Gift ideas
Mother's Day gifts across two different dates
Mothering Sunday in the UK falls three weeks before Easter, so usually in March. Dutch Moederdag falls on the second Sunday of May. If your mother lives in one country and you in the other, you are dealing with two dates that can be eight weeks apart.
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Two countries, one card
If she lives in another country, the shop round her corner isn't the one round yours. With the World Gift Card she picks the country, the currency and the brand herself.
Two dates, and which one counts
Mothering Sunday moves with Easter, so it lands on a different date every year. Dutch Moederdag sits on the second Sunday of May and does not move. Both dates for this year and next are below; the date that counts is the one observed where she lives.
| This year | Sunday 15 March |
|---|---|
| Next year | Sunday 7 March |
Digital
Up to the day itself: digital usually within minutes.
By post
Order before Sunday 8 March for delivery in time. Physical cards typically take a few business days, depending on destination, quantity and personalisation.
Etiquette. Pick one date and keep to it. Marking both because you couldn't choose reads as hedging; marking the one that applies where she lives does not.
Eight directions for Mother's Day
A day she doesn't have to organise
The gift is that somebody else decides where you're going and at what time. Rarer than any object.
Food she didn't cook
Out, delivered, or a supermarket card for the week after. The classic, and deservedly so.
Something that extends the day
A book, a series, a magazine subscription: something that runs past Sunday instead of wilting.
Flowers with a second life
A plant stays; a bouquet doesn't. It also survives a distance far better.
Something that improves a daily routine
Good coffee, a decent pillow, a warm blanket. Small things people rarely buy for themselves.
A day out, together
A garden, a museum, a trip. For a mother who has everything, time is the only shortage.
Something she needs help with
Cleaning, the garden, a job around the house. Unromantic, and the most frequently mentioned when it actually helps.
Let her choose
Especially at a distance: you don't know her high street, she does.
What each amount buys
Mother's Day is rarely an expensive occasion; the day usually matters more than the amount.
| Under £25 | Flowers, a book, lunch. Right for a mother-in-law or a stepmother. |
|---|---|
| £25–50 | The usual band for your own mother, especially with several children chipping in. |
| £50–100 | A day out or something for the house, often shared between siblings. |
| £100 and up | A milestone: a first Mother's Day, or a birthday falling close to it. |
Frequently asked questions
When is Mothering Sunday?
The fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter Sunday. It moves with Easter and usually falls in March.
When is Mother's Day in the Netherlands?
The second Sunday of May. The date shifts each year but always sits in that week.
Why are the two dates different?
Mothering Sunday is a church date tied to Easter. Dutch Moederdag is a fixed weekday in May and unrelated to it.
Which date should I use for a mother in the Netherlands?
The Dutch one. The day observed around her is the day the gift means something.
Can I mark both dates?
You can, but it rarely improves things. One occasion done properly lands better than two half ones.
What do you give a mother living abroad?
Something usable where she is: food, a day out, or a card she redeems herself. Posting across a border costs more than it adds.
Can it arrive on the day itself?
Yes. A digital card can be scheduled, so it lands on Sunday morning.
How much do people give?
In most families between £25 and £50, often with siblings sharing one gift.
What do you give on a first Mother's Day?
Something for her rather than for the baby. She is the recipient that day, and that gets forgotten.
How long is the card valid?
At least 24 months, so she can wait until she knows what to spend it on.
Other occasions
Looking for a different moment?