What Day Is Mother’s Day, Why It’s Celebrated, and How It All Started
Mother’s Day is one of those holidays that feels universal, yet deeply personal at the same time. Whether you’re shopping for your mom, a grandma, a mother-in-law, or a woman who’s loved you like a mom, the heart of the day is always the same: appreciation, love, and connection.
As someone who runs a gifting business inspired by my own mother, I see firsthand every year how meaningful this holiday is — and how much pressure people sometimes put on themselves to “get it right.” Let’s break down when Mother’s Day is, where it came from, and why it still matters today.
What Day Is Mother’s Day?
In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May every year. Because it’s tied to the calendar rather than a fixed date, the exact day changes annually. Many other countries celebrate Mother’s Day on different dates, but in the U.S., May has become synonymous with honoring moms and mother figures of all kinds.
From my experience as a small business owner, that second Sunday in May is one of the biggest gifting moments of the year — especially for personalized and kid-involved gifts.
Why Is Mother’s Day Celebrated?
At its core, Mother’s Day exists to recognize the love, care, emotional labor, and sacrifices that mothers and mother figures show every day. But in reality, it’s also a chance to slow down and say something we don’t always say enough: thank you.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that people often overthink Mother’s Day. There’s pressure to find the “perfect” gift, write the perfect card, or plan the perfect day. In truth, most moms don’t want perfection — they want thoughtfulness. A gift that shows you know them will always mean more than something expensive or flashy.
It’s also a day that shouldn’t be limited to just biological moms. Grandmothers, stepmoms, chosen moms, mother-in-laws, and women who have shown up in nurturing, supportive ways all deserve to be celebrated too. Some of the most meaningful Mother’s Day gifts I’ve created have been for moms who hate flowers, moms who love to laugh, and grandmas with names you won’t find on a mug anywhere else.
How Did Mother’s Day Start?
Mother’s Day as we know it began in the early 1900s thanks to Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis. Ann had spent her life caring for others and organizing women to support families and communities. After her death, Anna campaigned for a national holiday dedicated to mothers.
In 1914, Mother’s Day was officially recognized in the United States. Ironically, Anna Jarvis later became frustrated with how commercialized the holiday became — a reminder that the intention behind Mother’s Day has always been about sincerity, not spending.
That original intention is something I try to keep front and center in my own business.
Mother’s Day Through My Lens
My own mother inspired me to start my business. I lost her a few years ago to Alzheimer’s, and Mother’s Day now carries a different kind of meaning for me. It’s a reminder to celebrate while you can, to hold onto memories, and to appreciate the people who show up as mothers in our lives in all kinds of ways.
Today, I’m incredibly grateful to celebrate with my amazing mother-in-law, and I see Mother’s Day as a chance to honor love in all its forms — past and present.
What I’ve Learned From Creating Mother’s Day Gifts
Over the years, I’ve created countless custom candles for Mother’s Day, and a few patterns always stand out:
• Gifts “from kids” are incredibly popular, especially when kids can be involved in creating them.
• Grandmothers’ gifts are often the most personalized — because kids call their grandmas everything from Nana and Gigi to names that are completely one-of-a-kind.
• The most cherished gifts aren’t perfect; they’re personal.
One of the most loved Mother’s Day products in my shop is our Color Your Own Mother’s Day Candle, where kids color and draw directly on the label that gets placed on the candle. Parents often tell me it becomes less about the candle itself and more about the moment — sitting at the table, coloring together, and creating something that’s truly theirs.
You can see that candle here if you’re curious:
Color Your Own Mother's Day Candle
A Gentler Way to Think About Mother’s Day
If there’s one thing I’d encourage people to remember, it’s this: Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. A handwritten note, a child’s drawing, a personalized gift, or even just time together can mean everything.
It’s also okay to expand the definition of who you celebrate. Mother’s Day can honor moms, grandmas, mother figures, and women who’ve supported you in ways that changed your life.
That’s what the day was always meant to be about — love, appreciation, and connection — and that’s what makes it worth celebrating, year after year.