5 Acts of Kindness You Can Perform for Mother's Day

From childhood to adulthood, our mothers consistently demonstrate what it means to be truly giving.

To show Mom how much you appreciate her, why not plan something meaningful for Mother’s Day? Treating her to brunch or sending flowers are popular gestures, but year after year, they may start to feel routine and pricey. According to a survey, Mother’s Day shoppers spent approximately $21.4 billion in 2016. When it comes to celebrating Mom, however, it’s not about how much money you spend; it’s about how you make her feel.

Instead of searching for gifts, look for opportunities to show kindness in other ways. Research shows that being kind to others increases our own levels of happiness as well as theirs. So to help you make these special women feel loved and appreciated, here are 5 kind things you can do for your mom (or any mom!) on Mother’s Day—or any day of the year.

Write a Thank-You Letter

When was the last time you sent someone a handwritten letter? Write your mom a letter to tell her how much she means to you. A study from the University of Pennsylvania shows that writing and delivering a gratitude letter doesn