30 Meaningful Mother's Day Ideas for 2026 (Gifts & Experiences)

By Jamie Nelson on Nov 27, 2025 in Collect Moments Not Things

You have Mother's Day 2026 to show her how much you appreciate her, not with another candle that will go to waste, but with something she will truly delight in. On May 10, 2026 (Mother’s Day) forget about the predictable and treat her to something she has never experienced before, something that will go to her soul. Is it an adventure, a seek-hoose-ho founder who requires excitement, a master-of-zan who wants to be spoiled, or is it a foodie who lives by what she is going to eat next? We have you covered.

 

Got a mother to please on this Mother's Day? Here are some fantastic things to do on Mother's Day that are meaningful, including adrenaline-inducing excursions and dreamily restorative getaways, which will have her saying, 'This was the best Mother's Day of her life!'

 

To Adventure-Seeking Mom

 

1. Fly Over the City in a Helicopter Tour

Get Mom a birds-eye view she will never forget. It can be the shimmering skyline of New York City at sunset, the beautiful coastline of Hawaii, or the dramatic Swiss Alps, and a helicopter flight is pure magic. The excitement of the takeoff, the stunning scenery, and the sensation of floating upon the earth, it is a trip that will make her speechless.

 

2. Fly Over Wine Country in a Floating Hot Air Balloon

Imagine this: it is early morning, and the vineyards roll endlessly down the hill, and Mom is floating relaxingly above it in a hot air balloon. The vineyards of Temecula or the gorgeous scenery in Palm Desert will be the ideal locations for such a romantic journey. It is romantic, peaceful, and completely Instagrammable.

 

3. Helicopter Flying Experience in Hawaii

For the mom who isn't afraid of heights, a doors-off helicopter sightseeing tour along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai or the dramatic coast of Oahu would be the ultimate adventure. Touch the wind, feel the falls, and take pictures to make everyone envious. It is an adventure at the very best.

 

For the Foodie Mom

 

1. Training in Italian Cooking in Rome

Spritz, anyone? Give Mom a Spritz and Spaghetti cooking class in Rome to teach her how to make authentic Italian cocktails and fresh pasta from scratch. It is tactile, tasty, and comes with laughter on top of it- and she gets to savor what she is making during a leisurely meal.

 

2. Cook Like a Greek in Mykonos

An example of this is learning ancient Greek recipes in a gorgeous Mykonian villa, walking around an organic vegetable garden, and savoring the results of the hard work. It is a cooking experience that transcends the food to encompass culture, bonding, and sheer happiness.

 

3. Attend a Course at The Chopping Block in Chicago

The Chopping Block offers cooking classes that are as entertaining as they are informative, featuring Steakhouse DIY and Old School Italian. Mom will be taught helpful tips that she can apply at home while enjoying wine (or a handcrafted mocktail) alongside the menu. Additionally, the culinary scene in Chicago is always exciting and never disappointing.

 

4. Book a Personal Chef for an Evening

Want to spoil Mom seriously? Have a personal chef come to your home and enjoy a three-course gourmet meal. There will be Chef Timothy in Denver, who will handle everything, including menu consultation, sourcing fresh local ingredients, cooking, serving, and even cleanup. All mom has to do is sit, relax, and enjoy restaurant-quality dining in the comfort of her own home.

 

The Relaxation-Craving Mom

 

1. Give Her a Couples Massage in Paradise

A Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage is like nothing, like a stress reliever. Imagine Mom (and perhaps you) in Kauai or Honolulu getting the time-tested methods of loving hands massage. Hot rocks, fragrances, and pure island serenity? Yes, please.

 

2. Have a Garden Spa Getaway in Hawaii

Lokahi Garden Sanctuary offers a plant-enhanced spa experience that Lokahi offers cannot be found anywhere. Mom will be able to enjoy a massage with garden-fresh scrubs and oils, savor a refreshing cup of coconut water, and spend time wandering through serene gardens thereafter. It gives a body and soul healing.

 

3. Reserve a Couples Luxury Massage in Honolulu

The package is a 90-minute spa treatment that includes a full-body massage, a hot stone massage, facial exfoliation, and foot reflexology. It is the ideal combination of therapy and Hawaiian laid-back relaxation —the perfect choice for moms who need the royal treatment.

 

4. Take Her on a Brunch Cruise

There is no better way of saying I love you, Mom than bottomless mimosas and picturesque water views. It can be an architectural brunch cruise along the Chicago River, a sightseeing tour of the Boston Harbor, or a stately cruise along the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Mom will fall in love with the equal portions of good food, live music, and beautiful scenery.

 

For the Creative Mom

1. Paint and Sip Together

Take advantage of Mom's artistic nature by enrolling in a painting lesson that includes a wine and chocolate tasting. Whether it's a painting session on a canvas in Albuquerque or a ceramic session in Santa Fe, she will create something beautiful, and at the same time, enjoy award-winning local dishes.

 

2. Try a Pottery Workshop

Allow Mom to get her hands dirty (best of all) with a pottery course. She will be taught to mold, shape, and glaze her own ceramic figures- something special that she created on her own and can keep throughout her lifetime.

 

3. Join a Wine and Paint Event

These are fun, social events that combine painting with creativity and relaxation. Mom will be able to enjoy a glass of wine, listen to the instructor, and create her personal masterpiece. It is easy-going, fun, and ideal among mothers who enjoy experimenting.

