Breakfast in Bed Ideas for Mother’s Day

Learn how to set up a relaxing, sweet, and heartfelt breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day (or any day!) with these easy tips.

For Motherโ€™s Day this year, you really want to make Mom feel special. You want her day to start out with luxurious relaxation and peaceful reflection. You want to give her the royal treatment! 

After all, she is the queen of the house.

And on this special day set aside just for her, youโ€™d like her morning to start out with sumptuous pampering. I know that I, for one, would not argue with that! :)

So, in that vein, Iโ€™d like to invite you to my perfect Motherโ€™s Day morning daydream. You see, in order to know what mothers want, you need to jump inside the head of one for a quick moment.

Primary bedroom with a breakfast tray for mom on Mother's Day for breakfast in bed inspiration.

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A Perfect Motherโ€™s Day Morning

My perfect Motherโ€™s Day morning starts out by sleeping until I truly feel rested. No 6am wake up call, no one needing an ipad screen time passcode, and no needing to break up a brawl between rowdy boys over toothpaste. Just peacefully opening my eyes feeling fresh as a daisy. 

(Quick disclaimer: I love my kids more than anything, but sleep and tranquil mornings have been a scarce commodity in our household for more than a decade now. So in my Motherโ€™s Day daydream, this mom is definitely sleeping in!)

Next, Iโ€™m served with a light and delicious breakfast that exquisitely hits the spot. After eating, thereโ€™s no rush. Only heaps of time and leisure. 

So I grab my book and relax in bed for a bit, propped up on my ultra fluffy pillows, reading and lazing away while I sip my decadent coffee. My to-do list is magically blank, instead of blinking in my mind like a lit-up Vegas sign. 

*Sighhhhhhhh*

Doesnโ€™t that sound just perfect?? 

If it sounds similar to what youโ€™d like for the Mom in your life, then read on for an easy guide to giving her the perfect breakfast in bed on Motherโ€™s Day!

If you think mom would love a more formal sit down brunch instead, there’s ideas and inspiration in this post!

Decadent breakfast in bed tray for mom

How to Make Mom Breakfast in Bed

So youโ€™ve decided you want to pamper Mom with a Motherโ€™s Day breakfast in bed, but youโ€™re not sure where to start. Donโ€™t worry! With a little pre-planning, you can create a really lovely experience for her, without going to extravagant lengths.

Letโ€™s break it down to the basics. 

Youโ€™ll need: 

  • A tray
  • Food
  • Drink
  • Linen or napkins
  • Silverware
  • Fresh flowers
  • Something sentimental

Iโ€™m about to go over each one and give you my best tips and ideas, so you can plan with ease and show Mom how much sheโ€™s loved!

breakfast in bed tray for mother's day inspiration with a mimosa and coffee

Serve Her Breakfast on a Bed Tray

It feels so special to be served breakfast on a tray! Whether itโ€™s room service at a fancy hotel, or hor d’oeuvres at a fun event, trays signify that the food they hold has been prepared for a special occasion. 

Donโ€™t have a tray handy? No need to stress. You can improvise with a large cutting board, a serving platter, or even by scooting a small side table up to her bed.  

wood tray
wicker tray
round tray
Fresh fruit and pastries on a breakfast tray

Breakfast in Bed – Food Ideas

Personally, I like a light breakfast. I donโ€™t wake up with a roaring appetite, so Iโ€™m perfectly satisfied with fresh fruit and my americano. 

But some moms need a more substantial first meal, so my advice is to know thy mother! 

What are her favorite breakfast foods? What flavors does she rave about? What does she usually order at restaurants in the mornings? What are her dietary restrictions? This is your starting point. 

A special occasion breakfast will usually include a protein, and a carb or two. Make sure to mix sweet and savory foods.

I also recommend incorporating some fresh fruit into the mix. Fresh fruit creates a balanced-feeling meal with restaurant vibes. (Fruit is technically a carb, but itโ€™s full of fiber and whoโ€™s counting on Motherโ€™s Day? ๐Ÿ˜‰)

Below are some popular breakfast foods from each category. Keeping in mind what Mom likes, you can pick out items from this list to build her perfect breakfast menu!

Protein:

  • Eggs made to order
  • Omelet
  • Quiche
  • Egg soufflรฉ
  • Bacon or Prosciutto
  • Sausage
  • Cheese
  • Greek yogurt
Croissant with powdered sugar on a breakfast tray

Carb:

  • Croissant
  • Toast or French Toast
  • Bagel
  • Donuts
  • Pancakes or Crepes
  • Waffle
  • Danish
  • Biscuit
  • Cinnamon roll
  • Muffin
  • Scone
  • Hash browns / Breakfast potatoes
  • Oatmeal
  • Grits

Donโ€™t forget to include any maple syrup, jellies, jams, butter, honey, cream cheese, or condiments that she loves!

Tip from Nina: For a fresh fruit side, go with a banana on the side or a bowl of blueberries or mixed berries, melons, or orange slices. These tend to be the most common choices, as they pair nicely with a lot of traditional breakfast foods. 

