Mother's Day by the numbers: Historical facts, stats and celebrations
Here’s what Americans plan to do on Mother’s Day — plus data points about moms
Mother's Day turns into a food holiday: Chef David Burke
Celebrity chef and restauranteur David Burke discusses the impact of Mother's Day on restaurants and how small businesses are surviving amid the state of the U.S. economy.
Each year, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
As millions of Americans prepare to participate in the annual tradition, FOX Business took a glance at the day’s origins, how much money is spent and key stats on motherhood in the U.S.
Here are a few number-focused facts in honor of Mother’s Day.
AFFORDABLE, THOUGHTFUL AND LOVELY THINGS TO DO FOR YOUR MOM ON MOTHER'S DAY
1. When was the first Mother's Day celebration in the United States?
2. Which U.S. president made Mother's Day official?
3. How many mothers are in the U.S.?
4. How many children are in the U.S.?
5. How much money is spent on Mother's Day?
6. How many flowers are sold on Mother's Day?
7. How many phone calls are made on Mother's Day?
8. How much is spent on Mother's Day gifts?
9. How many Americans go to restaurants on Mother's Day?
Flowers, chocolate candies and cards are popular Mother's Day gifts. (iStock)
1. When was the first Mother's Day celebration in the United States?
Mother’s Day in the U.S. was established on May 12, 1907, according to Britannica. The day was reportedly started by Anna Jarvis, a Philadelphia resident who held a memorial service for her late mother, who died two years prior.
The service was held at Jarvis' mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. Jarvis wanted to create Mother's Day to honor mothers and the sacrifices they made for their children, according to History.com.
1-800-FLOWERS CEO EXPECTING 'STRONG' MOTHER'S DAY DESPITE SOARING INFLATION
2. Which U.S. president made Mother's Day official?
Seven years after commemorative church services spread throughout America for mothers, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
Wilson described Mother’s Day "as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country," according to a copy of his May 9, 1914, proclamation, which is viewable on the National Archives website.
3. How many mothers are in the U.S.?
The U.S. Census reported there were 43.5 million mothers between the ages of 15 and 50 in 2014.
White carnations were originally the symbolic flower of Mother's Day, but now people give flowers of all types to mom, reports 1-800-Flowers. (iStock)
4. How many children are in the U.S.?
In 2019, there were approximately 73 million children in the U.S., according to data from the Children’s Defense Fund.
FLOWER DELIVERY SERVICE LAUNCHES AI BOT ‘MOMVERSE’ THAT CAN WRITE POEMS FOR MOTHER’S DAY
5. How much money is spent on Mother's Day?
Mother’s Day spending for 2023 is projected to reach $35.7 billion, according to forecast data published by the National Retail Federation (NRF).
That estimate is up 12.6% from the NRF's Mother's Day spending forecast from 2022.
The National Retail Federation predicts that Americans will spend an average of $274.02 on gifts Mother’s Day, which is set to take place on Sunday, May 14, 2023. (iStock)
6. How many flowers are sold on Mother's Day?
About 23 million flowers are sold on Mother’s Day each year, according to 1-800-Flowers.com, a leading floral retail company.
MOTHER'S DAY GIFT IDEA: ETERNAL ROSES AND KEEPSAKE BOUQUETS
7. How many phone calls are made on Mother's Day?
Each Mother’s Day, there are about 122 million phone calls made, according to Florida Blue, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
8. How much is spent on Mother's Day gifts?
Americans who plan to celebrate Mother’s Day will spend an average of $274.02 on gifts, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2023 projection.
That estimate is up $28.26 from the Mother's Day gifting forecast the NRF projected last year.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
9. How many Americans go to restaurants on Mother's Day?
Four in 10 American consumers are planning to go to a local restaurant on Mother’s Day, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Forty percent of Americans take their moms out for dinner on Mother's Day. (iStock / iStock)
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
"Historically, Mother’s Day has been one of the most popular holidays to celebrate at restaurants," said Hudson Riehle, the association’s senior vice president of research, in a statement.