Consumer spending on Mother’s Day is expected to reach a record $38 billion this year, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The amount surpasses last year’s total spending of $34.1 billion and exceeds the previous record of $35.7 billion set in 2023.
“Mother’s Day remains a priority for many Americans, and they plan to lean into the holiday despite current economic uncertainty,” NRF Chief Economist and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews said. “Consumers are gifting from the heart, seeking unique gifts that create lasting memories for the mothers in their lives. It’s an opportunity to recognize what this person has meant to you, and retailers are ready to make Mother’s Day extra special for shoppers.”
In White Plains, The Westchester is holding a “Mom’s Night Out” Thursday, May 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., while neighboring Bloomingdale’s celebrates mothers on Saturday, May 9.
Consistent with recent years, 84% of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Mother’s Day. On a per-person basis, consumers plan to spend a record average of $284.25 on gifts, up from $259.04 last year and the previous record of $274.02 in 2023.
Here are some treasures we’ve found for those seeking last-minute luxury gifts or extending the holiday. After all, isn’t every day Mother’s Day?
For the fashionista
Hey Jude — This gold-and-white print dress from designer Jude Connally, called the “Helen,” is made in India of cotton voile and features long sleeves, a stand collar and convenient pockets. $248.
Golf garb — Featherie is a fast-growing women’s (and girls’) golf apparel brand founded in 2023 by former competitive junior golfer Kate Korngold and born of a need for golf apparel that is high-performance and attractive. Pair the Celine tulip skort 15.5” ($120) in Stardust with the Lexi Polo 2.0 short sleeve shirt ($110).
The ultimate white blouse — DaDonna blouses are Chanel-quality garments made (in Estonia) with fabric and tailoring in mind.
“I am especially familiar with the high standards of men’s shirts — structured collars that hold their shape, strong cuffs, precise stitching, accurate tailoring and high-quality fabrics,” said manufacturer Natalia Kravtsenko. “While men have long had access to shirts made to these standards, women’s shirts have often been a different story. That is why I decided to create a brand of women’s shirts where quality of construction would come first.”
Shoe-stoppers —Stubbs and Wootton’s elegant velvet flats that are great with evening wear – or jeans. Founded by a former New York financial adviser, the swanky shoes feature a wealth of marvelous motifs – golden bees, royal crests, Champagne flutes, zebras, anchors – and so much more. Small wonder that they have been a favorite of boldface names, including the late Valentino and Pope St. John Paul II. $625.
Aloha, super sneakers — Inspired by the Hawaiian islands, OluKai shoes blend craftsmanship, style and comfort. They include the $120 white-leather Pehuea Li ‘Illi and the $140 Kiahuna bright-white-and-cantaloupe-colored creation, which is perfect for golfing moms.
A portion of all proceeds directly supports the Ama OluKai Foundation, honoring those who preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage and aloha spirit of Hawai’i
While you’re at it, why not give mom a stay at the Wailea Beach Resort on Maui, with its upscale, elegant Olakino pool?
For spa mom
Golden-age skincare — New York entrepreneur Sarah Kugelman (who created the Skyn Iceland skincare brand years ago), has done it again with AllGolden, a new luxury skincare line for women over 45. Along with a special haircare wand to help tame grays, the beauty brand (made with a vegan, proprietary blend of prickly pear cactus, tonka bean and no water), includes the best-selling 360-degree Firming Eye Patches (six pairs, $55) and the gray-hair-reversing Root Changer — a blend of patented peptides and anti-graying actives made from upcycled organic Chios mandarins that is designed to increase melanin while also reducing the enzymes that break down melanin.
Million-dollar dermis — Skin Clique has more than 60,000 patients/clients – as its team of more than 900 board-certified medical professionals comes to your home to deliver personalized facial treatments. In Westchester, you can schedule these three providers:
Blondes have more fun —. The new Blacklight Blonde Science line by Oligo Professionnel is a high-performance, at-home blonding system. Founded in Montreal, this line is designed to hydrate, repair and neutralize lightened hair. Prices for the shampoos, conditioners, masks and more range from $16 to $98. h
For scent-sational moms
The scents of spring — Mother’s Day comes early in spring and what better way to relish that than with violets and lilacs? These scents can be hard to find in a perfume, but Frederic Malle is a luxury, cult French brand known to beauty insiders who want something special. Mom just might love Lipstick Rose (violets, $225 and $370), and En Passant (lilacs, $225), which sing a song of this soft season.
And if Mom’s mad about mango, try the TikTok favorite fragrance that’s gone viral – Guava Sorbet from the House of Brandt. It scintillates with the smell of lush, vibrant mandarins, guava and tart passionfruit. It’s a scent that few perfumers include, but husband-and-wife duo Will and Elizabeth Brandt — she is also the creative director and a respected fragrance influencer (Elizabeth Grace @aroomwithperfume) – have taken up the challenge. $245.
For moms who love musicals
Make your own “Music of the Night” — “Masquerade” offers an interactive retelling of “Phantom of the Opera” from the Phantom’s viewpoint over six floors on Manhattan’s West 57th Street that recreate the Paris Opera House. Make sure to combine it with an overnight at a luxury hotel like The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park (where you can even arrange a picnic in the park), or The St. Regis New York ( the brand’s flagship), where you can book the Dior Suite, and, for Mother’s Day, have a tea featuring Parisian Laduree macarons.
For foodie moms
Pasta, pizza and more? Prego! — Let mom savor an “Under the Tuscan Sun”-style experience with Cook In Tuscany. This seven-day program — which includes six nights a La Chiusa in Montefollonico Tuscany that feature hands-on cooking classes with nonnas, meals, wine, receptions and tours to experience local artisans — is priced at $4,750 per person based on double occupancy ($300 single supplement fee). (Airfare and airport transfers are excluded.)
Ciao, chocolate — What’s better than Nutella? Perhaps Nutella Ice Cream, also made by the Ferrero company in Italy. It will have your mouth watering faster than you can say, “filbert.” Available for a suggested retail price starting at $4.36, depending on the retail channel. Add Nutella cones for $5.47 and double decadence.
There’s also a new book from Assouline about Nutella – a 285-page tribute to this culinary c icon. Scoop yours up for $120.
For moms who just want to chill
Have a heart — This five-pound, pink, heart-shaped pillow was created in collaboration with actress Mariska Hargitay, star of NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” The Heart to Hug Pillow in Peaceful Pink ($48) is designed to help moms relax, recharge and feel cared for, using gentle Deep Touch Pressure to calm the nervous system. Aaah.
To mothers and mother figures everywhere, Happy Mother’s Day.
Debbi Karpowicz Kickham is a luxury travel writer and author of “The Globetrotter’s Get-Gorgeous Guide,” available on Amazon. You can follow her beauty, fashion and travel escapades on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.
