Mother’s Day 2027 falls on Sunday, May 9, 2027 — the second Sunday in May, as it has been every year since President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it in 1914. It is the one day of the year set aside in the United States to honour mothers, grandmothers and mother figures, and it is also one of the biggest days on the American calendar: the busiest restaurant day of the year, the biggest phone-call day of the year, and a record $38 billion in spending in 2026. This guide has the exact date, a live countdown, the remarkable story of how one daughter’s memorial service became a national holiday, the traditions that still shape the day, gift ideas for 2027, and what is open and closed.
⏳ Countdown to Mother’s Day 2027
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until Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 12:00 AM Eastern Time
When Is Mother's Day 2027?
Mother's Day 2027 is on Sunday, May 9, 2027. In the United States it always falls on the second Sunday in May — the date is written into federal law at 36 U.S.C. 117, which says simply: "The second Sunday in May is Mother's Day." Because the rule names a weekday rather than a calendar date, the day itself shifts between May 8 and May 14 from year to year. In 2027 it lands early in that range, on May 9 — one day earlier than in 2026, when it fell on May 10.
How Many Days Until Mother's Day 2027?
The live countdown above ticks down to midnight at the start of Sunday, May 9, 2027, Eastern Time — the moment Mother's Day 2027 begins in the United States. At the time this article was published (November 9, 2026), there were 181 days remaining until Mother's Day 2027. If you are planning flowers, a restaurant booking or a gift that needs shipping, that is your real deadline: florists and restaurants fill up fast in the final week, and Mother's Day is the busiest restaurant day of the entire year, so the countdown is worth watching.
| Year | Mother's Day date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 11 | Sunday |
| 2026 | May 10 | Sunday |
| 2027 | May 9 | Sunday |
| 2028 | May 14 | Sunday |
| 2029 | May 13 | Sunday |
| 2030 | May 12 | Sunday |
What Is Mother's Day?
Mother's Day is the annual American holiday that honours mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds — the work mothers do for their families and for society. Unlike birthdays, it is not about one person: it is a shared day for every mother, grandmother, stepmother, foster mother and mother figure. Cards, flowers, phone calls, brunches and family gatherings are the usual shape of the day, but at its root it began as something quieter — a daughter's memorial for her own mother.
It is worth knowing what the day is not: Mother's Day is not a federal holiday. There is no day off work — including for working mothers — and no federal closure. It is a national observance by presidential proclamation, which is why shops and restaurants stay open — and why restaurants are packed.
The Story Behind Mother's Day: How Anna Jarvis Created It
Modern Mother's Day in the United States was created by one woman, Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia — and she spent the second half of her life regretting what it became.
Her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, had organised Mothers' Day Work Clubs during the Civil War, caring for sick and wounded soldiers from both sides and working to improve sanitation in military camps. When Ann died on May 9, 1905, Anna set out to create a national day honouring mothers in her memory. On May 10, 1908, the first observances were held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia — the church where her mother had taught Sunday school for more than twenty years — and at the same time in Philadelphia. Anna sent 500 white carnations, her mother's favourite flower, to the Grafton service, to be given to every mother in the congregation. That single gesture made the carnation the flower of the day.
The campaign moved fast. By 1911, every US state observed Mother's Day in some form. In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases "Mother's Day" and "Second Sunday in May". On May 8, 1914, Congress passed a joint resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, and on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first national proclamation. The first national Mother's Day was Sunday, May 10, 1914.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1868 | Ann Reeves Jarvis organises Mothers' Day Work Clubs to care for Civil War soldiers and improve camp sanitation |
| May 9, 1905 | Ann Reeves Jarvis dies; her daughter Anna begins campaigning for a mothers' day |
| May 10, 1908 | First Mother's Day services in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia; 500 white carnations sent to Grafton |
| 1911 | All US states observe Mother's Day in some form |
| 1912 | Anna Jarvis trademarks "Mother's Day" |
| May 8, 1914 | Congress designates the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day |
| May 9, 1914 | President Woodrow Wilson issues the first national proclamation |
| 1920s–1940s | Jarvis fights the holiday's commercialisation — florists, card companies and candy makers — and is arrested at an American War Mothers meeting |
| 1948 | Anna Jarvis dies in West Chester, Pennsylvania, having spent much of her inheritance fighting the holiday she created |
The twist in the story is the part most people never hear. Within a few years of her victory, Jarvis watched her day become a trading season. She criticised florists for raising carnation prices before the holiday, rejected greeting cards as against the spirit of the day, and spent decades — and most of her inheritance — trying to have the holiday removed from the calendar. She was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a meeting of the American War Mothers where carnations were being sold for the holiday. She died in 1948, still fighting it. The woman who gave America Mother's Day never wanted it to become a shopping event — which makes the simplest tributes, a letter in your own words or a visit, the ones closest to what she intended.
