It’s not much of a surprise that women and men think differently when it comes to holidays and how they should be celebrated. For many women, Mother’s Day is a day of recognition, a moment to honor all that has been done throughout the years. Mothers sacrifice their bodies during childbirth, create foundations that turn houses into homes, and invest love and care into making everything and everyone grow. Day after day, women are seen sacrificing their peace of mind and their own needs for others, constantly thinking about both the little details and the bigger picture.

Other women can pick up on this. Many would even argue that it’s instilled in us from a young age through what we watch and the environments we grow up in. So daughters often grow up celebrating their mothers with intention, because we are tuned in to what is expected and what is needed from the people we love. Women understand the value of a thoughtful gift or even simple consideration on a global holiday like this. Weeks, sometimes months, go into planning something special not just for their mothers, but for sisters, friends, and even colleagues.

Men, on the other hand, sometimes let the day slip their minds, even though the holiday is advertised weeks in advance. It can start to feel like a secondhand Valentine’s Day: last-minute reservations, rushed trips down store aisles, grabbing teddy bears and flowers that no one really asked for, scratching their heads over what to cook or where to send the kids so mom can finally rest.

Although men and women are wired differently, one thing most would agree on is that Mother’s Day may be a small gesture but it deserves big respect.

Still, could it be that men are simply caught in the middle? With a wife, mother, sister, and mother-in-law all expecting something from you? Not to mention running a company filled with women who want to feel appreciated too. How do you meet the needs of so many when you already carry so much? For some, the day can bring stress and quiet anxiety, even a hint of resentment, wondering whether the same level of consideration would be returned on another holiday.

And then there’s a small group of cavemen who just choose not to remember the day at all. No shade but they should be mentioned. You know the one who ignores both his wife and his mother, leaving his poor sister to save the day. Or the one who uses financial support as justification for skipping a gift for his wife, yet expects her to buy one for his mother and bring the kids over to Nana’s house with flowers and cards lovingly covering up the fact that he couldn’t even show up.

We’ve all been there, and we all know someone like that. Relationships and the health of them play a psychological role in how mothers are treated on this day.

According to a 600-person survey conducted through Google Consumer Surveys and published by Jolly Good Gifts, men and women participate in Mother’s Day celebrations at roughly similar rates, but their methods differ significantly. The survey found that men are 44% more likely than women to give their mothers flowers and 39% more likely to make a phone call. However, men are 19% less likely to send a paper card and 38% less likely to give a special gift. In contrast, women are 61% more likely than men to purchase a special gift and 24% more likely to send a paper card, though they are 28% less likely to call and 31% less likely to give flowers. The survey also noted that 46% of men and 44% of women reported not participating in traditional Mother’s Day activities, with participation varying by age. 70% of respondents under 45 reported celebrating, compared to just 35% of those 55 and older.

Broader consumer data compiled by Gitnux shows that 92% of Americans acknowledge Mother’s Day, making it one of the most widely recognized holidays in the country. The data also indicates that 75% of consumers begin shopping at least two weeks in advance, and women are 60% more likely than men to purchase gifts for other mothers beyond their own.

In Miami, the celebration often carries an added layer of culture and community. In many Hispanic and Caribbean households , which make up a large portion of South Florida, Mother’s Day is rarely a quiet exchange of flowers and cards. It can mean multigenerational brunches in Little Havana, packed church services in North Miami, or entire families gathering at Abuela’s or Nana’s house with food that took two days to prepare. The expectation to show up is not subtle; it’s cultural. In a city where family ties run deep, and motherhood is often honored loudly and collectively, the pressure to celebrate well can feel even greater, especially for sons and daughters navigating tradition, modern schedules, and shifting gender roles.

With all that data and information in mind, it’s fair to say men and women support moms the best way they know how. Still, the numbers suggest that women often lean more toward sentimental and detailed gift-giving not only for their mothers, but for the maternal figures closest to them. This data isn’t meant to belittle or discourage men when it comes to giving. Instead, it’s an invitation, a gentle challenge to approach the day with less stress and more intention.

In the end, it truly is the thought that counts. Thinking about mothers should never feel like a strain or punishment, because they would bend backward for the world without hesitation. Feeling special, loved, and valued is often enough to make her glow. With just a sprinkle of time and effort poured into one day out of the year, the everyday weight of motherhood can feel a little lighter.

The grass is greener where you water it. So in honor of Mother’s Day, don’t forget this small but powerful trick. Show up with care, show up with heart, and maybe next time the love you give won’t just play its part, it will come back around, full circle, right from the start.

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