Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother: Celebrating Moms and Dads with Meaningful Gifts
As adult children, our roles in our parents’ lives change from them caring for us to sometimes us caring for them. But the command to honor your parents remains the same. The fifth commandment, found in Exodus 20:12 (ESV), says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” God gave us a special commandment with a promise—to honor our parents. This reminds us how important it is to show respect, love, and thankfulness to our parents throughout life.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are great opportunities to live out this command by honoring our parents with kindness, meaningful words, and thoughtful gifts that show how much they’re appreciated.
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In this post, we’ll explore what it means to honor our parents biblically, share ideas for celebrating Mom’s Day and Dad’s Day, and suggest gift ideas that resonate with the hearts of grown children wanting to express gratitude. Let’s dive into how we can make these occasions a beautiful reflection of God’s call to honor our parents.
The Biblical Call to Honor Mom and Dad
The Bible provides clear guidance on honoring our parents, a command that extends beyond childhood. Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV) reinforces this:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’”
For adult children, honoring parents isn’t about obedience anymore—it becomes about showing them respect, love, and gratitude. That might look like spending time together, speaking kind words, or giving thoughtful gifts that show we care.
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Proverbs 23:22 (ESV)
This verse reminds us to value our parents’ wisdom and presence, especially as they age. Honoring mom and dad means recognizing their sacrifices, celebrating their role in our lives, and ensuring they feel cherished. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are perfect moments to put this into practice, blending biblical principles with heartfelt celebration.
Celebrating Mother’s Day: Honoring Mom with Love
Mother’s Day happens to be one of my favorite celebrations. As a mom of nine grown and independent children, I count this as one of my greatest accomplishments. Each one is out there making their way in the world, and they all make me proud to be their mama!
Mother’s Day is a time to honor the women who have nurtured, prayed over, and guided young hearts with love and faith.
Proverbs 31 beautifully captures this:
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 (ESV)
As grown children, we can “rise up” by honoring mom with intentional acts of love and gifts that reflect her unique role.
Gift Ideas for Honoring Mom
Here are some thoughtful gift ideas to make Mom’s Day special, each paired with a way to tie it to the theme of honor:
- Personalized Scripture Art
A canvas or framed print featuring Proverbs 31:25 (ESV)—“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come”—personalized with your mom’s name or a family photo. This gift honors her godly character and serves as a daily reminder of her worth. Pair it with a handwritten note expressing gratitude for her strength.
Where to find: Check Etsy or Christianbook.com for customizable Scripture art. In my Etsy Shop, ChristianTeesandMugs, offer some 8 x 10 prints that you can print out at home and put in frame for a really nice gift for Mom. - Spa Day Gift Certificate
Give mom the gift of rest with a spa day or massage voucher. Better yet, make it a couples massage and go with her! 🙂 This reflects Isaiah 66:13 (ESV), “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” A spa experience honors her by encouraging self-care, acknowledging the comfort she’s provided you.
Where to find: Local spas or online platforms or check out Amazon for Spa Gifts. - Custom Jewelry with Birthstones
A necklace or bracelet featuring her children’s or grandchildren’s birthstones symbolizes her legacy. Pair this with a card quoting Proverbs 1:8 (ESV): “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.” This gift honors her role as a wise teacher.
Where to find: Look at local jewelers for personalized pieces. - Devotional Book for Moms
A devotional like The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian, paired with a heartfelt inscription, encourages mom’s spiritual growth. This gift aligns with 2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV), “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.”
Where to find: Available on Amazon or Christianbook.com.
Mother’s Day Celebration Ideas
- Host a Family Brunch: Gather siblings to prepare mom’s favorite meal, giving her a break from cooking. Share stories of her impact during the meal, fulfilling Proverbs 31:31 (ESV): “Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
- Write a Tribute Letter: Pen a letter detailing specific ways mom has shaped your life, referencing a verse like Proverbs 31:26 (ESV), “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
- Plan a Memory Day: Spend the day doing something she loves—whether it’s gardening, watching a classic movie, or visiting a favorite spot—showing honor through quality time.
