Key takeaways
- Mother's Day 2027: Sunday, May 9 (the second Sunday in May)
- It is not a statutory holiday, but it is one of the busiest gift days of the year
- Gold keeps value: a 24K coin or bar holds almost all its gold value; jewellery adds a making charge
- Canadian stores mostly sell 10K and 14K; South Asian and Asian stores often sell 22K and 24K
- Order engraving and custom pieces two to three weeks ahead
When is Mother's Day 2027 in Canada?
Mother's Day in Canada is on the second Sunday in May. In 2027 that is Sunday, May 9.
It is not a statutory holiday. Because it is always a Sunday, most people have the day off anyway. Restaurants book up early for brunch, and many stores have longer hours the week before.
Other countries may use a different date. If your mother lives outside Canada, check the local date before you send a gift.
For Hindu families, Akshaya Tritiya, a traditional gold-buying day, falls the day before, on Saturday, May 8, 2027 in Canada. That makes a gold gift a natural fit for many families this year.
Why give gold for Mother's Day?
Flowers fade and chocolates get eaten. Gold is one of the few gifts that keeps a market value. A piece of jewellery can be worn for decades and passed down. A coin or small bar can sit in a drawer and still be worth its weight in gold years later.
That does not mean gold always goes up. Gold prices can go down as well as up. Past prices don't predict future prices. But unlike most gifts, gold can be sold if it is ever needed.
For many families who came to Canada from South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, gold is already part of how mothers are honoured at weddings and festivals. Mother's Day is one more chance to add to that.
What karat of gold should you buy?
| Karat | Gold content | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | Coins, bars, some Chinese and Vietnamese jewellery |
| 22K (916) | 91.6% | Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan jewellery |
| 21K | 87.5% | Gulf and Middle Eastern jewellery |
| 18K | 75% | Fine jewellery, often with diamonds |
| 14K | 58.5% | Most Canadian mall jewellery |
| 10K | 41.7% | Lower-priced Canadian jewellery |
Higher karat is softer and more yellow. Lower karat is harder and better for rings worn every day. For value, the gold content matters most: a 10 g 10K chain has about the same gold as a 4.5 g 22K chain.
How do you avoid overpaying for a Mother's Day gold gift?
- Check the gold value first. Ask for the weight in grams and the karat. Multiply weight by purity by the day's price per gram. For example, at $150 a gram for pure gold, a 5 g 14K pendant holds about $440 of gold.
- Compare the price with the gold value. The gap is design, brand and the store's margin. Big gaps are normal for designer pieces, but you should know what you are paying for.
- Watch "sale" prices. A 50% discount on an inflated price may still cost more than another store's regular price. Compare by weight.
- Check the stamp and the return policy. Look for the karat stamp, and keep the receipt in case it needs to be resized or exchanged.
- Order engraving early. Custom pieces and engraving often take two to three weeks before Mother's Day.
What if your mother lives in another country?
Many newcomers celebrate Mother's Day with a mother who lives far away. Shipping gold jewellery overseas is costly and can be risky, and customs rules differ by country. Some simpler options:
- Send money for her to buy a piece locally. She can choose the design, and you avoid shipping. Check the local gold price first so you know what the money will buy.
- Buy here and give it in person on your next visit. Read the customs rules for carrying gold before you travel.
- Hold gold for her in Canada as a keepsake you hand over later.
Compare prices in the gold price in India, the Philippines or Pakistan pages, and check gold carry limits by country.
What are good Mother's Day gold gift ideas?
- Under about $100: a gold-plated or 10K charm, a small amount of 24K gold savings, a silver piece with a gold accent
- A keepsake: a 1 g or 2.5 g 24K bar in a gift card, or a 1/10 oz gold coin
- To wear every day: 14K stud earrings, a fine chain with an initial or birthstone pendant
- Something traditional: 22K bangles, earrings (jhumkas) or a chain for a South Asian mother; a 24K bracelet for a Chinese or Vietnamese mother
- From the grandchildren: a charm for each grandchild on one bracelet
If you want to start very small, RemitBee Gold, a new product coming in early 2027, plans to sell pure 24K gold from $10 at the live market price. Join the waitlist at gold.remitbee.com.
To price any piece before you buy, use our gold value calculator and check the gold price per gram in Canada.