count if You Are Pregnant?
Yes, expectant mothers absolutely count. Many families celebrate a mom-to-be to honor the journey into motherhood, and it is a good excuse to pamper a pregnant friend or partner before the baby arrives.
