Every mother carries little pieces of herself beyond being a parent - the girl who loved dressing up, painting, stitching, dancing, or simply doing things for the joy of it. This Mother's Day, instead of just planning flowers or brunches, try becoming a genie to that side of her. Bring back an activity she once loved and do it with her. We tried this with three mothers, recreating hobbies and rituals they had drifted away from, and what returned was more than nostalgia - it was joy, confidence, comfort, and the feeling of being seen again. Here's how they experienced it, and how you can try it too.
Dress her up and take her out
If your mother once loved dressing up, turn Mother's Day into a full glam day for her - styled outfits, statement jewellery, professional makeup, pictures, and a day out where she gets to feel celebrated. For Mrs Rita Roy, who once loved recreating film-inspired looks in her younger days, the experience became a chance to relive that excitement again. Since becoming a widow, she had slowly stopped paying attention to dressing up or taking time out for herself. This Mother's Day, her daughters Surabita Roy and Sushmita Roy stepped in, dressing her in designer outfits and jewellery she had never worn before, giving her a glimpse into the glamorous world her model daughter is familiar with. 'I didn't know how to do it anymore… it felt a little difficult,' Rita admits, before adding, 'but I liked it a lot.' Compliments from strangers and the experience of professionally getting ready brought back an old confidence. 'Earlier, I used to feel happy seeing myself. Today, I felt that again,' she says. For Sushmita, the best part was watching her mother enjoy the moment without worrying about anyone else. 'She was excited about her own outfit for once. We hadn't seen that in a long time.' Rita's advice to other mothers: 'Don't think you're too old for these things. Start small and enjoy it.'
Create an art date at home or attend one
If your mother once loved painting, sketching, or getting creative, turn Mother's Day into an art date, either at home or through a simple workshop together. For Rita Jaiswal, painting was once instinctive, something she loved as a child, before life got busy. This Mother's Day, her son Sreyansh Jaiswal brought it back with paints, paper, and no pressure. 'I didn't even know where to start… it felt like I had forgotten something that was once so natural,' Rita says. But slowly, the hesitation faded. 'After a point, I stopped thinking and just enjoyed it. It felt peaceful, like I was back in that time.' For Sreyansh, the best part was watching his mother truly slow down. 'She's always thinking about what needs to be done next. That day, she was just sitting and enjoying herself.' The same idea is shaping Mother's Day workshops across the city too. At a mirror-painting session hosted by a cafe at Salt Lake, the focus is on letting people 'sip, paint and chill'. 'Some are coming with their moms, while some are making gifts for them,' says Prithika Deb. 'It's a very simple activity, but also a way to spend meaningful time together.' Rita's tip to other mothers: 'Don't overthink it. Just start. Slowly, your hands remember.'
Learn the hobby she once loved
If your mother enjoys embroidery, stitching, knitting, crochet, or any handmade craft, turn Mother's Day into a simple sit-down activity where you do it together and let her teach you what she once knew by heart. For Subhasree Goswami, embroidery was once a calming space of self-expression. 'I used to sit for hours, just working on a piece… it made me feel very calm and complete,' she says. Over time, it faded from everyday life, but this Mother's Day her daughter Tiyasha Goswami brought it back by learning alongside her. 'At first, I wondered if I still had the same hand for it,' Subhasree admits, 'but once I started, it all came back.' What began as a short activity stretched into hours of stitching and stories. 'We thought we'd do it for half an hour, but it just kept going… it became less about stitching and more about spending time together,' says Tiyasha. For Subhasree, the experience felt layered: 'It felt like I was going back to that time in my life, but also sharing it forward.'
Mother's Day goes activity-first
This Mother's Day, Kolkata is shifting towards activity-led celebrations, from cake-decorating workshops and Mahjong mornings to handwritten notes and bonding sessions built around doing things together. 'We wanted it to feel relaxing and familiar for mothers… a space where people can sit, talk, have fun and strengthen their bond,' says Sakshi Balasaria, founder of SŌKO, whose workshop saw extra demand. At Daily cafe, chef Urvika Kanoi's 'Moms and Mahjong' taps into a familiar joy: 'They may not always take time out for themselves because of work and home, but they will make time for Mahjong because it brings them joy.' At Flurys, cupcakes come with handwritten notes. 'These simple gestures are what parents cherish most,' says Operations Manager Chiranjib Maity. But the bigger shift is beyond workshops, towards breaking routine itself: cycling trails, kayaking, flea markets, trampoline parks, or simply doing something unexpected that lets mothers step out of everyday roles and into something playful and their own.
