Americans Set To Spend Record $38 Billion On Mother's Day
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
Mother’s Day is observed each year in the United States on the second Sunday in May. In 2026, it falls on May 10. On this day, Americans celebrate the important women in their lives with lavish gifts and treats.
The tradition is credited to Anna Jarvis, a teacher from Philadelphia. She wanted to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their families. The first celebration took place in 1908 at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. This was where Jarvis's mother had taught Sunday school for many years before her death in 1905. It was such a success that Jarvis began a campaign to make Mother’s Day a national holiday. Her efforts paid off.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson set aside the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Jarvis imagined a simple celebration. It would include wearing a white carnation and visiting one's mother or attending church.
However, as soon as the holiday became official, retailers began promoting Mother's Day gifts and products. Jarvis spent years fighting this trend. She even filed lawsuits against what she called "profiteers." By the time she died in 1948, Jarvis had disowned the holiday she helped create.
Mother’s Day has since become increasingly commercial. It is now the third-largest retail holiday in the United States, after the winter holidays and back-to-school season. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that about 84 percent of Americans will celebrate Mother's Day in 2026. They are expected to spend about $284 each for a total of $38 billion! This would exceed the previous record of $35.7 billion set in 2023.
Greeting cards and flowers top the list of popular gifts. But they are just a small portion of the total amount spent. A large chunk — $7.5 billion — will be spent on jewelry. About $6 billion will go toward special outings like dinner or brunch. Other favorites include gift cards, electronics, clothing, and personal services like spa treatments or massages.
While gifts are appreciated, most mothers value time with family even more. This May 10, do something thoughtful, such as serving her breakfast in bed. Most importantly, set aside your phone and give your mom the full attention she deserves.
Happy Mother's Day!
Resources: Wikipedia.org, NRF.org, History.com
Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
46 Comments
livisrandom6 daysthank u to all the moms and my exs mom cause she is the best
renutibykyce10 daysi love my mom so so much
bianca9810 daysI love my mom she is so sweet, she takes care of me, and she also loves me.😘- bianca9810 daysThese kids are so sweet
cocohawaii11 daysI love my mom!!
slaygurl11 daysI made my mom many cards
852128sophie12 daysOur mothers are why we're here❤️😌
komiwyjytebi13 daysShe kisses my boo boos, she braids my hair, we love you mother everywhere and my mom is beyond compare. (Can't say her real name)- chicago-kid13 daysGotta love those moms!! I know I love mine! Happy Mother's Day everybody!!
- chicago-kid13 daysGO MOMS!!
