Happy Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day that we know today started in 1908 with the campaigns of peace activist Anna Jarvis demanding the US Government to set aside a memorial day to celebrate, cherish and honour that special woman in everybody’s lives – Mom. In many countries the second Sunday in May is dedicated to all the mothers, mother figures and motherhood in general as a token day for appreciation towards mothers, their selfless contribution and efforts in the lives of their children. This is an intimate, emotional and happy day for the children who express their love, respect and appreciation to their mother.

The earliest celebration of motherhood can be traced back to ancient Greeks and Romans who held festivals in honour of mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. The most recent precursor to the modern mother’s day celebration can be attributed to an early Christian festival called Mothering Sunday and over time the tradition of returning to the mother church shifted more towards a practise of children presenting their mothers with flowers and other gifts of appreciation. In the present times Mother’s Day has gained a more commercial makeover and is celebrated across the globe though its roots lie in the US.

Here we’ll try to peek into the mother’s day festivities traditions across the globe.

US: Celebrated on the 2^nd Sunday of May this is a national holiday in the USA and is the next biggest festival after Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Apart from hoisting the national flag in houses and government buildings to honour the mothers of the country it’s majorly the restaurants and gift shops that make a quick kill on and before mother’s day. Children lavish their moms with gifts, restaurant visits, flowers, cakes and other tokens of love.

UK: Mentioned earlier Mother’s Day has its roots in Mothering Sunday in the UK observed on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Over time it got fused with the more Americanised Mother’s Day idea but has till date retained its traditional date and name. Children gift flowers to their moms’ roses, carnations and chrysanthemums being the main attraction. Baking a rich almond cake aptly known as the mothering cake is a highlight of the celebrations.

France: Celebrated as Fetes des meres on the fourth Sunday of May, Mother’s Day in France is very similar in style with the US. Mothers are bestowed with gifts, cards, flowers along with family dinners. In case the fourth Sunday overlaps with Pentecost, Mother’s Day celebrations are pushed back a week.

India: In our own country also Mother’s Day is celebrated with much fervour on the same day as in US second Sunday of May. This is a relatively new inclusion in our list of festivities and is welcomed with gifts and mementoes for mothers and a gala family meal outside or made by the other members of the family.

Mexico: Mexicans celebrate their mothers on a fixed day of May 10. Children ensure that they are together with their moms as a family on the eve of this special day. Special masses are held at churches high point being the playing of las maA+-anitas and distribution of the traditional morning meal tamales and atole , to all local mothers .The merriment continues with gifting of cards and flowers to the moms elders buying it from the market and younger ones being more creative and making the handmade varieties.

Japan: Haha no Hi as the Japanese call it was initially aligned with the birthday of Empress Koujun in March however after WWII it was moved to the American custom of 2^nd Sunday in May. The day is celebrated by mostly gifting flowers carnations in particular by the children to their beloved mothers.

China: China celebrates Mother’s Day on the 2^nd Sunday of May like many countries with gifting of flowers and other expressions of filial love. The Government also honours mothers and introduces projects related to socio economic upliftment of poor mothers on this date.

Russia: In the former Soviet Union days Mother’s day coincided with International Women’s Day to honour women in all their avatars. Post the formation of Soviet Russia Mothers’ Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of November though gifts are still mostly shared in March. Gifting forget me not’s denoting the love for closest ones is the high point of the celebrations.

Egypt: Mother’s Day in Egypt and in many Arab countries fall on March 21 – the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere which is an unofficial holiday and spent mostly in gift giving and general celebration.

South Africa: Like the US, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May with much gaiety. Children show their love and honour for their mothers as well as grandmothers and mother figures by spending quality time with them. Pink and red carnations are gifted to living mothers and white ones to the deceased. The day passes in gifting and family dine outs.

Australia: Mother’s Day is celebrated with a lot of joy and excitement on the 2^nd Sunday of May in Australia. Australians similar to the Americans celebrate the day with gifting their mothers and care givers with flowers, cakes and made by children meals. Children traditionally wear coloured carnations as a gesture of love and appreciation for the living mothers and white ones for the deceased.

Mother’s Day celebration traditions are similar across countries wherein every daughter or son tries to spend the day in their own little big way their love and appreciation for their individual mothers. Globalisation has commercialised this once intimate festival and card shops, florists and restaurants all make bumper sales on this day. Children leave no stone unturned to make this day special for their mothers who’s the best in the world.

Just follow our 10 Tips to Learn New Languages Quickly and surprise you mum on this Mother’s Day. What are you waiting for?

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