As Mother’s Day approaches, the pressure is on. How exactly are you supposed to thank the person who literally birthed you? It can, understandably, feel like an impossible task. Luckily, it’s an undisputed fact of life that the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach. From lavish brunch spreads that rival the finest restaurants to crafty Mother’s Day cocktails that will keep her spirits high, take a look at our comprehensive guide to Mother’s Day food ideas and start planning a feast fit for a queen.
Last Minute Mother’s Day Gifts
If you’re reading this less than a week away from Mother’s Day, don’t panic just yet. We have a last minute Mother’s Day gift guide with your name on it. (“Procrastinator,” right? That’s your name? Kidding! We’re kidding, jeez… but seriously, check these out.)
Mother’s Day Gifts at World Market
Obviously, no one deserves a vacation more than your mom. (I’m sure she’s told you as much, many times, and you know what? She’s not wrong.) Luckily, World Market is a gifting gold mine for anyone who might spend a little too much time browsing those unrealistically priced Airbnbs in Paris or Japan. Handmade pasta imported from Italy? International spices and gourmet sauces? A sparkling rosé literally called “Mumm”? They’ve got it all, y’all.
The Best Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas at Home
Is it really even Mother’s Day without brunch? From our favorite canned Bloody Mary to gluten-free brownie mix, we’ve tailored a sumptuous savory and sweet at-home brunch spread for her special day.
Best Pancake Mix
Our previous guides have plenty of Mother’s Day food ideas, and that includes a few pancake mix options—but you know your mom best, so make sure to take a look at all of our recommendations and see if one suits her best!
Best Low Sodium Bacon
Some moms find it hard to indulge, even on the one day a year specifically designed for their indulgence. If your Mother’s Day food ideas include a breakfast or brunch, the best low sodium bacon (or turkey bacon) might be a better option for her than regular bacon. Bring home bacon that’s delicious, but a little more mindful of her health.
Best Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon is a real ace up your sleeve when it comes to fancy food for Mother’s Day. Breakfast in bed? Check. Brunch appetizer? Check. Charcuterie spread? Check, check, check. Poach an egg over an English muffin, add some bacon, smoked salmon, and hollandaise sauce, and suddenly you have one of the most expensive versions of Eggs Benedict you can find on any brunch menu right there in your own home, just for Mom!
Best Bloody Mary Mix
Sure, you can opt for that canned Bloody Mary from our Mother’s Day brunch guide (it’s good!), but we also recommend taking a peek at these Bloody Mary mixes and seeing if one looks more to Mom’s taste.
Best Tomato Juice
Not to harp on the Bloody Mary thing, but if you prefer to serve up your own Mother’s Day cocktails from scratch, don’t miss out on our tomato juice ranking. (We especially recommend the extra salty and savory Clamato tomato juice for Bloody Mary’s, just sayin’.)
Best Orange Juice
Despite the clear Bloody Mary bias in this guide, Mother’s Day cocktails aren’t limited to spicy tomato juice and vodka. Some moms might appreciate a mimosa with her breakfast in bed instead. We loved Uncle Matt’s for mimosas thanks to that extra splash of acidity, but check out the full list! (And hey, if spicy Margs are more her thing, we’ve got a list of the best Margarita mixes, too.)
Best Dark Chocolate Bars
It’s a known fact that Moms love dark chocolate. Someone look into the science here, because it’s real. These dark chocolate bars would make a lovely pair with a card and a bouquet of her favorite flowers.
Best Cold Brew
Picture this: breakfast in bed, with an iced cold brew coffee sitting next to a sleek, stainless steel cup of cream that she can pour in herself. Dress it up with accoutrement like a cinnamon stick, some caramel sauce, or even a dollop whipped cream if she’s known for having a sweet tooth. For coffee purists, you can also check out our ranking of cold brew concentrate.
Best Pasta Salad
You might not expect to add pasta salad to a Mother’s Day brunch spread, but we can’t stress this enough: Grocery store pasta salad deserves more recognition. These will elevate your brunch spread—and without taking up too much of your time, which you can spend on other things, like…
Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Yes, you could buy her chocolate chip cookies from a store, but you know what she would appreciate way more than that? Effort. Just a little effort, you guys. (And someone else using the kitchen for a change—but make sure to clean it until those counters are spotless, okay?) Fresh, oven-baked cookies will be much appreciated.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!