Mother’s Day Fun Facts for 2024

Whether they're buying jewelry and flowers or spa treatments and candlelit dinners, Americans aren't afraid to go (and spend) above and beyond on Mother's Day. After the winter holidays, Mother's Day has the highest spending total — even higher than Valentine's Day! But this year, Americans are taking Mother's Day shopping and pampering to new heights.

In 2024, Mother's Day spending is expected to reach near-record heights. So, let's take a look at some Mother's Day fun facts about how consumers will be spoiling their moms this year.

Mother's Day spending will approach last year's record high

This year, consumers are projected to spend the second most ever on Mother's Day gifts and festivities. According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey, Americans are expected to spend a total of $33.5 billion, just shy of last year's record total of $35.7 billion.

The NRF estimates that Americans will spend an average of $254.04 on their moms this year, almost $20 less than in 2023.

Dividing $33.5 billion

It's clear that, when it comes to Mom, the sky's the limit. Now that we know how much people will be spending, let's see what they're actually spending it on. Below are the most popular Mother's Day gifts, according to the National Retail Federation.

Flowers

Tied for the most popular Mother's Day gift this year are, what else, flowers!

• This Mother's Day, 74% of people will give their mom flowers.
• That means that $3.2 billion will be spent on the sweet-smelling plants.
• No surprise here: Mother's Day is one of the largest flower holidays for 1-800-Flowers.com. More than 20 million stems are expected to sell this year.

Greeting cards

Putting just how much you love your mom into words can sometimes be tricky, so, thankfully, there are plenty (and we mean plenty) of Mother's Day cards ready and willing to do the job! And though we know mom will love anything you give her, sometimes a simple, homemade Mother's Day card is better than the fanciest card around.

This year, 74% of people who celebrate Mother's Day will get their mom a card. During this holiday alone, Americans will spend about $1.1 billion on greeting cards.

Special outings

After you've woken up mom with flowers, a card, and breakfast in bed, it's time to celebrate her!

• 59% of people said they plan on taking their mom on a special outing.
• No surprise here: Most people said they'll be treating mom to brunch!

Jewelry

Are diamonds (and other jewelry) mom's best friend? The NRF estimates consumers plan to spend $7 billion on jewelry this year, down slightly from the $7.8 billion they were expected to spend in 2023. It's a timeless gift that never goes out of style.

More Mother’s Day fun facts

• In Greek mythology, spring festivals were held to honor the maternal goddess Rhea.
• One quarter of all the flowers bought in a year are purchased during Mother’s Day.
• Carnations are the official Mother’s Day flower.
• Speaking of the official flower, Anna Jarvis was the woman who popularized them after her own mother passed.
• Pink and red carnations are commonly given to mothers who are still alive, while white carnations are for those who have passed away.
• In 1908, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the start of a national Mother’s Day.
• Though Mother’s Day was created in the early 1900s, many small towns already had a day dedicated to honoring mothers well before then.
• If you’re not sure what kind of flowers to get mom, we may be able to help! The most searched-for flowers the week leading up to Mother’s Day are roses, peonies, hydrangeas, and sunflowers.