How to Celebrate Mother’s Day When You’re Not a Mother — But Planning to Be

Mother’s Day this year might bring up a mix of emotions for women who are not yet mothers, but are planning—or hoping—to become one in the future. It’s a beautiful, heartfelt day meant to honor the immense love and labor of motherhood. But what if you’re still on the journey toward that role? Whether you’re actively trying, planning, preparing, or simply dreaming, Mother’s Day this year can still be a meaningful moment of self-reflection, joy, and celebration. You deserve to honor the nurturing spirit already blooming within you.

In this 3000-word guide, we’ll explore how to celebrate yourself on Mother’s Day—even if you’re not quite a mom yet. We’ll also include plenty of inspiration, self-care ideas, and even some unique Mother Day gifts you can treat yourself to. Because the journey toward motherhood is worth honoring, every step of the way.

1. Acknowledge Your Journey — Whatever It Looks Like

First, give yourself permission to acknowledge where you are. Whether you’re undergoing fertility treatment, starting the adoption process, preparing emotionally for motherhood, or simply envisioning it as part of your future, your experience is valid.

Journaling can be a powerful way to honor this journey. Try writing a letter to your future child, or a letter from your future self to your present self, recognizing your hopes, fears, and growth.

You may also want to take a quiet moment to light a candle, meditate, or sit in a beautiful place and reflect on the meaning of motherhood in your life.

2. Create Your Own Ritual of Nurturing

Motherhood begins with nurturing—and that includes nurturing yourself. One beautiful way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year is to begin a personal ritual of care and intention.

Ideas include:

• A solo nature walk
• Cooking a nourishing meal just for you
• Drawing a warm bath and adding herbs or oils that symbolize fertility, love, or strength (think: rose, lavender, or chamomile)
• Making or buying yourself a symbolic piece of jewelry—maybe a ring with your birthstone and an empty space for your future child’s

This isn’t about trying to replace traditional motherhood milestones, but instead, honoring what’s already blooming within you.

3. Surround Yourself with Supportive Energy

Mother’s Day can be emotionally charged, especially if your journey to motherhood has had challenges. Consider spending the day with friends or family who understand and support you.

Or take the opposite approach: spend it solo, free from expectations. You might:

• Book a weekend away
• Attend a women’s wellness retreat
• Take yourself to a movie or museum

Surrounding yourself with the right energy is essential. Protect your space from comparisons and unnecessary pressure. You are allowed to make this day about your future motherhood, and not just what you see on social media.

4. Treat Yourself to a Thoughtful Gift

Let’s be honest—part of the fun of Mother’s Day is the gifts. So why not give yourself the kind of perfect Mother’s Day gift you’d hope to receive someday?

Here are some new mother gifts that also work beautifully for someone preparing for motherhood:

• A cozy loungewear set for comfort and care
• A gratitude or fertility journal
• A guided meditation app subscription
• A handmade ceramic mug that says “Mama-to-be” or your nickname for your future child
• A personalized necklace with a charm that symbolizes hope

These make amazing gifts for new moms, but they’re also meaningful gifts for mother figures in the making—like you.

5. Make a Vision Board for Future Motherhood

Visualizing your dreams is a powerful step toward bringing them to life. Why not spend part of Mother’s Day this year creating a vision board?

Gather:

• Old magazines
• A poster or corkboard
• Scissors, glue, and your imagination

Include photos of mothers and children, phrases that inspire you, elements of the life you want to build—whether it’s a cozy home, playful traditions, or values like creativity and empathy. This can help you connect with your vision in a tactile, joyful way.

6. Reflect on the Mothers Who Came Before You

Mother’s Day isn’t just about literal mothers—it’s also about ancestral connections, the feminine line, and the people who mothered us in ways big and small.

Spend time honoring your mom, grandmother, or any woman who helped shape you. This can look like:

• Calling or writing a heartfelt message
• Cooking a recipe that’s been passed down
• Lighting a candle in memory or honor of someone special

You can also create a list of traits or lessons you hope to pass down one day. Even if you’re not yet a mom, you’re already carrying this wisdom within you.

7. Plan a Day of Empowerment and Fun

This isn’t a somber day—it’s a celebration. So lean into joy! Plan a day that feels playful, indulgent, and full of vitality.

Consider:

• Booking a photo shoot to capture your strength and beauty
• Hosting a brunch with other women on similar journeys
• Learning something new: a cooking class, creative writing, or dance
• Booking a prenatal massage or reiki session if you’re trying to conceive

Make this day about celebrating the full expression of you.

8. Connect with Communities of Aspiring Mothers

You’re not alone. Online and in-person, there are vibrant communities of women on the path to motherhood. Whether through fertility forums, trying-to-conceive groups, or wellness circles, consider connecting with others.

You might:

• Join a Facebook group for aspiring moms
• Follow an Instagram account that shares positive fertility stories
• Attend a local support meetup or circle

Sharing experiences, offering support, and simply feeling seen can be healing.

9. Write Yourself a Letter to Open on Your First Mother’s Day

One tender and powerful ritual: write yourself a letter to open on your first Mother’s Day after becoming a mom. Fill it with hope, encouragement, and wisdom from your current self.

Store it in a box with something symbolic—a small gift, a photo, or a note. Let it be a promise that you are holding space for this transformation.

You may also want to write a short letter to your future child, letting them know how much they are already loved.

10. Redefine Motherhood on Your Own Terms

At the heart of it all: remember that motherhood is expansive. It’s about care, creativity, nourishment, and strength. Whether you become a biological parent, foster, adopt, or simply hold a nurturing role in your community, you can claim the title in your own way.

Mother’s Day this year can be about honoring your mothering energy, not a calendar status. Celebrate your intuition. Your generosity. Your love.

And when in doubt, treat yourself. Some unique Mother Day gifts you can give yourself:

• A self-care box curated by you, for you
• A beautiful book about womanhood or motherhood
• A houseplant you name after your future child
• A digital detox day just for mental clarity

Remember: You are not waiting to become whole. You are whole now.

Final Thoughts

Celebrating Mother’s Day this year as a woman who isn’t yet a mother—but wants to be—can be deeply empowering. By acknowledging your journey, creating rituals of care, and even giving yourself the perfect Mother’s Day gift, you make space for honoring yourself right now.

Whether you’re still on the path or just beginning to think about motherhood, this day belongs to you too.

And if you know someone else in this stage of life, consider giving them a thoughtful token. Gifts for new moms aren’t just for after the baby arrives. They can also be for the courageous women who are preparing to become mothers in mind, body, and heart.

So, go ahead—celebrate yourself this Mother’s Day. Because you are already a mother in the making.