Turn a simple weekend visit into something Mom (or any maternal figure in your life) will always remember.
Hosting guests always takes a little planning, but when it’s your parents-especially your mother-some extra care goes a long way. Whether her visit falls around , a birthday weekend, or simply a quiet stretch in August, this is your chance to send back some of the love she’s poured into you.
We spoke with lifestyle experts and dug into our archives to share easy, thoughtful ways to make hosting Mom for the weekend feel both memorable and manageable. With an intentional effort, you can make a routine visit feel more like a heartfelt thank you.
1. Pick Up Fresh Flowers
Let’s get the really easy stuff out of the way first: What house guest doesn’t love fresh flowers? Pick up an arrangement or two without overthinking the cost or quality-you aren’t looking for professional, bridal-level blooms here-just a quick pick-me-up that beautifies your space.
“My mom always put fresh flowers in the guest room growing up, so now I do the same when she comes to visit-except mine are usually from Trader Joe’s and still in the plastic wrap until 10 minutes before she arrives,” says influencer, comedian, and chef Sara Buckley. It’s a small gesture, but it sets the tone for the weekend ahead: warm, thoughtful, and welcoming.
2. Stock the Linen Cabinet and Bathroom
Any weekend guests will likely need access to the essential bed and bath linens, along with a few extras (two sets of towels, extra pillows, and a spare blanket). But for Mom, step it up a notch.
Give her a few extras, like a she can take home and a new pair of slippers she can take or leave behind for her next visit. If the guest room has its own bathroom, turn it into a spa getaway with fancy bath salts, face masks, and soothing lotions.
3. Organize the Nightstand
If you’re lucky enough to fit a nightstand in your guest bedroom, make use of it. Trust us: A well-stocked nightstand can support a restful slumber, especially when sleeping away from home. Make sure it has a reading lamp and glass for water. If you can fit a small pitcher, too, do it.
Add an extension cord to the outlet to make charging her electronics a cinch, and if your mom is old-school, you may even need a digital alarm clock. To make it feel truly thoughtful, tuck in some items you know your mom loves, like her favorite magazine (we’re partial to Better Homes & Gardens), a go-to snack, and a lavender room spray.
4. Create a Custom Playlist
If you have Bluetooth speakers, make a playlist to play during your mom’s stay, and fill it with songs that will get her dancing, laughing, or reminiscing. Music enriches any moment-whether you’re cooking together to a familiar pop hit or sipping some tea on the back patio with a little jazz in the background.
The right song can even stir up some nostalgia and a few happy tears, and that’s perfectly OK. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your mom ahead of time which artists she loves and build from there.
5. Prepare Food She Likes
Do a larger grocery shop before your mom comes so that your pantry is stocked with what she eats and drinks regularly on hand. This thoughtful gesture shows that you appreciate her but also know her enough to pick up her favorite coffee or breakfast staple, for example.
“When my mom visits, I kind of turn the weekend into her own little food getaway-but without making a big deal out of it,” says Stephen Ingber, executive chef and owner of Mile High Cook. “I’ll pick up stuff I know she likes, mostly simple things. Like, she loves scones with her coffee in the morning, so I’ll bake some the day before she gets in. Nothing too fancy-just butter and jam on the side.”
6. Set the Table
Anything you can do in advance of your mom’s stay will give you more time throughout to enjoy her company. So set the table and include a bright centerpiece.
“I like to set the table nicely for dinner. Not formal or anything-just a tablecloth, real napkins, maybe a menu card if I have a few extra minutes,” Ingber says. “She always laughs when I do it, but I can tell she enjoys it. It’s more about the vibe than anything else. I just want it to feel like I put in the effort, you know?”
7. Find Opportunities to Eat Together
A weekend goes by really fast, so if you can, carve out some meal time in advance-even if it’s just one planned dinner. Think about ways to make that meal extra special, whether it’s making a childhood staple, one of her favorites, or just something you normally don’t eat.
Shared meals have a way of bringing out all the feels: Even if it’s just the she used to make you growing up, she’ll pick up on the gesture (be ready for a heartfelt conversation).
8. Give Her the Gift of Time
Perhaps the most important idea on this list is the one that’s often overlooked in our fast-paced, tech-driven world: Be as present as you can and put your phone down (unless you’re taking pictures).
“One of the best gifts I can give my mom on Mother’s Day or any day of the year is the gift of time, which she modeled for me when growing up,” says Sara McDaniel, owner of Simply Southern Cottage.
“When hosting my mom for the weekend‚ or anytime, it is truly a gift when I unplug and give her my devoted attention,” she continues. “Whether it’s long talks, sitting on the front porch in my rocking chairs, planting new pots of flowers, taking a walk through my historic neighborhood, or simply treating her to her favorite meal, the one thing that truly makes my mom the happiest when I entertain her and it doesn’t cost a cent.”
