7 Easy Ways to Show Your Mom You Appreciate Her

You may have the best mom in the world, but have you shown her how much you appreciate her lately? It’s not always easy. And while a simple “I love you” can go a long way, there’s always more we can be doing to honor the mothers in our lives. It’s time to dig deep and show some love. 

1. Give Her a Gift Just to Say “I Love You” 

The key here is to surprise her with a gift when it’s not expected—not on Christmas, not on her birthday, not on Mother’s Day, but on a random Tuesday. This is an excellent way to show her what an amazing woman she is. For instance, you can give her a custom wood sign that reinforces the importance of family, like this Family: Where Life Begins and Love Never Ends sign, or this Together We Make One Beautiful Family sign. If you can’t find the right gift or you’re not sure what she’ll love, be sure to check out our list of the best gifts for the mom who doesn’t want anything.

2. Provide a Few Kind Words

It costs nothing to sit down with Mom and say, “I really appreciate all the sacrifices you’ve made for me, and I’m so blessed to have you as my mother.” As long as the message is sincere, your mom is going to be deeply touched. If you have a hard time communicating these types of sentiments face to face or over the phone, you can write her a letter expressing your gratitude. 

3. Immortalize Your Family Bond With a Custom Photo Print

Find a beautiful family photo (or take one), and transform it into a gorgeous wood-framed photo print. It can be a precious memory with you and your mom together, a photo of Mom with the grandkids, or a photo of all the family members together. Immortalize those priceless moments as a way of showing your undying appreciation, and leave her speechless. 

4. Do Some Work Around the House

One of the simplest ways to show appreciation is just to help out. Maybe Mom’s rose bushes need a trim, or perhaps her shower faucet is leaking. Whether it’s mowing the lawn or fixing the squeaky garage door, there are plenty of ways to help out—and it really makes a difference. If you live far away or you don’t have the time, you can also surprise her with a day of maid service or handyman services. Sites like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack make it easy to book verified housekeepers and contractors for the day. 

5. Cook a Meal for Her 

It’s safe to assume that your mom cooked hundreds if not thousands of meals for you over the years. Maybe it’s time to return the favor. Cook up a treasured family recipe, or make Mom’s favorite meal or favorite dessert as you bring the whole family together (or keep it just between the two of you). And if you’re not the best cook in the world, just keep the recipe simple. It’s the gesture that matters most. If you have access to a family recipe book, that can be a huge help as well. 

6. Spend Time With Her 

As we get older, we tend to spend less and less time with the people who brought us into this world. If Mom had her choice of the perfect gift, it would probably be quality time: a shopping trip, a spa day, a nice dinner on the town—there are endless options. So plan an outing, keep your phone in airplane mode, and just be present. Make some new memories together, perhaps at a location where the two of you already have fond memories. 

7. Establish a Phone Routine

If you no longer live with your mom, it’s important to stay in touch. Chances are, she doesn’t want an occasional text message. If you want to make Mom happy, you have to call her. So set up a routine. Maybe set aside Tuesday nights or Saturday afternoons to touch base over the phone. Share your week with her, and make her feel listened to as well. That routine will become her favorite part of the week. 

A Mother’s Love Is Worth Honoring

There are lots of reasons to honor your mom. She’s been a constant source of unconditional love, unwavering support, self-esteem building, good advice, great food, and even better company. Moms are under more pressure than ever before, and it’s easy to forget just how much they’ve sacrificed for us. 

So don’t wait until Mother’s Day approaches to show your appreciation to the woman responsible for giving birth to you. You want to make her feel appreciated as often as you can, so get in the habit of doing it regularly. There are a lot of people who wish they still had that opportunity.