MIAMI — Mother’s Day is a beloved holiday celebrated across the globe. Children and loved ones utilize this time to honor their respective mothers, showering them with love, appreciation, and gifts. However, with time, the holiday has turned from a celebration of motherhood to a glorified shopping spree, especially in Miami.

On a sunny second Sunday in May, brunch tables fill quickly. Restaurants in Brickell, Coconut Grove, and Miami Beach offer prix-fixe menus, some costing more than $100 per person. Bouquet lines, storefronts, and social media feeds overflow the timeline with curated tributes to moms. But behind the flowers and reservations, Mother’s Day is becoming something more complex: a growing economic force.

According to a 2025 survey by the National Retail Federation, Americans were expected to spend more than $34.1 billion on Mother’s Day, with spending growing each year. The average person even spends around $200 on the day alone. So while the holiday remains rooted in appreciation, data numbers suggest it is also deeply tied to consumer culture.

And in Miami, that shift is especially visible.

Dining out has become one of the most common ways families celebrate Mother’s Day. Restaurants even report it as their busiest day of the year, beating out rival holidays such as Valentine’s Day. But the cost of participating in that tradition is rising.

A typical brunch in Miami might cost $20 to $35 on an average weekend, but on Mother’s Day, many restaurants set prix fixe menus ranging from $75 to over $130 per person.

A typical brunch in Miami might cost between $20 and $35 on a regular weekend. On Mother’s Day, many restaurants switch to prix fixe menus ranging from $50 to over $120 per person.

This vast price not only reflects the demand but also the expectation.

“Mother’s Day has definitely become too commercialized,” Dashonya Thompson said, a Miami resident and mother of two. “I think we [society] value what we get as opposed to spending quality time with and celebrating mom, and for me, that’s what it’s all about.”

Her sentiment aligns with a national survey showing that many mothers prefer quality time over expensive gifts or extravagant brunches.

Consumers’ spending on Mother’s Day is still dominated by traditional purchases such as flowers or cards, but experiences are rapidly increasing as a share of holiday spending. Dining out, spa visits, and traveling trips now make up a growing share of Mother’s Day festivities aside from the conventional ones.

Florists also see a major surge during Mother’s Day weekend. Many flowers sold across the United States pass through Miami, making the city a key place for the holiday supply chain. As demand rises, so do prices, making the flowers more expensive than usual just days before the holiday.

This shift not only showcases that Mother’s Day is no longer just about buying something but about a broader trend: creating a new experience.

In a city shaped by tourism, social media, and luxury branding, celebrations often feel amplified. Picture-perfect brunches, waterfront dining, and elaborate gifts can create a sense of expectation.

That pressure is between neighborhoods of all income levels.

In areas like Brickell, high-end dining and elaborate experiences are the norm. At the same time, in areas like Hialeah or North Miami, celebrations are often centered on home-cooked meals and family gatherings.

Despite these vast differences, the underlying message remains the same. Showing appreciation for mothers is important.

Whether at a fine dining brunch table or in the family dining room, the meaning of the day can still be simple.

For many mothers, the most valuable gift isn’t found on a menu, in a store, or on a plane.

It’s being with loved ones.

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