Mother’s Day isn’t simply about honoring our own mothers or mother figures in our lives, but honoring all mothers. A simple smile or a compliment can go a long way with someone who is having a rough day. If you’re looking for new ideas to spread some joy for all the mothers you come across—on Mother’s Day or on any old day—I’ve compiled a list of 50 easy ways to spread joy and make a mom feel special, whether it’s a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger:
- Hold the door open for someone who is pushing a stroller or whose hands are full.
- Help a mom put groceries into the trunk of her car (obviously, ask before you start grabbing her stuff!).
- Let a mom with kids go ahead of you at the store.
- In line in front of a mom and her kids at Starbucks? Buy coffee for her.
- Watch a friend’s kids for an afternoon.
- Give a hard-working mom you know a gift certificate for a pedicure and a pair of new soft, comfy slippers.
- Make a home-cooked meal for a neighbor (just make a double batch of whatever you’re cooking).
- Send hilarious Mother’s Day e-cards to all the hardworking moms you know.
- Write and mail a letter to a mom that lives close to you (who wouldn’t expect written mail from you).
- Donate gently used clothes, jewelry, bedding, blankets, or towels to a women’s shelter.
- Leave a sticky note with some words of encouragement or a funny joke on a neighbor’s door.
- Send a bouquet, cookies, or candy to someone.
- Compliment a mom on the street. Who doesn’t love compliments?
- Put together a “new mom kit” for someone’s first Mother’s Day as a mom. Items can include diapers, onesies, teething toys, and something for Mom like a personalized necklace or a gift card to a local restaurant.
- Lend some parenting books or magazines to a new mom.
- Buy a box of chocolate truffles and pass them out in the carpool line while waiting for school to let out.
- Tell someone they are doing a great job as a mom.
- Make a mix CD (remember CDs???) of non-kid music (like your/her favorite music from college) for your mom friends.
- Send flowers or stop by a friend’s work with a small gift.
- Donate to a charity in a friend’s name.
- Send a purely emoji text message. (Don’t forget to include some hearts and the flower bouquet!)
- If someone asks for prayers, pray for them, even if you don’t share the same beliefs.
- Share a hug with someone who really needs it.
- Bake cookies and pass them out to the moms at daycare or school.
- Offer to pay to fill up a mom’s gas tank or even pump it for her.
- Leave a bottle of wine and a note on someone’s porch.
- Buy a gift card at a restaurant and give it to a family who is just coming into the restaurant.
- If you run into a mom you haven’t seen in a while, take a couple minutes to ask how the kids are doing and what their interests are, and ask to see pictures.
- Arrange a house cleaning service for a busy mom.
- If you’re on public transportation or in a busy waiting room, offer up your seat to a mom.
- Send a funny joke or meme in an email to all the moms you know. (Don’t forget to use BCC so you’re not giving out everyone’s email addresses.)
- Send a compliment to your mom friends via Facebook Messenger.
- If it’s raining, offer to share an umbrella with a mom in need.
- Don’t forget grandmothers on Mother’s Day! Send flowers to your own grandmother and cards to any of your friends who are grandmothers.
- If you have taken pictures of someone else’s kids, perhaps from a birthday party or a school event, have a picture framed and give it to their mom.
- Offer to go grocery shopping for a neighbor.
- If you have fruit trees or grow vegetables, share your bounty with neighbors.
- If you’re in a position to help, offer to do a load of laundry for a friend who doesn’t own a machine.
- Host a “mom’s night out” party, complete with movies, snacks, facial masks, and no kids!
- Treat a tired mom to a spa day.
- If you know someone has a hobby they don’t get to spend much time on—knitting, scrapbooking, gardening—pick up some supplies for them as a surprise.
- Pay for someone’s meter.
- Bring extra bottles of water for the moms sitting in the sun at school sporting events.
- If you’re out at a busy restaurant or amusement park, leave a couple (clean) diapers on the changing table in the restroom. You never know; you may end up helping someone who is really in need!
- Send a care package to a mom friend who has moved far away. Send a couple small things that will remind her of your friendship and of the place they used to live.
- Sweep the leaves off someone’s driveway or sidewalk.
- Take your favorite mom-friend’s car to get washed, vacuumed, and get the gas topped off.
- Share a smile with every mom you pass on the street.
- Send a hilarious YouTube video to a mom you know.
- Simply ask a friend what she needs help with. Maybe she just needs to know someone is there for her.
Got a simple but brilliant way to make a mom smile? Leave your idea in the comments below!
image: Getty / Brigitte Sporrer
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