You're probably staring at a blank calendar page or scrolling through your phone’s reminders, wondering why on earth we can't just pick one day and stick to it. Every year, the same frantic Google search happens: when is Mother's Day?
In the United States, Mother’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday, May 10.
If you feel like it was earlier last year, you aren't crazy. It was. In 2025, we celebrated on May 11. The year before that? May 12. There is a method to the madness, though it feels designed specifically to trip up anyone who doesn't have a digital assistant screaming at them to buy flowers. The rule is simple: it is always the second Sunday in May.
Why the Second Sunday? Blame Anna Jarvis
Most people think Hallmark invented this holiday to sell cards. That’s actually a bit of a myth, or at least a half-truth. The woman who really got the ball rolling was Anna Jarvis. After her own mother passed away in 1905, she wanted a day to honor the "private service" mothers do for their families. She wasn't looking for a giant commercial blowout. In fact, she later spent most of her life (and her inheritance) trying to abolish the holiday because she hated how corporate it became.
She picked the second Sunday because she wanted it to be a day of peace and reflection, often tied to church services. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law.
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But here’s where it gets messy.
The "second Sunday" rule means the date can swing anywhere from May 8 to May 14. If May 1 falls on a Monday through Saturday, the second Sunday lands later in the month. If May 1 itself is a Sunday, then May 8 is your big day.
The Global Confusion: It’s Not May Everywhere
If you have family in the UK or Ireland, your "when is Mother's Day" search is going to give you a very different result. They don't do the May thing.
Across the pond, they celebrate Mothering Sunday. This is a much older tradition tied to the Christian lunar calendar, specifically the fourth Sunday of Lent. In 2026, the UK will celebrate Mother's Day on March 15.
If you try to send flowers to a mum in London on the US date in May, you’re about two months late. It’s a classic expat mistake.
In many Arab countries, like Egypt and Jordan, the holiday is fixed. It’s always March 21, the spring equinox. They don't care what day of the week it is. Tuesday? Sunday? Doesn't matter. It’s Spring, and it’s for Mom. Norway does it in February. Thailand does it in August to coincide with the birthday of Queen Sirikit.
The Logistics of the May Rush
Knowing when is Mother's Day is only half the battle. The other half is surviving the logistics.
Did you know that Mother’s Day is historically the busiest day of the year for the restaurant industry? The National Restaurant Association consistently reports that more people dine out for Mother’s Day than for Valentine’s Day or even New Year’s Eve.
If you haven’t booked a table by mid-April, you’re basically relegated to the "we can squeeze you in at 4:00 PM or 9:30 PM" slot. It’s brutal.
Then there’s the floral industry. According to the Society of American Florists, Mother’s Day accounts for about 25% of all holiday flower purchases. Because the date moves, the supply chain has to be incredibly agile. If the date falls early (like May 8), growers in South America have less time to prep the roses and carnations after the Easter rush.
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Surprising Facts Most People Get Wrong
We all call it "Mother's Day." Anna Jarvis was very specific that it should be "Mother’s Day"—singular possessive.
She didn't want it to be a celebration of all mothers in the world. She wanted it to be a day where you celebrated your mother, the individual. She wanted the focus on the personal connection, not the demographic.
It’s also not the oldest "mother" holiday. The ancient Greeks and Romans had festivals for Cybele and Rhea, mother goddesses. But those were more about fertility and religion than about getting a "World's Best Mom" mug and a lukewarm mimosa at brunch.
How to Handle the Date Shift Like a Pro
Since the date is a moving target, your best bet is to look at the "May 1" anchor.
- Look at the calendar for May 1.
- If it’s a Sunday, add 7 days (May 8).
- If it’s any other day, find the first Sunday and jump one week forward.
Honestly, the easiest way to never forget is to just set a recurring calendar event for "Second Sunday of May" on your phone. Most modern calendars handle this perfectly.
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Actionable Next Steps for Mother's Day 2026
- Mark your calendar now: Sunday, May 10, 2026. Put a "one week prior" alert on it so you don't end up buying a wilted bouquet at a gas station.
- Book the restaurant by March: If you have a specific brunch spot in mind, especially in major cities like New York or Chicago, the "six-week rule" is your friend.
- Ship early if you’re international: If you are sending gifts from the US to the UK, remember their date is March 15. You need to shop in February.
- Check the shipping deadlines: Major floral retailers usually hike prices for "day-of" or "day-before" delivery. Aim for a Friday delivery (May 8) to save money and ensure the flowers actually open by Sunday.
Don't let the shifting calendar catch you off guard. May 10 will be here faster than you think, and mom definitely remembers what day it is.