Americans are spending big this Mother’s Day, and the numbers are nothing short of historic. Gas prices are up, inflation is still a real concern, yet families across the country are refusing to hold back when it comes to celebrating mom. Restaurants are packed, florists are racing the clock, and the nation’s wallets are wide open.

A Record-Breaking Weekend for Spending

Mother’s Day 2026 spending is forecast to soar to a record $38 billion, jumping a massive 11% from last year, according to the National Retail Federation. That is not a small bump. The figure surpasses last year’s total of $34.1 billion and exceeds the previous record of $35.7 billion set in 2023. 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. That kind of consistent year-over-year growth tells you something important: no matter what the economy throws at families, Mom stays at the top of the list. “Mother’s Day remains a priority for many Americans, and they plan to lean into the holiday despite current economic uncertainty,” said NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews. “Consumers are gifting from the heart, seeking unique gifts that create lasting memories.”

Mother’s Day 2026 record restaurant and florist spending

“Consumers are budgeting more and planning on shopping more across all gift categories this Mother’s Day.” — Phil Rist, Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy

Restaurants See a Rush Like No Other Day

Mother’s Day is by far the busiest day of the year for U.S. restaurants overall. That is not a seasonal exaggeration. It is a reality that every kitchen manager, server, and host across America is dealing with right now. Reservations platform Resy reported that bookings were up nearly 30% compared with the same time frame last year. Rival platform OpenTable said its reservations were “trending up by double digits” compared with last year. Those are massive numbers that signal a clear consumer intent: dining out with Mom is non-negotiable. Operators across the country are responding. Many restaurants are:

• Adding patio seating to handle larger parties
• Simplifying menus to reduce kitchen stress
• Offering prix fixe options to control costs and speed up table turns
• Rolling out family-style take-home packages for flexible celebrations

In San Diego, Ed Powers at Broken Yolk Cafe, a 42-restaurant chain where he serves as director of operations, noted one welcome surprise heading into the weekend. Eggs, used in three-quarters of the dishes at the brunch-focused chain, saw retail prices drop nearly 45% in March compared with a year ago, as the industry recovers from a persistent bout of bird flu. For a brunch-heavy holiday like Mother’s Day, that kind of ingredient relief matters.

Florists Brace for Their Biggest Sprint of the Year

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest days for florists, right after Valentine’s Day. For many flower shops, this single weekend shapes the entire year. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend nearly $3.2 billion on Mother’s Day flowers alone this year. Flowers remain the most popular gift overall, with 75% of shoppers planning to purchase them. The strong demand comes even as inflation, higher shipping costs, tariffs, and rising fuel prices continue to impact consumers and businesses. For flower shops across the United States, especially small local florists, the Mother’s Day rush has become both exciting and stressful, with florists working overtime to handle thousands of orders while trying to protect customers from the full impact of rising flower prices. A Society of American Florists survey found that many florists are “leaning into value-focused offerings,” including cheaper grab-and-go bouquets and smaller arrangements. Plants are also becoming a more common gift, and the trade group found that two-thirds of florists expect Mother’s Day sales to increase or remain steady this year. Here is a quick look at what the flower spending breakdown looks like this Mother’s Day:

Gas Prices Sting, But Families Push Through

Rising fuel costs are the one real pressure point this weekend. Rising gas prices add stress to family budgets and delivery fleets, with drivers for florists and catering services feeling the increase first. Some businesses are adding small fuel surcharges or tightening delivery zones to manage the impact. Some higher-income households continue spending freely on luxury flowers, jewelry, dining, and travel experiences. Meanwhile, middle-income and lower-income families are becoming more selective with their spending because of inflation and rising living costs. Still, the overall picture is resilient. The so-called K-shaped economy is on everyone’s mind, but consumers across income groups are raising their spending on celebrating mom. Unsurprisingly, higher-income consumers saw the greatest increases, but lower- and middle-income consumers also plan to purchase and spend more. More consumers plan to purchase gifts at discount stores, maximizing their dollars. **The core truth is this: families may be cutting corners elsewhere, but Mother’s Day spending is being protected.**

What This Weekend Signals for the Months Ahead

Mother’s Day 2026 is more than just a single holiday. It is a real-time test of where American consumer confidence stands. Experiential gifts continue to gain traction, with a record one-third of consumers planning to give experiences such as concerts or sporting events. That shift away from pure material gifts toward shared moments is a trend that restaurants, travel operators, and entertainment venues will be watching closely going into summer. Electronics, in particular, are a popular gift category this year, with expected spending surpassing $4 billion for the first time in the survey’s history. That is a signal that shoppers are willing to invest in premium, functional gifts alongside the traditional flowers and brunch outings. For florists, the road ahead involves smarter planning. Subscription flower services, better route optimization, and a stronger push on preorders are all likely to become standard practice after this weekend’s lessons. For restaurants, prix fixe menus, stronger reservation systems, and take-home bundle options are shaping the playbook for the summer dining season. Millennials plan to spend the most, maintaining their place as the generation with the largest budgets for moms. As this generation continues to move into peak earning years, their spending habits on sentimental holidays will keep pushing the numbers higher. Father’s Day, back-to-school, and the holiday season are all next in line. Mother’s Day 2026 is on track to be the biggest in American history, proof that love still drives spending even when budgets are tight and pump prices are climbing. Restaurants are full, flower shops are buzzing, and families are showing up for the one person who never stopped showing up for them. That is a story no recession scare or fuel surcharge can fully dim. How are you planning to celebrate the special mom in your life this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.