ways to connect this mother’s day
Before you book a brunch or panic-buy a bouquet, take a beat. Mother’s Day isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection. And that connection can feel so much deeper when you tailor it to how one best receives love.
Whether your mom lights up with heartfelt words or loves a cozy day together, The Five Love Languages (originally coined by Dr. Gary Chapman) offer a thoughtful guide to making her feel truly seen and celebrated.
✨ Here’s your cheat sheet to planning a Mother’s Day that speaks her language — plus some long-distance love ideas and creative combos that hit all the right notes.
Now, if you’re reading this as a mom that would love all of this — pass it to the person that NEEDS to read this.
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💌 Words of Affirmation
For the mom who treasures heartfelt words over fancy plans.
“Letters Through the Years” Timeline
Write a series of mini letters — one for each stage of your relationship (childhood, teen years, adulthood). Package them in a pretty box or accordion-style booklet.
Gratitude Bloom
Write one thing you’re thankful for on each petal of a paper flower bouquet. Perfect for little hands to help with, too.
Storytime Compliments
Record a short “audiobook” where you narrate a favorite memory and how it shaped your bond. Add light background music for effect.
Mirror Notes Makeover
Sneak sticky notes with kind words and affirmations onto her bathroom mirror — bonus points if they’re hilariously specific.
Compliment Chain Text
Get your family or siblings involved in a group chat. Everyone drops one compliment every hour for a full day of feel-goods.
Video Tribute
Compile short clips from family and friends sharing what makes her special.
💭 Gift ideas: I’m a sucker for a cute stationary kit or even a notebook set. If you’re tackling #4: Mirror Notes Makeover, these heart sticky notes are perfect!
⏳ Quality Time
For the mom who just wants to be with you which means no distractions and no rushing.
"Morning Slow-Down" Ritual
Start the day with coffee in bed and read excerpts from a favorite book or journal together.
DIY Paint & Sip Night
Bring the wine and watercolors. Follow a YouTube tutorial or freestyle it and giggle through the chaos.
Mom & Me Book Club
Choose a short book or essay, read it separately, then chat about it over snacks — deep or hilarious convos guaranteed.
"Unplugged Adventure" Jar
Fill a jar with low-key activities (walk and talk, picnic, old photo album dive). Let her pick one to do together.
New Tradition Starter
Do something completely new — like baking a new recipe together every Mother’s Day — so it becomes your “thing.”
Memory Lane Day
Visit places meaningful to your relationship - her favorite park, restaurant, or childhood neighborhood
💞 Gift ideas: If you’re going on a picnic, you need a nice blanket. Honestly, I love to keep one in my trunk in case of emergency picnics. If you’re feeling a bit more spontaneous, dive into the Adventure Challenge book as a family. Trying out #2: DIY Paint & Sip night, this kit for two is all you need (plus the bevvies).
🧺 Acts of Service
For the mom who melts when someone takes things off her plate.
Beauty of a Clean Car
Surprise her with a car wash + detailing. Leave a little treat in the glovebox.
Calendar Cleanup
Sit down and help her declutter her digital calendar, unsubscribe from unnecessary emails, and organize appointments.
Fridge Restock & Refresh
Grocery shop, wipe down, and stock her fridge with healthy favorites and a few indulgent surprises.
"Mom-ager Support Squad"
Organize her closet, style a few outfits, and take pictures for easy reference (especially helpful for grandmas!).
Chore-Free Coupon Book
A sweet and silly gift—create printable or handmade coupons for chores or errands she can “redeem” throughout the year.
Skill Exchange
Offer a digital service—redesign her resume, create a family recipe book in Canva, or digitize old family photos.
🤝🏼 Gift Ideas: Organizing photos can be so daunting, this system makes it easier especially with a handy label maker to mark the months/years/events on each box. If you’re looking for something a bit more polished, this photo album is timeless.
🤗 Physical Touch
For the mom who feels most connected through hugs, closeness, and gentle care.
Couch Cuddle + Movie Marathon
Load up her favorite flicks, bring snacks and fuzzy socks, and just be present with her.
Massage Bar Setup
Bring essential oils, a warmed towel, and learn a few basic massage strokes to give her an at-home shoulder rub.
DIY Aromatherapy Pillow
Make small heatable pillows filled with lavender and rice—perfect for comforting sore muscles or cozy moments.