When figuring out food for Momโ€™s breakfast in bed menu, donโ€™t feel like you need to make everything from scratch. I promise you, the mom in your life will appreciate her favorite restaurant or store-bought breakfast goodies just as much as homemade ones! 

Wooden breakfast in bed tray with patries and a french press

Breakfast in Bed – Drink Ideas

A proper breakfast in bed will need to include a delicious drink or two! If Mom is a coffee drinker, youโ€™ll want to serve her favorite coffee or espresso drink. Be sure to use her favorite mug, and include any extras she may need, like cream or sweetener. 

If sheโ€™d like a mimosa, serve up that combination of orange juice and bubbly in a champagne flute for a lavish feel. 

Incorporate a glass of refreshing ice water to keep her feeling nice and hydrated. 

Break out the Fancy Linens

The simple gesture of including a beautiful napkin or fancy linen will really make her breakfast tray feel special. You just need one! When in doubt, stick with a white linen. It goes with everything, and is a classic. 

Silverware

Youโ€™ll need to include the cutlery needed for the food items on your tray. A fork or a spoon might be obvious, but donโ€™t forget to include a butter knife if she likes jam on her biscuit! 

White nightstand with fresh flowers and a mercury glass lamp

Fresh Flowers

Nothing says โ€œHappy Motherโ€™s Dayโ€ like a spring bouquet of fresh flowers! They can be store bought, or picked from the yard. Put together your own bouquet, or buy one thatโ€™s pre-arranged. 

You can put a full sized arrangement on her bedside table, like the beautiful tulips I have pictured, or include a short, petite vase on her breakfast tray. Either way, sheโ€™ll love the touch of greenery. 

Have no idea where to start with flowers? 

Pink tulips in a vase

You canโ€™t go wrong with roses, peonies, or tulips. 

Go for soft colors like pretty pinks. If youโ€™re harvesting your own flowers, look for daisies, lilacs, violets, or any other blooming wildflowers. 

Series of three framed prints above a bed with botanical artwork.

Give Mom Something from the Heart

Finish your breakfast tray by including something sentimental, like an original work of art, a card, or a letter expressing your appreciation. Make sure to really personalize it and take the time to articulate what she means to you. 

And have a box of tissues handy! 

Wishing all the Moms a Happy Motherโ€™s Day

I have a distinct childhood memory of my brother and I setting out to make our Mom a Motherโ€™s Day breakfast one year, and we decided sheโ€™d love some delicious pancakes. When we couldnโ€™t readily find a few of the needed ingredients, we came up with our own creative substitutes, as children tend to do! :) 

I found out much later that the pancakes were completely inedible, but Mom never let on at the time. And now itโ€™s one of my favorite family stories. ๐Ÿค

Light-filled bedroom with white linens and breakfast in bed tray for Mother's Day.

I hope this guide helps you create a special morning for the lovely Mom in your life. Sheโ€™ll appreciate any efforts you make if it comes from the heart. 

And to all the beautiful moms out there – this oneโ€™s for you! I hope your Motherโ€™s Day is full of love, relaxation, pampering, and mimosas. ;) 

Cheers! 

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27 Comments

  1. Hi Nina,

    I love the colours!! It is neutral and go with everything. We are on the farm in South Africa and your style is looking so good here.

  2. Love it all…it’s so elegant! Hope you can Enjoy every moment in your wonderful retreat. may your daydreams come true. Have a great 2020!

  3. Beautiful space! Do you mind sharing where your nightstands are from? I looked in the sources but I’m not seeing links for the tables. Thanks so much! :)

  4. beautiful room! My bed is almost identical one, the Alessandra bed from Ethan Allen, and I did a similar wood finish and a pearl leather (I overpaid though!) Can you tell me where the window shades are from ? I need for my new master bathroom. Thank you.

  5. Love all that you do. I’m amazed at how clean, bright and inviting you make everything look and I know its anything but simple! Love the basket at the foot of your bed.

  6. Love the Room! Could you please source the rug, it is exactly what I have been looking for.

    Thanks,
    Alyssa

  7. Hi! Your room is lovely! I love your bed! I tried using the link you posted in your comments and can’t seem to find it. Any thoughts?

  8. Love the white washed bed! I’m not able to find it on the Joss and Main website, could you post the link? I could only find the Oak finish and solid white. Thanks! Such a beautiful room!

  9. Nina, what a gorgeous retreat! Love your writing style too, made me laugh and I can totally relate as a mom of 3 boys. Beautiful photography in every photo. So fun getting to know your blog through this tour together! Happy Mother’s day! May your kids let you sleep in and your breakfast in bed be scrumptious and “calorie free” ;)
    xo

  10. Oh Nina… this so elegant and beautiful. Such a wonderful retreat!!!
    And your daydream of breakfast in bed and reading until you are ready to be done sounds magnificent. :)

  11. Nina, your room is a sanctuary! It is so beautiful! & Tulips are my favorite! I just posted my room with white tulips ;)

  12. Nina,
    I know about that “blinking Vegas sign” in your head! I have one all the time, not just in the morning. Wish I could turn it off – it’s guilt-producing and annoying!
    Can you source your lovely mug for us?
    And also, what would you call the finish on your new bed? I’d like to try and reproduce that if possible.

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