I don't know how other families do mother's day, but, this year, we decided my parents would 'host' by providing a place--and that's it. The Mr. and I insisted on bringing pizza so my mom wouldn't have to cook (and dad is spread to thin right now to do this himself. Although he'd say he isn't)
We ended up w/ to many desserts...
there was a b-day cake for my sis, cake the MIL brought, pie that my mom made, pie that I brought, cake that sis brought...
We considered it a win.
Nothing like saying "oh, 1/2 a slice of strawberry pie, 1/2 a slice of dutch apple pie, a little wedge of lemon poundcake w/ fruit and, oh, sure, go ahead and cut me a small piece of that chocolate/white-chocolate swirl cake...no, I think that's good" when it comes to dessert time.