Why Carnations? The Flower of Mother's Day
The carnation is the official flower of Mother's Day, and it comes straight from that first service in 1908: white carnations were Ann Reeves Jarvis's favourite flower, and Anna chose them deliberately. She later explained the choice in words that are still quoted: "Its whiteness is to symbolize the truth, purity and broad-charity of mother love; its fragrance, her memory, and her prayers. The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying."
The colour you choose still carries a meaning that grew out of that first day:
- White carnation — worn or given in memory of a mother who has died.
- Red carnation — deep love and admiration for a mother who is alive.
- Pink carnation — a mother's love that never ends; the colour most people buy.
That is why florists still sell more carnations around Mother's Day than at any other time of year — even though roses and peonies have joined them as popular choices. If you are buying flowers for Mother's Day 2027, a pink carnation in the bouquet is the nod to the day's origin.
How Americans Celebrate Mother's Day in 2027
Mother's Day is the third most popular American holiday, and Americans celebrate it at remarkable scale. The National Retail Federation's annual survey with Prosper Insights & Analytics found spending hit a record $38 billion in 2026, with the average celebrator spending a record $284.25 — up from $34.1 billion and $259.04 in 2025, and above the previous record of $35.7 billion set in 2023. About 84% of American adults celebrate the day. It also outpaces Valentine's Day 2027, the other big gift-giving day in the spring calendar.
| What Americans buy | Share of shoppers (2025) | Total spending (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Flowers | 74% | $3.2 billion |
| Greeting cards | 73% | $1.1 billion |
| Special outings (dinner or brunch) | 61% | $6.3 billion |
| Jewellery | — | $6.8 billion |
| Gift cards | — | $3.5 billion |
Three habits define the day in the United States:
- Flowers first. Flowers are the most commonly bought Mother's Day gift — about three in four shoppers buy them — and Mother's Day accounts for about a quarter of all holiday purchases at flower shops. For florists it is one of the three biggest holidays of the year.
- Dinner out. More than a third of American adults go out for a meal, making Mother's Day the busiest restaurant day of the year. Book a table early — the best brunch spots are gone weeks ahead.
- The phone call. More phone calls are made on Mother's Day than on any other day of the year. If distance keeps you apart, the call itself is the tradition.
Mother's Day Gift Ideas for 2027
Gift-giving is where most of the $38 billion goes, and the pattern barely changes year to year: flowers, a card, a meal together, jewellery, or a gift card. What has changed is the shape of the gift — the NRF found nearly half of shoppers now want a unique gift, and more than four in ten want a gift that creates a special memory. Use the bands below as a starting point, and match the gift to what your mom actually values rather than to the price tag:
- Under $25: a handwritten card or letter, a single-stem pink carnation or small bouquet, her favourite chocolates, a framed photo.
- $25–$75: a full florist bouquet, a brunch or dinner out together, a scented candle and bath set, a book by her favourite author.
- $75–$200: jewellery, a spa treatment or massage, a quality handbag or scarf, tickets to a show or concert together.
- $200 and up: a weekend trip together, a piece of fine jewellery, a premium experience day — the kind of gift that becomes a memory.
- Costs nothing: cook her favourite meal, spend the day together, write her a letter in your own words. Anna Jarvis would have approved — it is the closest thing to the original day.
A dedicated Mother's Day gift guide and a wishes and messages collection for 2027 will follow on this site — the gift ideas above are the shortlist; the full guides will go deeper by recipient and budget.
