Moms deserve to know they’re appreciated this Mother’s Day

Published May 02, 2026  •  Last updated 23 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

Be sure to let the mom in your life know she's appreciated this Mother's Day. Photo by Manuta photography /Getty Images

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Mother’s Day is coming up fast and furious – time to find that perfect card, floral arrangement, and words to express exactly how one feels about their mom.

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Of course, it’s more complicated than that, as throughout the years the very definition of the legacy mother has taken on a broader meaning. Birth mom? Adoptive mom? Person who is the best mom in one’s life?

Or perhaps a day that many may not want to celebrate be they both the giver and the receiver.

So, Mother’s Day can be a difficult road to navigate.

Adding to that is the big question that many find hard to answer: What does mom really want on this special day?

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Let mom know she’s appreciated

People tend to reach for the usual cast of characters – the aforementioned card, breakfast in bed, perhaps a spa visit. But moms will be the first to tell you what they really want is a bit of peace, a break from the daily routine, and a couple of hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep.

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Being told they’re appreciated for the multi-tasking juggling act they pull off each day wouldn’t hurt, either.

Psychology Today reports that mothers have “the least free time of any demographic group surveyed.” And that women often feel guilty for taking “me-time.” Me time, it should be noted, is essential for one’s mental health and well-being, given the stress and burnout many moms experience – especially first-time moms.

According to Happiestbaby.com, who polled more than 1,000 moms on what they really want on Mother’s Day, the number one choice was sleep. A day at the spa was a hard second. Gift ideas included lavender-scented eye pillows or shower steamers. Throw in a new coffee maker and you’re good to go.

What ranked low on the list? Jewelry!

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Research also shows moms really appreciate a home-cooked meal that they didn’t have to make themselves. Think brunch or lunch ideas, leaving mom with time to decompress later in the day.

You can certainly go out – but be prepared for other families with like-minded intentions – and you can always order in.

Or just make a nice Mother’s Day meal yourself.

Hazelnut Chocolate Olive Oil Cake. Photo by Supplied

Here are a few suggestions:

Hazelnut Chocolate Olive Oil Cake

A sophisticated, moist chocolate cake with the surprise ingredient of olive oil giving this cake an added layer of richness. Recipe courtesy Bertolli.

1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts

1 Tbsp. orange juice

1 cup sugar, divided

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup good quality cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 large eggs plus 2 egg whites

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup orange juice

1 tsp. vanilla

100 g good quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped (for glaze)

1/2 cup heavy cream (for glaze)

Whole hazelnuts for garnish

Preheat oven to 350F and grease a springform pan with olive oil. Pulse hazelnuts with a portion of sugar until finely ground. Mix with flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
Beat eggs and remaining sugar until thick and pale, then slowly add olive oil. Fold in dry ingredients, then stir in orange juice and vanilla. Pour into pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes, minutes or until set. Cool completely.
Heat cream and pour over chopped chocolate and stir to combine.

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Spread glaze over cooled cake and garnish with hazelnuts.

Nothing smells better than a loaf of bread baking in the oven. Photo by Supplied

Homemade White Bread

Nothing smells better than a loaf of bread baking in the oven. Simple, classic and delicious! Makes two loaves; serve with favourite spread and butter. Courtesy of Fleischmann’s and Bake Good.

5 1/2-6 cups all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp. sugar

2 envelopes quick-rise plus yeast

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup milk

2 Tbsp. butter

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm (120-130F); stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in 1 cup flour, beat at high speed for two minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough.

Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough in half. Roll each half to 12 by 7-inch rectangle. Beginning at short end of each rectangle, roll up tightly as for a jelly roll. Pinch cams and ends to seal. Place, seam sides down, in two greased 8-½ by 4 ½- inch loaf pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled inside, about 45 minutes.

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Bake in 400F for 25-30 minutes, or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.

Spiralled Potato and Egg Nests. Photo by Supplied

Spiralled Potato and Egg Nests

Comfort written all over this recipe, courtesy of Hamilton Beach. Serves 2.

1 large Russet potato (about 10 oz.)

2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1/4 tsp. each salt and black pepper

2 large eggs

Chopped chives

Coarse black pepper

Heat oven to 400F. Using a spiralizer, make thin spirals of potato. Place spirals in a paper towel and squeeze dry.

Place a small cast iron skillet (or heavy oven-safe skillet) in oven to heat for 10 minutes. In the meantime, in a large bowl, stir potato spirals, onion, oil, salt and pepper until well blended. Spray hot skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Add potato mixture to skillet and move mixture up side. Bake until edge is slightly brown and crisp, about 23-25 minutes. Remove from oven and crack eggs over mixture. Return to oven and bake until eggs are cooked to desired doneness, additional 10-12 minutes. Garnish with chopped chives and coarse black pepper.

Note: If you don’t have a spiralizer you can use a standard vegetable peeler or box grater.

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