 

To the Mom Who Loves a Good View

 

1. Sunset Dinner Cruise

See the sun set behind the horizon and have a fine meal on the water. It can be Long Beach, Marina del Rey, or Philadelphia; dinner cruises are the best place to combine quality meals, live shows, and amazing sights.

 

2. Take Her on an Architectural Tour of Chicago

Architecture enthusiasts will enjoy a guided tour along the Chicago River, showcasing the city's outstanding skyline and rich history. You can also include brunch or lunch in the experience, making it a perfect outing on Mother's Day.

 

3. Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

Afternoon tea on a London cruise is the best way to show some sophistication. Light pastry, daintily brewed tea, and classic scenery across the Thames- it is classy, exclusive, and entirely unforgettable.

 

To the Mom Who Needs Quality Time

 

1. Day out at Mystery Picnic

In certain situations, nothing can beat time together as a present. Prepare a fancy picnic, go to a beautiful place, and spend time together without any distractions. It is straightforward, sincere, and one of the easiest things to do on Mother's Day.

 

2. Go on a Food Tour Together

Discover the cuisine of your city on a food tour. It can be sampling new seafood at Pike Place Market, finding treasures in Beverly Hills, or strolling through Boston neighborhoods; food tours are a tasty bonding activity.

 

3. Eat New Traditions through Cooking Classes

Share a classy experience with Pasta-making and sushi-rolling. This side-by-side cooking is a beautiful experience of spending a good time and learning at the same time.

 

Stuff to Do For Mother's Day at Home

Not all moms wish to go out, and it is alright! The following are activities that can be done on other days that would make the celebration closer to home:

 

1. Host a DIY Spa Day

Turn your home into a spa resort. Install facial bars using natural products, play soft music, light candles, and make Mom feel as if she's not leaving the house, spending money, and time. It is one of the perfect activities to do for Mother's Day. 

 

2. Have a Themed Dinner Night

Select her favourite food, and not content with it, but dress it up, music, decorations, even costumes. Italian, Mexican, or Japanese - it is like taking a vacation to yourself just by being immersed in the culture, and you feel like you are on vacation.

 

3. Develop a Mother-Child Book Club

Begin a ritual of reading one book and talking it over over tea or coffee. It is personal, touching, and provides you with something special to look forward to month after month.

 

4. Host Family Cooking Competition

Be your own MasterChef and cook off among your friends, depending on your mom's favorite cuisine. Allow her to judge (she deserves the throne) and make it as entertaining as you may wish.

 

5. Arrange a Movie Marathon

Prepare a comfortable watching space by placing blankets, pillows, and any other of her favorite snacks. Allow Mom to decide the list, whether it's rom-coms, classics, or even guilty pleasure reality programs, and have fun together.

 

Uncommon Mother's Day experiences.

1. Gift Her Event Tickets

Does Mom like sports, concerts, or theatre? Give her the gift of taking her to watch her sporting team play, a Broadway performance, or a live performance. It is something that she can anticipate weeks or even months in advance.

2. Reserve a Wine Tasting with Scenic

Go wine-tasting in Napa Valley, Sonoma, or in the local vineyards with Mom. She will know the various varietals, enjoy beautiful views, and savor excellent wines - it is classy relaxation at its finest.

 

3. Plan a Weekend Getaway

Sometimes, my mom just needs to get away. Reserve a small inn in New England, a beachside hotel, or a small bed and breakfast. The presence of relaxation, scenic views, and the absence of any obligations is invaluable.

 

4. Fool Her with a Secret Adventure

Arrange a day when everything is unexpected. Keep the itinerary confidential and disclose the experiences one at a time. Surprise is an additional element that makes the story's situation exciting and makes Mom feel like the protagonist of her own adventure movie.

 

5. Present her Gift Cards

Can't decide? A Spur Experiences gift card allows Mom to select what she wants. She can choose the best experience at her own convenience, whether she wants to have adventure or rest, or both.

 

Why Experiences Outweigh Traditional Gifts?

Mom likely has more than enough jewelry, scarves, and picture frames for a lifetime. What she actually desires are memories - things that will get her to laugh, relax, or challenge her comfort zone in the most positive manner imaginable.

 

Memories form an impression. They provide you with the anecdotes to tell, jokes to share, and pictures that, in fact, are the epitome of true happiness. These are the moments that count, whether you are flying high above a metropolis in a helicopter, making pasta out of nothing in a restaurant in Rome, or just savoring the soothing atmosphere with this list of stuff to do for Mother's Day. 

 

This Mother's Day is going to be really Special.

 

Memory is something that lasts forever and is something you give to your mom on this Mother's Day. It could be the adrenaline rush of flying on a helicopter, the nirvana of a spa getaway, the delight of mastering a new ability, or it could be the straightforward enjoyment of her just being together., Spur Experiences has a way to get the right balance of celebrating her.

 

She may have more than 4,000 experiences available to her, many of which are right at home or worldwide escapes, and one will surely fit her personality. And since Spur vouchers never expire, she can make a reservation at her convenience and enjoy the experience at her leisure.

Don't get some of the generic gifts this year. Give Mom the memories of making, adventure, relaxation, and happiness. Get her a present she will never forget, one that will last long after Mother's Day 2026 is a distant memory.