What to write in a Mother’s Day card

The hardest thing about a Mother’s Day card is that the shop-bought ones all say the same enormous thing, and most relationships are more specific than that. Pick one memory or one habit of hers. If the relationship is complicated, warmth without declaration is a perfectly honest place to land — “thinking of you today” is a real card.

Warm

Friendly, unfussy, safe with almost anybody.

• Happy Mother’s Day. For mum, with love.
• Thank you for everything, today and the rest of the year.
• Happy Mother’s Day — I hope someone else does the cooking.
• Thinking of you today, with a lot of love.
• Happy Mother’s Day. You’ve earned a quiet one.

Funny

A joke with affection behind it. Read the room first.

• Happy Mother’s Day. Sorry about the teenage years.
• Thank you for not giving up on me, repeatedly.
• Happy Mother’s Day. I’m told I get it from you.
• You raised me, so technically this card is your own fault.
• Happy Mother’s Day. Put your feet up and let someone else find things for once.

Heartfelt

For the people you would actually say this to out loud.

• Thank you for the things I only understood later. Happy Mother’s Day.
• Happy Mother’s Day. So much of what I’m glad about in myself came from you.
• I don’t say it enough: thank you, for all of it.
• Happy Mother’s Day — I’m very lucky, and I know it.
• Thinking of you today and always. With love.

Simple

When short is the right answer, and it often is.

• Happy Mother’s Day!
• Happy Mother’s Day, with love.
• Thinking of you today.
• Thank you for everything. Happy Mother’s Day.
• Lots of love on Mother’s Day.

What to avoid

• Don’t use the phrase “world’s best mum” if you want it to sound like you.
• Don’t write a card that could be sent to anyone’s mother.
• Don’t force a declaration if the relationship is difficult — warmth is enough.
• Don’t mention how long it has been since you called.