Key Facts:
For most Australians, Mother's Day planning is a last‑minute affair, with around two‑thirds (66%) leaving it until the final two weeks before Mother's Day.
Over half of Australians have left at least one part of Mother's Day planning to the day of.
1 in 4 order same-day flowers.
1 in 5 book restaurants on the day itself.
1 in 6 mums admit they have bought or ordered their own flowers.
Australia – A national survey of 2,000 Australians commissioned by DoorDash found 83% of mums say their mental load is completely underestimated, even on Mother's Day. And despite good intentions, nearly 8 in 10 mums (79%) still take on some level of planning or coordination surrounding their special day.
Instead of resting on Mother's Day, the irony is many mums are still thinking about where and what the family is eating, what groceries are needed, and how the day will run.
When asked what they actually want on Mother's Day, mums were clear and consistent. It is not about big gifts or expensive gestures. It's about not having to think and seeing some effort.
In fact, taking care of the bare minimum ranked far higher than traditional gifts, with 91% of mums saying even small gestures, like a takeaway coffee delivered, would make their day.
80% of the surveyed mums also said the best gift would simply be their family taking care of everything for the day, whilst 28% valued having meals organised, 24% valued quality time, and 22% valued not having to plan anything as the perfect Mother's Day gift.
Indy Clinton, Australian personality, mum-of-three and DoorDash's 2026 Mother's Day Ambassador, says it is the mental juggling that really takes the joy out of the day:
"We don't expect much. Forget the bells and whistles and just take control of the day. It can be last-minute. I just want one day where I'm not the boss and can enjoy a dinner I didn't have to cook, have a pantry I didn't have to fill, or a dinner reservation I didn't book myself."
The survey data goes on to show that many Australians want to get Mother's Day right, but leave it too late:
For most Australians, Mother's Day planning is a last‑minute affair, with around two‑thirds (66%) leaving it until the final two weeks before Mother's Day.
Over half of Australians have left at least one part of Mother's Day planning to the day of.
1 in 4 order same-day flowers.
1 in 5 book restaurants on the day itself.
1 in 6 mums admit they have bought or ordered their own flowers.
Most Australians spend between $50 and $200 and only 10% spend more than $200. Cost consistently ranks lower than effort in terms of what mums value, with quality time (24%), organised meals (28%) and having the day handled (22%) ranking highest on mums wish list.
Podcaster, husband, son, dad, and fellow DoorDash Mother's Day Ambassador for 2026, Dan Gorringe, says the pressure often comes from not knowing what really counts:
"I had more misses than wins on Mother's Day as a son, and now I'm a dad, I really feel the pressure to get it right. I'm relieved to hear I could get out of this without a trip to the jeweller. Organising some takeaway and quality family time sounds manageable. I'll even do the dishes," said Gorringe.
DoorDash says the findings reflect what it sees every year in app behaviour. The DoorDash 2026 Mother's Day survey found that over half of Australians have left at least one part of Mother's Day planning to the same day.
Simon Rossi, Vice President – DoorDash APAC said, "We see it every year, people want to do something meaningful, but they're short on time and ideas. DoorDash removes that pressure by bringing together meals, flowers, groceries and restaurant bookings, so you can take care of Mother's Day in one place, even at the last minute."
On the DoorDash app, Mother's Day same-day ordering is most common for flowers and meals, but the new Reservations feature is also expected to be a popular tool on Mother's Day, with Fathers (21%) and adult children (22%) admitting they're likely to book restaurants last minute.
DoorDash brings meals, flowers, groceries and restaurant bookings together in one place, making it easier to get Mother's Day right, even at the last minute or when you can't be there with mum.
Because the best Mother's Day gift isn't something you buy, it's something you take care of.
