Mother's Day is a worldwide holiday to commemorate mothers and motherhood that is observed in many nations. The custom of celebrating Mother's Day began in the early 20th century and draws from several cultural traditions. Let's look at how it all started, as well as how it is celebrated all around the world.
When Is Mother's Day?
Mother's Day is celebrated on various dates depending on the country you are in. For most countries, Mother's Day is held on the second Sunday in May. However, not all countries follow this rule, some countries have adopted dates based on their religious belief or on dates that are historically significant. We never used to buy Mother's day gifts, let's learn when it started in our history.
A Brief History of Mother's Day
The Mother's Day tradition began in the United States in the early 20th century. The first Mother's Day was celebrated on May 12, 1908, in the state of West Virginia. This symbolic day was created by Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honour her own mother.
This all started in 1905 when Anna Jarvis began her campaign to turn Mother's Day into a recognised holiday, which was also the year her mother Ann Jarvis passed away.
Ann Jarvis had been a pacifist who looked after wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War and founded the Mother's Day Work Clubs to bring attention to the health issues of these soldiers.
Anna Jarvis conceived the idea to create Mother's Day after a memorial service for her own mother Ann Jarvis. After the service, she sent 500 white carnations (her mother's favourite flower) 0to those who attend her mother’s day service. From this act of remembrance, the Mother's Day tradition was born.
On the very same day, she made plans for a much larger Mother's Day service in Philadelphia, which was attended by 15,000 people. Anna continued to promote Mother's Day services every year on the Sunday closest to her mother's death (the second Sunday in May).
In 1908, the U.S. Congress rejected a bill to make Mother's Day an official holiday, quipping that they would have to declare a "Mother-in-law's Day" if it passed. By 1911, all but two states had adopted to celebrate this day, with some of them officially recognising it as a local holiday.
Mother's Day was finally established in the United States in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May to be a national holiday to honour mothers.
The Importance of Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a special day to celebrate mothers and motherhood. It is a time to recognise the important role mothers play in society. Mothers are the backbone of families and contribute countless hours of unpaid work caring for their children and households. The importance of Mother's Day cannot be understated. Mother's Day is a time to show mothers how much they are loved and appreciated.
The History of Mother’s Day Gifts in Australia
In 1924, the first Mother's Day was observed in Australia. Sydney housewife Janet Heyden was inspired to raise money for lonely, elderly hospital patients who had lost their husbands and sons during World War I. She placed public notices encouraging people to remember Sydney's mothers by giving out presents.
Donations of soaps, sweets, hairpins, and scarves were received by The Feminist Club in Leichardt. In Sydney, over 850 women were given gifts on Australia's first Mother's Day.
Janet Heyden launched the first Mother's Day Australia in 1924, and she subsequently announced the second Sunday in June to be Father's Day. In Lidcombe Sydney, 1300 men were given soaps, mittens, mufflers, handkerchiefs, pipes, tobacco, firelighters, and sweets as gifts.
In 1927, Australian newspaper advertisements for Mother's Day frequently encouraged people to purchase a gift such as specially prepared sweets in a variety of tastes wrapped up with a chrysanthemum flower as an indication of respect.
Mother’s Day Celebrations Around the World
2nd Sunday In May
Although it is not a public holiday in Canada, Canadians celebrate this day just like every other western nation. It is also one of the biggest days in retail where most Canadians around $111 making this day the 2nd highest spending day after Christmas. Most people would wear carnations on Mother’s Day and flowers, cookies, greeting cards and other handmade gifts are usually given to mothers.
As a tradition, Québécois men would also offer gifts of flowers to other mother figures in their lives.
2nd Sunday In May
The founding nation celebrates this day with one of the biggest days in sales of some of the best greeting cards and flowers. This day is also well known for lots of long-distance phone calls and has the highest day for church attendance in the country. They celebrate with coloured carnations where a white carnation is used if your mother had passed away.
4th Sunday In March
Unlike most western countries, the United Kingdom celebrates on the fourth Sunday in March also known as Lent. It has many ties to the religious Mothering Sunday which is a day to honour mothers and the practice of matrice, where the church is referred to as a mother who is protective and nurturing.
2nd Sunday In May
The country down under started Mother’s Day celebrations officially in 1910 however it was only in 1924 that people began to give gifts to their mothers. Besides all the gifts, the people of Australia also give chrysanthemums to their mothers.
2nd Sunday In May
Like most nations around the world, New Zealanders also celebrate this day with gifts, flowers, cards and maybe even breakfast in bed. It is a more common practice to also pamper mothers besides giving them gifts.
2nd Sunday In May
The Salvation Army's Dutch division launched Mother's Day in the Netherlands as early as 1910, and it has been celebrated annually ever since. The Royal Dutch Society for Horticulture and Botany, a society committed to protecting the interests of Dutch florists, attempted to emulate American florists' popularity by promoting the holiday.
2nd Sunday In May
Haha no Hi (母の日) otherwise known as Mother’s Day was established in 1931. However, it was not until 1949 that Japan accepted this celebratory day. It is now common practice for Japanese people to give special gifts, red carnations flowers or roses on this day.
