Mother’s Day is officially a month away, and for those looking to make the day special, it’s never too early to start planning.
Whether you’re thinking of showing your appreciation for your mom through gifts, handwritten cards or a special meal out, here’s what you need to know.
When is Mother’s Day 2026?
This year Mother’s Day is on May 10, 2026.
The date changes annually in the U.S. on the second Sunday in May, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. It’s why the date changes year-to-year.
Easy gifts for mom on Mother’s Day
Gifts for mom don’t have to be expensive or fancy; they just need to be thoughtful. Here are some gift-giving ideas.
Cards: Mother’s Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday in the United States, with 113 million cards exchanged annually, according to Hallmark. A Mother’s Day card with a personal hand-written message can let mom know how much she means to you.
Flowers & Candy: You can pick up a bouquet of flowers and candy from almost any grocery or big-box store, but check out local floral shops, too, if you can.
Gifts you can buy online: Drawing a blank on what to get your mother? Check out USA Today’s Mother’s Day online gift guide.
Time: The most underrated gift you can give anyone is time. Take your mom on a Mother’s Day walk, hang out around the house and pitch in with chores, or if distance is an issue, spend extra time with her on the phone.
Order food with Uber Eats
Which brunch spots are open on Mother’s Day?
Make your mom feel special by taking her out for some good food and quality time. Here are some restaurants around Illinois that are set to be open on Mother’s Day:
Breakfast in bed… if you can’t make it, you can order it.
If you don’t feel confident in your culinary skills or you’re worried you might wake her cooking in the kitchen, you can always order breakfast and have it delivered to your door, which you can then deliver to her in bed.
You can use Doordash, GrubHub or Uber Eats.
Order food with DoorDash
Psst… Father’s Day is coming soon. Here’s when
Don’t forget about dad. Father’s Day is celebrated annually in the U.S. on the third Sunday in June. This year Father’s Day is June 21, 2026.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Mother’s Day 2026 is next month. Where to dine in Illinois
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Katie Wiseman and John Tufts, USA TODAY NETWORK / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
