Sporked’s Guide to Mother’s Day 

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

last minute mother's day gifts from the grocery store
Credit: Liv Averett / Costco / Instacart / Josh Cellars

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

mother's day food gifts from world market
Credit: Liv Averett / Fly By Jing / 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

mother's day brunch ideas
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon / Target

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

best pancake mix
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon / Walmart

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

best lower sodium bacon
Credit: Liv Averett / iStock / Pavillions / Walmart

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

best smoked salmon
Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs / Trader Joe’s / Walmart

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

Best Bloody Mary Mix
Credit: Ryan Martin

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

best tomato juice
Credit: Merc / Instacart / Target / Amazon

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

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart / Target / Walmart / Whole Foods

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

best dark chocolate bars
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon / Target / Walmart

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

best cold brew
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

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

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon / Instacart

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

best chocolate chip cookie dough
Credit: Merc / Immaculate / Target / Walmart

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. 


About the Author

Ariana Losch

Ariana Losch is a Sporked contributor, webcomic writer, java junkie, and bad TV enthusiast. She only ever feels at peace laying out on a beach like a kebab, roasting in the sun; sadly, she can never move back to Florida, her home state, because there simply isn’t enough good Mediterranean food. You can find her overstaying her welcome at just about every LA coffee shop, working on a screenplay and avoiding all eye contact. (She is embarrassed to be there, please leave her alone.)

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