Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honour of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.” Once a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, this celebration fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was originally seen as a time when the faithful would return to their “mother church” – the main church in the vicinity of their home – for a special service.
Over time the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted into a more secular holiday, and children would present their mothers with flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually faded in popularity before merging with the Australian Mother’s Day in 1924.
Bring us to 2017, Mother’s day is usually celebrated by treating Mum to breakfast in bed or taking her out to lunch at a lovely restaurant. Children often make homemade Mother’s Day cards to give with some flowers, perhaps a box of chocolates or combining the two and giving Mum an Edible Bloom Chocolate Bouquet! The modernised Mother’s Day isn’t however only a day for your Mum. We take the day to celebrate our Grandmother’s, Aunties, Sisters, Girlfriends, Wives and Mother’s-In-Law. Perhaps your best friend has just recently given birth for the first (or third!) time and you want to celebrate her being a Mummy.
It’s the perfect day to give a gift to show our appreciation for all these wonderful women in our lives. They carry us inside them for 9 months, in their arms for 3 years and in their hearts for a lifetime. Many sacrifices made, many tears and laughs shared - our Mum’s start as parents and later in life grow to be our friend. Show them some love today by calling them, giving them a hug, showering them with gifts or a simple heartfelt message.
Today you may be remembering Mum by being with family, reminiscing on all she was and continues to be in your life, finding comfort in remembering all the guidance and love she gave throughout your life. Always keeping these precious gifts close to your heart and she continues to live on in you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