“Mother’s Day Tango” Playlist
Create a playlist and dance in the living room, slow or silly. A perfect release for empty nesters and toddlers alike.
Cooking With Love
Choose a tactile recipe like dumplings, bread, or empanadas—things that need your hands and time.
Do a Little Shimmy
Take a class together in ballroom, salsa, or another style she enjoys. A bit last minute or too shy? Try a YouTube dance lesson in the comfort of your own living room.
🥰 Gift Ideas: Make it a full home spa experience with the perfect all-in-one bathtub tray. Don’t forget the masks!
🎁 Receiving Gifts
For the mom who feels loved through thoughtful giving.
Custom Puzzle from a Photo
Choose a meaningful photo and turn it into a puzzle you can build together (Etsy has some great options).
Book Subscription Box
From Book of the Month to indie picks, get her a monthly literary escape delivered right to her door.
Sentimental Candle
Choose one with a scent name like “Smells Like Mom’s Hug” or “Sundays With You.” Add a custom label.
Plant a Tree in Her Name
Gift a living legacy that blooms or helps restore a forest.
"Mom's Memory Box" Kit
Gift a decorative box with prompts and space to fill in memories, photos, and mementos together.
Little Bit of Everything Subscription
Sign her up for various classes (via ClassPass) or if you know she loves something — invest in an ongoing subscription for her.
🎁 Gift Ideas: I’m a bit biased here because this is one of my top love languages to both give and receive. The key to this one is that it’s personalized to the person to feel extra special. If you’re stuck, you can’t go wrong with a ClassPass subscription. This way they can pick exactly what they want to do PLUS it takes the pressure off of you (a win win).
Creating an extra personalized blind book date series for your mom if she’s a reader would be the cutest!
🌍 Long-Distance Celebrations
Because love has no zip code.
Mother’s Day Morning Delivery
Send her favorite coffee or breakfast via UberEats or a local café—schedule it to arrive with a sweet note.
Story Swap on Zoom
Schedule a virtual tea time where each of you brings a favorite story or memory to share.
Digital Memory Lane
Use Google Earth to “visit” places from her past together while reminiscing via video call.
Surprise Video Guests
Invite surprise guests (siblings, old friends, cousins) to pop into your virtual celebration throughout the day.
Shared Playlist and Photo Slideshow
Make a Spotify playlist of her favorite songs and pair it with a shared slideshow of your best moments.
🗺️ Gift Ideas: In case there is no virtual way to connect, perhaps now is the time to invest in a webcam to easily get in touch from afar. Or even better, for your mom to constantly have your faces on rotation — get her a digital photo frame.
💡 Personalized Combinations (Love Language Mash-Ups!)
Sometimes the best moments hit more than one love language. Here are a few mix-and-match ideas:
Spa Day + Affirmations
(Acts of Service + Words of Affirmation + Physical Touch)
Prepare an at-home spa day, complete with a calming playlist, handwritten affirmation cards, and a warm foot soak.Cooking Together + Custom Playlist
(Quality Time + Physical Touch + Receiving Gifts)
Pick a family recipe, create a playlist that sparks nostalgia, and end with a little gift like a printed recipe card set.Memory Book Build Together
(Receiving Gifts + Quality Time + Acts of Service)
Print out photos and assemble a scrapbook or photo book with her. Do the cutting, gluing, and organizing while she enjoys the trip down memory lane.Virtual Toast + Letter Reading
(Long-Distance + Words of Affirmation + Quality Time)
Email or snail-mail her a handwritten letter to open during a scheduled Zoom toast with drinks in hand.Garden Kit + Workday Off
(Receiving Gifts + Acts of Service + Quality Time)
Gift her a new plant or herb kit, then spend the day helping her set it up and relax while you handle her errands or chores.
Reminder for you mom’s out there, you don’t have to plan any of this nor should you feel the pressure to. Be sure to pass this along to the person that needs these ideas. ‘
꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜ ꩜
💭 Remember: Love doesn’t have to be loud to be felt. Small moments, when done intentionally, are sometimes the loudest ways to say “I love you.”
Which love language feels most like your mom’s? Or yours? Comment below and tell me what you're planning — I’d love to hear. 💐
Cheers,
Ari
Your fellow mom who gets it
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