Four ways to connect with Mom on Mother’s Day 2024

It’s nearly Mother’s Day—the day to celebrate the moms and mother-figures in our lives. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2024 consumer survey, 84 percent of U.S. adults are expected to celebrate the day and spend an average of $254 on gifts and celebrations. That’s a predicted Mother’s Day total spend of $33.5 billion!

We discovered a long time ago in a 2013 Ooma-commissioned survey, that nine out of 10 moms said their kids didn’t need to spend money on them—a simple phone call is enough. This mom concurs.

So take heart, all of you procrastinators. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars finding that perfect gift, give your mom what she really wants this Mother’s Day—a phone call.

1. Phone calls

If you’re already in the habit of calling at least once a week, you may be wondering how to make a Mother’s Day call extra special. Here are a few suggestions to get your conversation started:

Share a favorite childhood memory

A 2023 Psychology Today article explains that recalling happy events can produce not only temporary jolts of happiness, but also counteract stress. Before calling, retrieve a few treasured memories to share with your mother. Here are a few ideas to refresh your memory.

• Think back to family holidays, birthdays and vacations. Share something your mom did to make an event special.
• If your mother served a special meal, dessert or some other kind of food you loved growing up, tell her how much you appreciated it and ask for the recipe or where she bought it.
• Did she create unique traditions that you still observe?
• Did a “silly” mom rule ever keep you from making a big mistake?

Remember that sharing is a two-way street, so take the time to listen to your mother’s perspective on your memories as you chat. She may add some background information you never heard before.

Tell your mother about an important lesson she taught you

Take some time to reflect on important life lessons from your mother. For example, jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall said, “The best advice my mom ever gave me was that you have to talk about your emotions.”

Think about the best advice or life lesson you learned from your mother and share that experience in a Mother’s Day call. It’s one simple way to show your appreciation. It could be a lesson about your emotions like Diana Krall, how to succeed at work with difficult people, or something else entirely.

Ask your mother about herself

Sharing your own stories and reflections isn’t your only option. Why not take the time to ask your mother about her experiences? Here are a few questions to consider:

• How would you describe yourself as a child?
• What did you want to be when you grew up?
• What accomplishment are you proudest of?
• Did you have a good relationship with your parents?
• What is the most rewarding thing about raising kids?

2. Video calls

Video calling with an app like Facetime or Zoom is another way you can say hello on Mother’s Day. A video conference call lets you connect more deeply than a phone call because you can see each other’s faces. Research reported in Forbes found that virtual eye contact can be as beneficial as in-person eye contact. However, the details matter. Forbes notes that, “The study authors were quick to point out that this may not work well in applications like Skype or Zoom where the position of the camera creates an averted gaze.”

During a Mother’s Day video conference call, focus on looking into the camera rather than looking at the video of your mother. By looking into the camera, you will be better able to maintain virtual eye contact.

By the way, you might want to invite any siblings to join the fun.

3. Cards, letters, notes, emails and text messages

If you feel more comfortable expressing your thoughts and feelings in writing, send Mom a heartfelt message. You can always send a text message or email, but it’s Mother’s Day so consider sending a handwritten letter—it may become a cherished keepsake.

4. Personalized gift cards

As an alternative to sending a traditional gift card you can pick up at any gas station, get out your art supplies and consider making a homemade gift card. For example, you could write something like:

• Redeem this card for a deep cleaning of your apartment.
• This card entitles you to a board game night at your place.
• Valid for an afternoon of gardening help.

You get the idea—just make sure this gift card relates to an activity that your mother would appreciate or a chore she abhors.

Still want to give Mom a physical gift?

As mentioned, most mothers would be perfectly happy with just a phone call. But if you’re looking for something unique that keeps in the “connections” theme, take a peek at the fun Ooma Retro Phone Bundles. They come in a variety of styles including a pink princess phone and lips phone.

However you choose to connect with Mom is sure to make your mom’s day special.