Is Mother's Day a Federal Holiday? What Is Open and Closed
No — Mother's Day is not a federal holiday. It is a national observance by presidential proclamation, so there is no day off work and no federal closure. In practice, that changes very little for how the day runs, because it always falls on a Sunday:
- Shops and malls: open, on normal Sunday hours — and busy. Flower shops, gift shops and card shops are at their peak.
- Restaurants: open, and the busiest day of the year. Reserve ahead; walk-ins face long waits.
- Banks and post offices: closed or on normal Sunday hours, as on any Sunday. Mail is not delivered on Sundays.
- Schools and government offices: closed, as on any Sunday.
- Churches: open, with many holding special Mother's Day services — the day began in a church service, after all.
One practical note: because florists and restaurants are at peak demand, order flowers by the first week of May 2027 and book restaurants at least two to three weeks ahead. No specific 2027 deals or offers are listed here — none had been verified from official sources at the time of writing (November 9, 2026).
Mother's Day Around the World
The second Sunday in May is not only the American date. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy and many other countries keep the same Sunday, which is why Mother's Day 2027 is May 9 in all of them. A few countries differ, and the differences are worth knowing if your mom lives abroad:
- United Kingdom — Mothering Sunday: Sunday, March 7, 2027. The British day is older and follows the church calendar — the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter 2027 (March 28, 2027). It is a different day with a different history.
- Mexico: May 10 every year, fixed by date rather than by weekday.
- Thailand: August 12, the birthday of Queen Sirikit.
- France: the last Sunday in May (May 30, 2027), or the first Sunday in June if it clashes with Pentecost.
How to Make Mother's Day 2027 Special
The best Mother's Day plans are simple and personal. A few ideas that work whatever your budget:
- Start with a call or a visit. More calls are made on this day than any other — if you cannot be there, be on the phone early.
- Write it down. A letter in your own words beats a bought card with a printed verse. It is also the tribute closest to how the day began.
- Give her the day off. Cook, clean and handle the chores so she does not have to.
- Do something together. A meal out, a walk, a film, a garden visit — the shared memory is what people remember a year later.
- Order early. Flowers by the first week of May, restaurants two to three weeks ahead, shipped gifts with time to spare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mother's Day 2027
When is Mother's Day 2027?
Mother's Day 2027 is on Sunday, May 9, 2027, the second Sunday in May.
How many days until Mother's Day 2027?
Use the live countdown at the top of this page — it ticks down to midnight at the start of Sunday, May 9, 2027, Eastern Time. At publication (November 9, 2026), there were 181 days remaining.
Why is Mother's Day always on a Sunday in May?
Because the 1914 law names the second Sunday in May, not a calendar date. The date therefore falls between May 8 and May 14 each year.
Who started Mother's Day?
Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia, who campaigned for the day in memory of her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis. The first services were held on May 10, 1908, and President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it nationally in 1914.
What is the official flower of Mother's Day?
The carnation. White carnations honour a mother who has died; red and pink carnations celebrate a living mother.
Is Mother's Day a federal holiday?
No. It is a national observance, not a federal holiday, so there is no day off work and no federal closure.
Is Mother's Day the same day in the UK?
No. The UK keeps Mothering Sunday, which in 2027 falls on March 7 — the fourth Sunday of Lent. The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all celebrate on the second Sunday in May.
What is the most popular Mother's Day gift?
Flowers — about three in four shoppers buy them — followed by greeting cards and a special outing such as dinner or brunch.
Planning the rest of the year? See St Patrick's Day 2027 and Presidents' Day 2027 for more 2027 holidays on this site.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Mother's Day (United States)
- Farmers' Almanac — Mother's Day 2027: Facts, Folklore, Recipes, and Ideas
- Northwestern Medill Spiegel Research Center — What Moms (and Shoppers) Want in 2025 (NRF/Prosper data)
- Inside Radio — Mother's Day Spending to Hit Record $38B (NRF 2026 survey)
- US Calculator — Mother's Day 2027 (date rule, 36 U.S.C. 117)