Over the years, my husband has developed a…formula, if you will, for celebrating Mother’s Day that knocks my socks off. It’s meaningful, affordable, and starts the day off with the rosiest of glows so that it really doesn’t matter what else we do. We tend to do this instead of traditional gifts, per se. (If we did gifts, then hypothetically I’d want one of these. Mike.) Or honestly anything from our Mother’s Day gift ideas..)

But our usual Mother’s Day morning is simple, really. Simple and genius, and based on breakfast in bed. The crucial components are:

1. Coffee (duh)
2. Something special to eat – This could be chocolate croissants fresh from the oven (Trader Joes’ makes some yummy ones, but my favorites are from Williams-Sonoma), fancy little baked goods from the French bakery, a box of chocolates (or even a chocolate bar that functions like a box of chocolates), a gorgeous quiche — the goal is to treat Mama to something that’s out of the ordinary.
3. Art (done by the kids, obviously)
4. Flowers (or a plant)
5. Something FANCY – This is the big one. A pretty tray, a cool new mug, special cloth napkins…these go a long way to making an epic Mother’s Day morning. One year they even surprised me with a new picnic basket, filled with fresh croissants, strawberries, and a pretty new tablecloth that we promptly spread out on the bed. Or heck — even a group of balloons would work! The point is this: BRING THE PARTY.

We first published this formula in 2017, when my oldest was nine. He’s eighteen now, and this formula has worked every single year. It’s never not worked!! And that’s kinda the whole point – once your family has the playbook down, Mother’s Day morning just…happens.

Looking for more Mother’s Day ideas? Browse our full Mother’s Day gift guide — curated picks, persona-by-persona shopping help, and our latest small-batch favorites.

Breakfast In Bed (It’s less about the food and more about the moment)

Mike now has Mother’s Day down-pat, but notice that my oldest is NINE. (*Now…EIGHTEEN.) There’s nothing wrong with giving a little…nudge in the right direction. I’m a firm believer in crystal-clear communication. (Send your partner this post, haha. No but I’m actually serious.)

The real magic of this formula is that it works whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, whether you’re spending $20 or $200, and whether you live in a house with a big kitchen or a studio apartment with a hot plate. It’s not about the food!! It’s about the tray arriving and the little details that say: we thought about you – in advance!! We made this for you.

Sidenote: Mike and the boys, have, some years, whipped this formula up last minute, day-of. But it’s always better with a little more prep. 😉

1. Set The Stage.

Think: Beach blankets as tablecloths, picnic baskets, trays – find something to delineate the special Mother’s Day ZONE. Throwing down a pretty new picnic blanket or beach-ready turkish towel (in oyster + lemon print, maybe??) also helps protect the bedspread, too. This year I have my eye on these gorgeous stretch towels in either glam polka dot or this seriously fun stripe. They’re thick, soft, and stay put when wrapped around your body.

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2. The Little Upgrades That Make Breakfast-In-Bed Feel Like An Event

A special coffee mug (or a cool travel one if you’re worried about spills), pretty napkins (these affordable linen ones are my favs for everyday, but these wow napkins are what we use to make anything feel like a party), a special coffee spoon, cute vases for flowers or succulents, a fun frame for your kiddo’s art, and a gorgeous plate (or cutting board) to hold the goodies – these are all easy ways to add a little pizazz. I also highly recommend these authentic French tea towels. This brand has been in business since 1833(!!) and their kitchen towels are a major upgrade. I’ve been using mine for years, and they’re both indestructible and beautiful (‘chachacha’ and ‘air mail’ are my favorites, haha).

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3. Treat Yourself To The Pajamas (In Advance!!)

We’ve been working hard all year. Nothing wrong with splurging on a cozy little something before the big day. My top picks are virtually any of these gorgeous PJs from local designer, Printfresh, or any of the silk pajamas from Lunya. Both are gorgeous and a a joy to wear.

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4. More Mother’s Day Gift Ideas From Us At The Mom Edit

If you’re looking to shop actual Mother’s Day gifts to slip onto that tray, or just want to do a little fun browsing, we’ve got you:

• All Our Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, In One Place – Every roundup, every perspective, every pick. Start here if you’re still figuring out where to begin.
• Browse Our Curated Mother’s Day Gift Shop – Small-batch, cool-girl picks from designers we love. Not a “World’s Best Mom” mug in sight.
• Peep my top picks for Mother’s Day gifts
• Scotti’s top picks for Mother’s Day

High-five, Mamas. Here’s to us.

xo,
S

Photo credits: Redfield Photography