Last Minute Mother’s Day Experience Gifts: Experiential Ideas

Mother’s Day comes around every year, and every year kids young and old struggle with what to get Mom on the big day. Instead of opting for the standard yellow roses and some store-bought candy, think about what she might want to experience alongside her spouse and children – maybe a family picnic could bring out her carefree side, or a trip to the spa for a massage might melt away her worries. An experiential gift could go the extra mile – here, discover 10 Mother’s Day experience gift ideas that will leave a lasting impression.

Create a time capsule together for a Mother’s Day experience gift

Memories can last more than one lifetime, so why not mark the special Mother’s Day occasion by making a time capsule with Mom? She’ll love going through old photos of her children and family members, collecting memorable items, grabbing the newspaper of the day to include, and so much more. Once all the keepsakes are collected, wrap up the time capsule and include a “Do not open until” note on the box, choosing a date in perhaps five or even 10 years from now. This experiential gift is a win-win – Mom will love putting all these meaningful pieces together, and will be reminded of all the special times shared when she opens it up again years from now.

Have a family photo shoot

Memories that will last a lifetime are slam dunk gifts for Mom this Mother’s Day, so why not consider doing a family photo shoot? Think about hiring a photographer or asking a picture-savvy friend to snap photos of the whole family together. Mom can wear her favorite outfit, the fam will be dressed to the nines, and the finished product will freeze some precious moments in time. Not only will she love the final result, but given that moms are usually the ones behind the camera, she’ll finally get to be front and center.

Make her high tea at home

There’s nothing more posh than afternoon high tea, so indulge Mom in a classic British way and serve her the perfect tea tray. Have her sit down and relax outside with a good book while you put her luncheon together – think finger sandwiches, savory scones, and some sort of sweet treat, all paired with a delicious, fresh pot of tea. Don’t think that you have to stick with classic English Breakfast tea, either, as a fruity or floral blend would be perfect for Mother’s Day. If you really want to turn it up a notch, serve Mom the perfect mimosa.

A family jigsaw puzzle night is a great Mother’s Day experience gift

Some moms love to unwind with a good jigsaw puzzle, so why not make her go-to activity one to remember this Mother’s Day? Stop at your local game store and pick up a fun puzzle appropriate for the whole family and wrap it up for her to open. Once she’s thrilled by your attention to a favorite hobby of hers, surprise Mom by letting her know that the whole family will be chipping in that evening to help bring the picture to life. If you want to really elevate the experience, buy a puzzle frame or board so she can preserve her special Mother’s Day gift.

Family ceramic painting date

For the mom on the creative side, a family date to a ceramic painting shop – think Color Me Mine or even a local arts and crafts studio – will make her Mother’s Day one to remember. Each family member will not only get to choose and paint their own figurine, mug, bowl, frame, the list goes on, but Mom will be able to tap into her crafty side while spending quality time with her favorite people. Bonus! Whatever she chooses to paint will serve as a take-home gift that she’ll cherish forever.

Breakfast in bed is the perfect Mother’s Day experience

This one is a classic, but you can never go wrong with serving Mom breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day. Of course, she will need the opportunity to sleep in and get some much needed rest time while you put the tray together, so make sure that you keep the kitchen on the quiet side. Presenting her with all the breakfast goodies, a glass of orange juice, and flowers on the side will be the perfect way to start Mother’s Day.

Book her a massage

What mother doesn’t like to be pampered? They all do! Booking Mom a trip to the spa for a massage on Mother’s Day will show her that you not only notice all her hard work, but want to reward her with some much needed time off and attention. Let a masseuse knead all her worries away, and if you really want to go the extra mile, pick her up from the spa with Mother’s Day flowers and her favorite hot beverage waiting for her in the car.

Plan a picnic for a Mother’s Day experience gift

Sometimes all Mom wants is dedicated quality time, and what better way to do this than a planned picnic on Mother’s Day? Pick a beautiful local spot – her favorite park, the beach or lake, or even the backyard – and get to planning. You’ll need a picnic blanket (points for a classic gingham pattern), a selection of brunch options like sandwiches, fruit, her go-to chips, and beverages, and a beautiful wicker basket. Take Mom to your chosen spot and indulge her with good food and even better conversation. And, as a bonus, give her the wicker basket at the end so she can replicate a similar picnic with her friends.

Manicure/pedicure

There are some gifts that are a guaranteed success, and a manicure/pedicure is one of them. Nothing makes some people feel like they have their life together more than when their nails are done, and Mom will definitely benefit from the pampering that the nail salon brings to the table. Spring for her to get the gel or dip manicure set she’s been wanting, and definitely opt for the spa pedicure with all the perks. She won’t know what’s hit her with all the luxury, and isn’t that the best way to spoil her?

Make DIY candles together

For the mom who loves a DIY project – and influging in the finer things – a DIY candle-making afternoon is the experiential gift that will go the extra mile. This may sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. All you’ll need is soy wax, Mom’s favorite essential oil, wicks with metal bases, and jars of choice (think a mason jar or even a fun mug). Set up the DIY spot in the kitchen, lay out a cute tablecloth for protection, and get started with Mom by melting the wax over medium heat. Add in her essential oil choice – for reference, lavender is great for stress while citrus is perfect for focus – and mix together. From there, all you’ll need to do is anchor the wick in and pour! Mom will not only love the quality time, but she’ll get a personalized gift that will leave her feeling relaxed and loved.