How the UK Plans to Celebrate Mother’s Day in 2025

With Mother’s Day approaching, a new YouGov Surveys: Serviced poll among British adults provides insights into how people plan to mark the occasion. From dining preferences to gifting habits and budgeting trends, the data reveals a diverse range of celebrations across different age groups.

Nearly a third of Britons plan to celebrate Mother’s Day by spending quality time with family (32%). This is the most popular choice particularly among younger adults aged 25-34 (49%) and 18-24 (42%).

Dining preferences also vary. While 16% plan to have a meal at home, this trend is stronger among younger demographics, with 27% of 18-24-year-olds and 28% of 25-34-year-olds choosing this option. Going out for a meal is less common overall (13%), with the highest interest coming from the 25-34 age group (19%). Meanwhile, relaxing at home appeals to 17% of respondents, again with younger adults showing greater enthusiasm for this option.

The role of food in Mother’s Day traditions

On Mother’s Day lunch (20%) and an evening meal (21%) are the most popular choices for a main meal. Traditional Sunday roasts remain particularly favoured among older age groups, with 27% of those aged 55+ opting for this compared to just 9% of 18-24-year-olds.

For those eating at home, cooking a meal from scratch is the top choice (73%), especially among the 25-34 age group (76%). Takeaways (13%) and supermarket meal deals (9%) are less popular options.

Gifting preferences

When it comes to gifts, flowers continue to be the most popular option, chosen by 34% of respondents, with the highest interest among those aged 35-44 (42%). Chocolates and sweets follow at 22%, while 12% opt for jewellery. Experiences such as concert tickets or getaways remain a niche choice, with only 6% planning to give such gifts, though this figure rises slightly among the 25-34 group (14%).

Notably, 24% of respondents who celebrate Mother’s Day say they are not planning to give a gift, a percentage that jumps to 52% among those aged 55 and over.

Shopping influences: Discounts and quality matter most

For those shopping at supermarkets for Mother’s Day gifts, quality of products (44%) and range of gift options (38%) are the most significant factors. Special offers and discounts (30%) also play a role, especially among younger shoppers (38% of 18-24-year-olds). Additionally, 32% of respondents highlight the importance of supermarkets offering special gifts tailored to the occasion.

Beyond supermarkets, consumers are drawn to retailers based on competitive pricing (40%), positive past experiences (46%), and exclusive product offerings (27%). Recommendations from others are also influential (25%), particularly for younger shoppers (39% of 18-24-year-olds).

Budgeting and planning ahead

Budgeting for Mother’s Day varies significantly. The most common budget range is £21-£50 (29%), with younger groups (25-34) slightly more likely to spend in this range (34%). A smaller portion (15%) plan to spend between £51-£100, while just 6% will exceed £100. Conversely, 25% of respondents expect to spend under £20, with this being more common among 18-24-year-olds (26%) and those over 55 (24%).

When it comes to planning, 23% of respondents begin preparations 2-3 weeks before the event, while 21% leave it until a week before. Last-minute shopping (less than a week in advance) is common for 18% of respondents, rising to 26% among 45-54-year-olds. Notably, 24% of all respondents do not plan ahead at all, with this number climbing to 51% for those aged 55 and over.

Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on 17-18 March 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 2,212 adults in the United Kingdom (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education and region to be representative of all adults. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.

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