Mother’s Day advertising has evolved tremendously over the holiday’s 100 year history, particularly in the last two decades. From giving mom the perfect gift to giving her the thanks she deserves, these five commercials capture the essence of the holiday and how it’s changed through the years. Whether you prefer the walk down memory lane or the latest P&G tearjerker, enjoy these highlights and share your favorites with us on Facebook!

Bulova, 1951:

The majority of commercials you see are for greeting cards and candy, but back in 1951 Bulova used the holiday as an opportunity to sell women’s luxury watches. Pretty smart. This spot is also a great example of how much technology has evolved over time – they actually switch the title cards out by hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wrpjBnQBLM

Coca-Cola, 1971:

The audio is the true star of this Mother’s Day ad from Coke, reminding us all that “There’s no other mother in the world like mine.” Sweet and simple.

Hallmark, 1990s:

No Mother’s Day would be complete without an ad from Hallmark. While this 1990s spot is far from their best, it does use an interesting strategy. Hallmark and U.S. Sprint partnered together to offer $5 in long-distance calling, surely striking a chord with viewers who would not be sharing the holiday with loved ones nearby.

Procter & Gamble, 2011:

Procter & Gamble’s “Thank You, Mom” campaign has been making us weep since it was first launched at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, and this spot is no different. While not initially created as a Mother’s Day commercial upon its release in 2011, “What I See” has experienced viral success in recent weeks, especially with its tie to the Special Olympics. Great execution, P&G, now get me a box of tissues, please.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B51Bs4u10ZA

Virgin Mobile, 2013:

Susie Essman. Need we say more?

And of course we can’t forget about the American Greetings spot that reminded us that motherhood truly is the “World’s Toughest Job,” just in time for Mother’s Day.