Mother’s Day for Domestic Helpers: Simple Ways Employers Can Show Appreciation and Care

Updated 24 January 2026

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Mother’s Day is an important occasion in Hong Kong, and people show their appreciation and love for their mother in different ways. Mothers are usually showered with flowers and gifts and treated with a special meal. It is a perfect opportunity to express our gratitude and make them feel special and loved. It is also an important day for migrant domestic workers, as it is a reminder of their sacrifices and hard work, and a time to celebrate their strength and resilience as mothers and caregivers.

In the Philippines, this special occasion is typically celebrated on the second Sunday of May. It is a special occasion for families to gather and celebrate with their mothers. Children often give their mothers cards, flowers, or other small gifts. Many families also choose to have a special meal together or take their mothers out for a day of pampering and relaxation from tedious household work.

In Indonesia, it is celebrated on December 22nd. On this special occasion, children will often give their mothers flowers, cards, or other small gifts to show their love and care. Families may also gather together for a special meal or to participate in family activities.

In both countries, this day is to show love and gratitude for mothers and to acknowledge their important role in the family.

Domestic Workers’ Stories Sharing

HelperChoice, a licensed ethical domestic helper agency in Hong Kong, has conducted a survey in early May to collect Mother’s Day experiences by a group of migrant domestic workers, both Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers based in Hong Kong. These are the stories they shared in the survey:

“My children always make sure to send loving thoughts, which makes me proud as a mother. They make me feel special as a foreign domestic helper (FDH) who works hard for them, even though we are far apart. But both of us always make sure that our hearts and minds are present in our daily lives.” – Jenny*

“My most memorable experience is when I had the chance to come back home and attend my children’s college ceremony in May, which we all considered as a Mother’s Day gift to me as a mom. I was so happy to see my children appreciate my hard work and sacrifices as a foreign migrant domestic helper. That was the best thing in my whole life that I could celebrate two important events at the same time – Mother’s Day and my children’s graduation! ” – Jill*

One migrant domestic worker recalled her memories with her children back in the Philippines.

“Actually, I don’t have a special or memorable experience on this day, but I want to share with you something that happened when we were together in my motherland. We were very poor and didn’t have enough money to buy food. One day, I only had enough money to buy half a loaf of bread, which was enough only for my children. So, I gave them the bread with some leftover curry and told them that I would go to the kitchen to make something for myself because I wanted to fill their tummies. Later, my child came to me and asked what I was going to eat. I told him that I had food, but he couldn’t find any in the kitchen. Then, he talked with his sister and they kept a piece of bread and gave it to me, saying, ‘Mom, we are so full. You eat this.’ At that moment, my eyes welled up with tears and I hugged my children tightly.”

When asked how to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, most migrant domestic workers responded that they will spend time with other helpers since they are far from home. One domestic worker, Jane* never celebrated this special occasion with her child since she has been out of her country for the employment contract in Hong Kong since 2012.

Another migrant domestic helper Joyce* wrote:

“No celebration. It’s just like an ordinary day, but I am happy if I see my children happy and healthy. Their simple hug and kiss is enough for me to solve all my problems, stress, and worries at work. All of my negative feelings are gone if I know they are doing fine and they are happy. I love my children so much; they are my everything in this world.”

Ideas to Honour Domestic Workers on Mother’s Day 2026

Here are meaningful ways families and employers in Hong Kong can celebrate a domestic worker on Mother’s Day:

1. Heartfelt Words and Recognition

Sometimes the most impactful gift is simply saying “thank you” out loud. A written note, a card from the family, or a shared moment of appreciation helps domestic workers feel seen — not just as helpers, but as women with families and lives of their own.

Domestic workers often juggle care roles both at work and in their personal lives, and a moment of genuine recognition can make a big difference in their day.

2. Thoughtful Gifts That Matter

Consider gifts that reflect personal interests and well-being:

Spa or wellness vouchers
A bouquet of flowers with a personal message
A curated gift box with snacks from home
A voucher for shopping or dining out

These gifts signal thoughtfulness and appreciation, and give your helper something special to enjoy on her own time.

3. Home Leave Support or Travel Assistance

Many domestic workers dream of spending Mother’s Day with their children back home. If your schedule and resources make it possible, contributing to travel plans can be a deeply meaningful gesture. If a full trip isn’t possible, consider helping them plan a local day out or a relaxing weekend escape in Hong Kong.

Being intentional about leave — and clear about timing — shows care and planning that respects both her needs and your family’s.

4. Shared Meals and Family Time

Invite your helper to join the family’s own Mother’s Day celebration. A shared meal — whether at home, in a local restaurant, or even a picnic in one of Hong Kong’s parks — gives everyone a chance to connect. Simple shared experiences are often more memorable than expensive gifts.

5. Memory-Making Moments

Take a photo together or create a small keepsake that she can bring back to her family. Whether it’s a framed photo of a family gathering or a video message from the children, these mementos can become cherished reminders of appreciation.

Practical Notes for Employers

Give clear notice well ahead of any time-off requests or changes to schedules.
Respect statutory holidays and entitlements — including rest days and leave.
Communicate openly about Mother’s Day plans so your helper feels included and respected.

Thoughtfulness is about respect and clarity as much as generosity.

Need A domestic helper in Hong Kong?

If you are an employer, you may check out HelperChoice platform and register an account for free now! You may easily find a list of migrant domestic helpers on the platform sorted by their employment contract status, work experiences, availability, working skills and so on. Meanwhile, you may post a job ad to recruit a foreign domestic helper by stating the employment details, including wage offer (the current minimum wage is HK$4,730/ month by the Hong Kong Labour Department), any extra paid leave, working hours, job duties, your family size (how many person in your family), the last employment contract terminated reason, the relationship with previous employers, the years of working experiences (child care / elderly care / pet care) you prefer and the like.

After you find a domestic helper, HelperChoice team can process domestic helpers’ contract and visa case for you (only applicable to Filipino domestic workers cases) . Click here for more info about the direct hire service or whatsapp our dedicated customer support team.

If you are our Premium Member, you can enjoy a 10% off on our visa processing service for Filipino domestic workers cases.