Did you know there’s an entire day dedicated to appreciating the unsung hero in many families—the mother-in-law? National Mother-in-Law Day falls on the fourth Sunday of October, giving families a perfect reason to celebrate the important women who offer wisdom, love, and support (though sometimes with a pinch of unsolicited advice!).
Surprisingly, this day is one of the oldest in our calendar. The first National Mother-in-Law Day was celebrated in the United States back in 1934, almost a century ago. A newspaper in Amarillo, Texas, suggested dedicating a day to recognize and appreciate mothers-in-law. Though it hasn’t become as popular as Mother’s Day, it’s a fantastic opportunity to strengthen family bonds and show gratitude.
Mothers-in-law often play a unique role in the family dynamic. For many, she’s the one who raised your partner and, over time, becomes an integral part of your life. Whether you have a close relationship or you’re working on it, National Mother-in-Law Day is the perfect time to show her you care.
When Is National Mother-in-Law Day Observed?
National Mother-in-Law Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of October each year. This means the exact date changes annually, but it always falls toward the end of October, giving families a chance to recognize and appreciate their mother-in-law just before the holiday season kicks in.
Here’s a helpful list of National Mother-in-Law Day dates, should you need that. You can use this to plan ahead for thoughtful celebrations each year!
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | October 27, Sunday |
| 2025 | October 26, Sunday |
| 2026 | October 25, Sunday |
| 2027 | October 24, Sunday |
| 2028 | October 22, Sunday |
| 2029 | October 28, Sunday |
| 2030 | October 27, Sunday |
How to Celebrate National Mother-in-Law Day
There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate this day, as long as the effort is sincere and comes from the heart. At the end of the day, it’s the thought and care behind your actions that will leave a lasting impression. So, however you decide to celebrate National Mother-in-Law Day, just be sure to make her feel seen, loved, and valued. However, if you need some fresh ideas on how to celebrate this day, why not try one of these?
Plan a Special Meal
Cooking her favorite meal or taking her out to her favorite restaurant shows you’ve put thought into the day. A shared meal provides time to bond, catch up, and create new memories.
Give a Thoughtful Gift
Gifts don’t have to be extravagant. A beautiful card with a handwritten note, a bouquet of her favorite flowers, or even a framed photo of a cherished family moment will make her day. Personal touches are always appreciated.
Organize a Family Get-Together
If your mother-in-law enjoys family gatherings, why not plan a small celebration? Gather the family for a fun day at the park, a game night, or a cozy dinner. It’s a great way to bring everyone together.
Offer a Helping Hand
If she’s the kind of woman who’s always taking care of others, maybe she could use a little help around the house. Offer to do some chores, run errands, or help with a project she’s been meaning to get to.
Spend Quality Time
Sometimes the best gift is your time. Take her out for a day of activities she loves—whether it’s shopping, hiking, or just sitting on the porch with a cup of tea and good conversation.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
