What is Mother's Day?
Mother's Day is a day of celebration and honor for mothers. It's a time to reflect on the influence of mothers in society, as well as their efforts and sacrifices.
Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1908 by Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her own mother with a special day dedicated to her memory. She chose the second Sunday in May because it marked the anniversary of her mother's death from breast cancer at age 58 (the same disease that would eventually claim Jarvis herself).
The first official Mother's Day was observed on May 10th 1911 by President Woodrow Wilson after Congress unanimously passed a resolution declaring it so earlier that year.
The History of Mother's Day
The origins of Mother's Day are steeped in ancient tradition. The earliest known observance of a holiday honoring mothers was on May 13, 350 AD, when Emperor Constantine declared that all mothers should be given gifts and flowers on this day. The modern version of Mother's Day was created by Anna Jarvis after she lost her mother to cancer at the age of 10 years old. She wanted to honor her mother's memory by creating an annual celebration where people could show appreciation for their own mothers as well as others who have made sacrifices for their families.
In 1907, President Roosevelt signed legislation officially recognizing Mother's Day as an official national holiday--the first ever American holiday with federal sanction!
Mother's Day Traditions
The tradition of giving flowers on Mother's Day dates back to the early 1900s. Before then, it was common for people to give their mothers gifts of jewelry or clothing on her birthday and Christmas. In fact, many families still do this today!
In addition to flowers and cards, some other common ways that people honor their mothers include:
- Breakfast in bed (or a special meal)
- Family gatherings where everyone gets together at one house or restaurant for dinner or lunch; these are often held on Sundays because most people don't work on Sundays anymore (though some do). You may also see picnics held outdoors as part of this tradition if weather permits!
These traditions vary from country-to-country depending on what each culture considers appropriate ways for honoring one's mother(s).
Gift Ideas for Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a great time to celebrate the woman who raised you, or the woman who helped raise you. If you're looking for gift ideas, here are some of my favorites:
- Flowers and plants
- Chocolate (and other sweet treats)
- Jewelry and accessories
- Spa days or massages (especially if she's had a rough week)
If your mom likes to cook, consider making her something homemade like cookies or cupcakes. If she's into crafts, try making her something with your hands--a picture frame with photos of the two of you together would be nice! Or maybe even make her a card that says how much she means to you. You could also get her a box full of fun things every month; they're usually themed around hobbies like fashion or cooking (or naturally clean, organic skincare and makeup) so they'll give both of you something new to talk about when they arrive in the mail every month!
Mother's Day Quotes and Poems
The following are some quotes and poems about mothers:
- "A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; [and] when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of gloom." --Washington Irving
--"A mother's love is patient, a mother's love is kind. It knows no boundaries or conditions; it has no limits or end." --William Shakespeare
How to Celebrate Mother's Day
If you want to celebrate Mother's Day, here are some ideas:
- Spend some time with your mom. This can be as simple as going out for lunch or coffee, or even just sitting down and talking over a cup of tea.
- Send her a card or flowers. It doesn't have to be anything fancy--just something that shows how much you care about her will do!
- Express your appreciation for everything she does for you in words (or even better, actions). It might be hard sometimes because we're all so busy with our own lives but try not to forget how much she means to us!
- Create a special moment together where the two of you can share something that makes both of your hearts happy (like watching one of those cheesy romantic comedies). Or maybe bake cookies together? Whatever works best for both parties involved :)
If none of these options seem feasible due to distance/time constraints etc., consider making donations in honor of Mother's Day instead!
Mother's Day Activities
- Cooking together
- Taking a family walk
- Having a picnic
- Visiting a museum or art gallery, or going to the movies together.
- Crafting together (making cards and gifts).
If you're looking for something more active, try playing games with your kids -- they'll love it!
Mother's Day Recipes
Breakfast Recipes
- A breakfast casserole that's perfect for Mother's Day.
- This sweet potato hash is sure to please everyone in your family!
Lunch Recipes - A hearty salad with chicken and quinoa will keep you full all day long.
Dinner Recipes
Mother's Day Crafts
- DIY cards: You can make your own cards, or purchase them from a craft store.
- Photo frames: You can either buy frames and decorate them yourself, or take photos of your mom and her friends/family members (or just her) and frame those photos for her!
- Jewelry: This is another great way to show how much you care about your mom by making something special for her. If she wears jewelry often enough that she won't lose it easily, consider making some earrings or necklaces as gifts!
- Home decor: If there's something specific in the house that needs fixing up--maybe an old lampshade needs replacing? Or maybe there's a picture frame missing its glass? Fixing these things would be a great way to show off how handy you are while also giving Mom something useful as well!
- From a mom's heart, we will enjoy anything from our children and it doesn't need to be materialistic. It could be spending time together or a chat over the phone.
Happy Mother's Day