2nd Sunday In May
As a harmonious coincidence Mother’s Day is on the same day as Buddha's birthday. In 1999 the Taiwanese government officially change Buddha's birthday to match Mother's Day, it is also Tzu Chi Day a celebration for a charity foundation in Taiwan. Just like most other nations, In Taiwan, mothers receive pampering, gifts and flowers.
2nd Sunday in May
In the Philippines, Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday of May, although it is not a national holiday in the Philippines, its popularity grew under the influence of the American Colonial Period. It was officially changed to Parents Day in 1937 but only recently changed back in 1988. Just like many other western countries, Carnations are a popular and traditional flower.
1st Sunday In May
In Spain, Día de la Madre (Mother's Day) is on the first Sunday of May. School children spend a few hours each day in class preparing a present for their mums, assisted by their school teachers over the weeks leading up to this Sunday. Most mothers receive gifts from their family members and it's common for the whole family to spend time together.
Mother’s Day Dates From Around The World
| When | Dates | Countries |
| March | 8 March (Annually) | Kosovo Moldova Russia Serbia |
| 4th Sunday March |
March 10 2024 March 30 2025 |
Ireland Isle of Man United Kingdom |
| 1st Sunday May |
May 5 2024 |
Hungary |
| May |
May 8 (Annually) |
South Korea (Parents Day) |
| 2nd Sunday May |
May 12 2024 May 11 2025 |
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, Vietnam, United States, Zimbabwe And Many More |
| May | May 26 (Annually) | Poland |
| Last Sunday May |
May 26 2024 May 25 2025 |
Algeria, Cameroon, France, Haiti, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Sweden, Tunisia |
| August | 12 August (Annually) | Thailand |
| Others | October 15 2024 October 10 2024 November 24 2024 December 22 2024 |
Malawi Argentina Russia Indonesia |
6 Flowers To Give On Mother's Day And Their Meanings
There are many traditional Mother's Day gifts, but one of the most popular gifts to give is flowers. Here are some of the most popular Mother's Day flowers:
Roses
Throughout history, roses have always been the symbolic definition of motherhood. But the most fascinating aspect roses are the many subtle and hidden meanings and expressions associated with their colours. A red rose will signify beauty while a pink rose symbolises grace and elegance. However, the most suitable colour would be hot pink as this represents feminity, strength and appreciation.
White Carnations
The white carnation is the most popular flower during Mother's Day, especially in the United States. It was popularised by the founder of Mother's Day Anna Jarvis who gave everyone who attended her mother's service a white carnation as it was her mother's favourite.
White Jasmine Flowers
On Mother's Day in Thailand, children give alms to the monks first thing in the morning. Kids bow down before their mother to show their adoration and respect as is customary in Thailand. They would then offer her white jasmine blooms or garlands. On this day, white jasmine flowers are frequently seen in Thailand, as they symbolize maternal love.
Tulips
Tulips have a variety of connotations, depending on the colour selected. Purple is connected to royalty, whereas red is associated with love. Pink is associated with warmth and sweetness, whilst white could be used as an apology or in tribute.
Orchards
The flower to get for the hip and fashionable mother are orchids. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colours and are considered the most “highly evolved” of flowering plants. They’re easy to care for, too, so they’re perfect for the busy mother. If you’re wondering which colour to get, try pink, which represents elegance, poise and femininity.
Pink Carnations
The pink carnation, for instance, stands for a mother's love, but white, which symbolizes pure or unconditional love and good luck, is an excellent alternative. On a side note carnations are one of the longest-lasting cut flowers which helps you to enjoy their beauty even longer
12 Quick Ideas On How To Celebrate Mother's Day
- Make breakfast in bed for your mother.
- Take your mother to her favourite restaurant.
- Buy your mother a Mother's Day card and write a heartfelt message inside.
- Give your mother a gift basket filled with her favourite things.
- Spend time with your mum, going for a walk or just chatting.
- Write down all the things you love about.
- Take your mother out to lunch or dinner.
- Buy flowers for her and if you know her favourite flowers you should her the nicest bunch you can.
- Write a letter to your mother telling her how much you love and appreciate her.
- Do some chores around the house for your mum.
- Bake Mother's Day cookies or cake.
- Phone your mother and have a long conversation with her if you are not able to spend time with her in person.
International Women's Day Vs Mother's Day
International Women's Day celebrates women's achievements throughout history, while Mother's Day celebrates mothers specifically. Some people argue that Mother's Day should be replaced by International Women's Day, as mothers are not the only important women in history. However, Mother's Day is still celebrated in many countries around the world, and it is important for mothers to feel appreciated and recognised.
A Final Note
Mother’s Day is important for a lot of reasons, but one of the most important is that it reminds us to take a moment and appreciate all the amazing mums out there. This year, make sure to show your appreciation in a big way. Why not spoil her with a day of pampering? She deserves it! Whether you treat her to a relaxing massage, some delicious food, or an afternoon at the spa, she’ll love spending time with you.
And don’t forget – if you need any ideas or inspiration, we’ve got plenty of gifts right here! How will you celebrate Mother's Day this year?
FAQ on Mother's Day
Who Started Mothers Day?
What Is Mother's Day Named After?
When Is Mother's Day In Australia?
What Are The Mother's Day Traditions In Australia?
How Did Mother's Day Start In Australia?
Which Countries Celebrate Mother's Day?
How Many Countries Celebrate Mother's Day?
What is International Women's Day?