Celebrating Father’s Day: Honoring Dad with Respect
Father’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the men who have led, provided, and modeled faith.
“The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!” Proverbs 20:7 (ESV)
Honoring Dad means recognizing his strength, integrity, and the lasting impact he’s had on your life. It’s about showing gratitude through thoughtful gifts and actions that reflect who he is—his interests, his wisdom, and the role he’s played in shaping your heart and faith.
Gift Ideas for Honoring Dad
These gifts are designed to honor dad while connecting to biblical principles:
- Custom Photo Book
Create a photo book of memories with dad, from childhood to now, with captions that honor his guidance. Include Deuteronomy 5:16 (ESV): “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long.” This gift celebrates his lifelong impact.
Where to find: Shutterfly or Mixbook offers easy-to-create photo books. - Engraved Leather Bible
A high-quality Bible with dad’s name engraved on the cover is a lasting gift. Make sure you get his favorite translation. 🙂 Include a bookmark with Psalm 103:13 (ESV): “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” This honors his spiritual leadership.
Where to find: Christianbook.com or Lifeway offer personalization options. - Personalized Grilling Set
For dads who love to barbecue, a set of engraved grilling tools reflects his role as a provider. Pair it with 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV), “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This gift celebrates his care for the family.
Where to find: Available on Etsy or Amazon. - Experience Gift: Fishing, Golfing, Hunting
What’s his favorite thing to do? My husband, The Farmer, has no hobbies, except for the farm. So his “Experience Gift” may be something like sitting on the front porch talking about farming. 🙂 But your Dad may enjoy a day of fishing, golf, or another favorite activity, either with you or a voucher for a solo trip. This connects to Proverbs 23:24 (ESV), “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.” Spending time together honors his joy in you.
Where to find: Book through local golf courses or fishing charters.
Father’s Day Celebration Ideas
- Organize a Family Game Night: Host a night of dad’s favorite games, reflecting his role in creating fun family memories. Share a verse like Psalm 127:3 (ESV), “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
- Record a Video Tribute: Have family members record short messages of gratitude for Dad, compiling them into a video. Reference Colossians 3:20 (ESV), “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
- Help with a Project: Offer to assist dad with a home improvement task or hobby project, showing respect for his skills and time.
Honoring Parents in Complicated Relationships
Not all parent-child relationships are easy, and the Bible acknowledges this reality.
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)
If honoring mom or dad feels challenging due to past hurts, consider small steps like a kind note or a prayer for healing. Gifts like a devotional book or a simple card can be a bridge toward reconciliation, offered with grace.
If a relationship is unsafe or abusive, seek wise counsel or professional help, as the Bible does not call us to remain in harm’s way. Psalm 27:10 offers comfort:
“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” Psalm 27:10 (ESV)
Sometimes, honoring our parents means offering forgiveness from a distance and trusting God to do the healing. Not every story is easy, but we can still walk in obedience by letting go of bitterness and leaving the rest in God’s hands.
Bringing It All Together
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are more than holidays. They’re opportunities to live out the biblical command to honor thy father and thy mother. As grown children, we can make Mother’s Day and Father’s Day meaningful by choosing gifts and activities that reflect our parents’ worth in God’s eyes. Whether it’s a personalized Bible, a spa day, or a heartfelt letter, these gestures echo Leviticus 19:3.
“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:3
Let’s commit to honoring mom and dad. Not just on these special days but everyday, with love, respect, and gratitude.
So, what’s your favorite way to celebrate your parents? Share your gift ideas or traditions in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to honor our parents as God intends.
Heavenly Placed is a blog dedicated to encouraging faith-filled living. Explore more posts on family, faith, and biblical wisdom at heavenlyplaced.com.
