Tips for Creating a Successful Mother’s Day Stall 2025

Mother’s Day is big business in Australia—total spending is expected to hit $995 million in 2025, a 7.5% increase from 2023. That’s a lot of flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt gifts! But here’s the catch: 400,000 fewer people bought gifts in 2024 due to cost-of-living pressures. While the average person is still expected to spend around $102, up from $92 in 2023, affordability is a concern.

So, what does this mean for school Mother’s Day stalls? Simply put, families are being more selective about their spending. Schools must strike a balance between offering affordable, thoughtful gifts and ensuring the stall remains a fun, inclusive experience for students. Whether you’re a parent, volunteer, teacher, or organiser, here’s how to create a successful, well-stocked, and budget-friendly Mother’s Day stall in 2025.

✨ Four Core Strategies for All Schools

🎁 1. Gift Selection & Pricing

The key to a successful stall is offering gifts that students are excited to buy and mums (or any loved ones) will appreciate. Prices should be affordable but still allow for some fundraising potential.

• Primary Schools: Keep it simple! Younger children love picking out small, hands-on gifts like handmade crafts, keychains, DIY tote bags, or even laminated poems. Stick to price points between $1–$5 so every child can participate.
• High Schools: Older students might have a bigger budget and want more sophisticated gifts like skincare sets, gourmet hampers, or personalised jewellery. A tiered pricing structure ($5–$20) works well to offer variety.
• Inclusivity: Not all students buy for their mum, so consider renaming the stall to “Family Gift Stall”—a thoughtful move already adopted by schools like Hunter Valley Grammar School (NSW) and several Melbourne schools. This makes the event more welcoming for students with different family structures.

Gift Price Range Guide

School Spending & Selling Guidelines

Purchase Guidelines

To make sure there’s enough stock (without ending up with boxes of leftover candles), use these stocking guidelines:

• Plan for 1–1.5 gifts per student as a baseline.
• Some schools buy up to 3 gifts per student, especially when children like to buy for multiple family members.
• Most schools set a maximum selling price of $10, but private schools may go higher based on their community’s budget.

Profit Expectations

Mother’s Day stalls are usually about providing a service rather than a big fundraiser, but a small profit margin helps cover costs and supports future events.

• Most schools aim for modest profits rather than high markups.
• A 30–50% markup on wholesale prices is recommended for affordability while still making a small return.

🙌 2. Volunteer & Student Involvement

A well-run Mother’s Day stall needs enthusiastic volunteers to keep things moving. Whether it’s helping kids choose gifts, handling payments, or making sure stock doesn’t disappear into little pockets (it happens!), having the right people involved makes all the difference.

• Primary Schools: Parent volunteers are a must! Younger children often need a hand when picking gifts or counting money. To keep things running smoothly, assign senior students to wrap gifts or manage the checkout—this gives them a sense of responsibility while making the stall more efficient.
• High Schools: Older students are more independent, so let them take the lead. Form a student committee responsible for planning, budgeting, stock management, and marketing the stall. This not only eases the workload on teachers but also builds valuable leadership and organisational skills.

💰 3. Budgeting & Logistics

Even a simple stall needs a solid budget and a smart stock plan to avoid overspending or running out of gifts too soon.

• Public Schools: Many rely on donations, secondhand sales, or sponsorship from local businesses to keep costs down. Some schools even encourage students to make gifts, turning the stall into a creative and budget-friendly event.
• Private Schools: With more financial flexibility, private schools may invest in premium gifts like branded merchandise, luxury candles, or personalised keepsakes. This allows for a wider price range and more sophisticated gifting options.

Stock Quantity Planning

Getting stock levels right is crucial. Here’s a simple formula to follow:

• Order 1–1.5 gifts per student to ensure there’s enough variety without ending up with excess stock.
• Have backup options like IOU slips (for students who forget their money) or free handmade cards for those who cannot afford a gift but still want to participate.

📢 4. Promotion & Communication

A Mother’s Day stall only works if people know about it! A little promotion goes a long way in ensuring students (and parents) come prepared with money and enthusiasm.

• Use multiple channels: Announce the stall in newsletters, school social media pages, and classroom reminders.
• Send home colourful flyers or notes with students a couple of weeks in advance—because, let’s be honest, if it’s just mentioned in passing, most kids will forget!
• Highlight stall dates early to avoid clashes with exams, excursions, or school events. Timing is everything, so check the calendar before locking in your dates.

🏫 School-Type Specific Considerations

Every school is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work when planning a Mother’s Day stall. Primary schools need hands-on activities, high schools benefit from fundraising add-ons, and selective schools can offer unique, themed gifts. Here’s how to tailor your stall to suit your school’s needs.

Primary Schools

For younger children, shopping is an experience, not just a transaction. Keep them engaged with interactive elements that make the stall feel special.

• DIY Stations: Set up craft tables where kids can decorate plant pots, create handprint keychains, or laminate personalised poems. This will keep them entertained and add sentimental value to the gifts.
• Parental Involvement: Organise pre-stall workshops where parents and kids can make gifts together—think marble-dipped mugs, decorated tote bags, or mini photo booths. This fosters community spirit and ensures plenty of budget-friendly, handmade gifts for the stall.

High Schools

Teenagers appreciate more sophisticated gift options and often seek ways to maximise fundraising potential.

• Fundraising Synergy: Combine the stall with bake sales, raffles, or student-run markets to increase profits and attract more buyers. A Mother’s Day bundle—a scented candle and a cupcake—could be an easy upsell!
• Digital Integration: For tech-savvy families, offer online pre-orders or e-gift vouchers. This allows parents to pre-pay, ensuring students don’t forget their money on the day (because, let’s face it, they probably will).

Selective Schools

With a focus on academics and innovation, selective schools can tailor their stalls to reflect their students’ interests.

• Academic Tie-Ins: Offer unique, STEM-themed gifts like succulents in test tubes, science-themed mugs, or engraved wooden rulers. It’s a fun way to blend learning with gift-giving.

🌍 Regional & State Variations

Mother’s Day stalls aren’t a one-size-fits-all operation—what works in a bustling Sydney school might not suit a small rural school in Tasmania. Climate, community diversity, and school size all shape what gifts should be offered and how the stall should be run. Here’s how to tailor your stall to your state’s unique needs.

🌟 Advanced Tips

For schools that want to go the extra mile, these strategies can make a Mother’s Day stall even more inclusive, sustainable, and well-organised.

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Benjamin Teo

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The original DadShop writer, owner, fun loving and tech guy. Great with computers, gadgets, quick on his feet and lover of novelty gifts. Ben writes for our wonderful blog occasionally just to pass time.

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