After two years of mellow Mother's Days, families are venturing out for the holiday and returning to old routines. Flowers have been ordered, reservations made and South Shore residents have purchased tens of thousands of dollars worth of gifts. 

The National Retail Federation predicts record-high spending of $31.7 billion, up from $28.1 billion spent for Mother's Day in 2021. Greeting cards followed by flowers and special outings top the federation's survey of what consumers will purchase most of this year.

"It's always a big holiday for us and we love making everybody enjoy it with sending flowers," Missy Battista, owner of Kingston Florist, said.

Battista said tulips, hydrangeas and gerbera daisies have been popular picks this year. Customers come looking for "bright and cheery," long-lasting flowers, she said.

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"It's really busy," Battista said. "Last year was actually extremely busy as well. It's been pretty consistent since COVID because people weren't able to go see each other but they needed to acknowledge their loved ones on such holidays."

Between brunch, dinner and family activities, shoppers at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham on Sunday are among the 57% of Americans who will show up for their moms this year with a "special outing." 

Lisa Fitzgerald, of Duxbury, will continue a family tradition with her husband and 11- and 14-year-old kids: they will go to the nursery to buy plants. 

For some, Mother's Day is an extended family affair. Pam Mouchlian, of Braintree, mom to 3- and 1-year-olds, said she will go out to dinner with her immediate family, mom, mother-in-law, brother, and his wife.

Lila Chabra, 17, of Marshfield, said while her mom will be out of town, she is taking her grandma out for the holiday. She and her brothers are giving their mom a massage as a gift.

A spa experience is a popular present this season – 30% of consumers are expected to gift a personal service. Julie Mahoney, president and owner of Oasis Day Spa, in Weymouth, said the most popular Mother's Day gifts are a $100 gift card or the "retreat" package, a four-hour experience with a facial, massage, manicure and pedicure. 

"We are doing a lot (of gift cards) online ... But we'll have clients who will buy them for their friends or family, and we'll start to see the men come in...There will be lines of men on Saturday trying to get their last-minute gift cards," Mahoney said. 

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"It makes a great gift for anyone because the way we advertise is, it's the gift of time. Many moms are just so crazy busy, just to have some personal time for herself is very important," Mahoney said. 

Mahoney said Mother's Day is their second-busiest gift card season after Christmas. Lorrie Campbell, co-owner of Whitney Gordon's Jewelers in Hingham, seconded that in terms of jewelry sales. 

The National Retail Federation reports 41% of consumers will buy jewelry for Mother's Day, up from 34% last year. 

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The Mother's Day rush tends to come Friday and Saturday, Campbell said. Her store carries sterling silver, 14 karat gold and precious stones. For the holiday, people shop for tennis bracelets, earring and birthstone jewelry.

"Very often we have dad and the children come in and he'll let his children pick out a gift for mom that's special to them," Campbell said. "The kids look through the cases and say 'I think that looks like mommy.' "

Campbell said moms shopping for their mothers or mother-in-laws also frequent the store. She expects many families will spend quality time together on Mother's Day. 

"After the two years of the pandemic, I think just having mom being around and family is probably very important to our customers," Campbell said.

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Reach Alyssa Fell at afell@patriotledger.com.