History and Evolution

Mother's day is a celebration of motherhood to honour mothers and mother figures in appreciation of their contribution to families and society. Every year it is observed on the second Sunday in the month of May. Though this has garnered a lot of interest and extravagant ways of expressing love in the modern times, you will be surprised to know that this dates back to Greeks and Romans where something similar was celebrated in praise of their mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.

Mother's Day, as we recognise it now began in the United States in the early 20th century. Anna Jarvis started it in memory of her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis who was a peace activist and founded 'Mothers' Day Work Clubs' during the American Civil War. These clubs encouraged moms to meet and learn from each other under one roof while the nation was split apart by civil conflict. So, her daughter Anna Jarvis began an initiative to establish a public holiday in honour of her mother who died in 1905. Because of her continuous efforts a proclamation was signed in 1914 by Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States of America declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

Traditions around the world

While the date and customs may differ from one country to another, Mother's Day is celebrated all over the world today. The sentiment to show appreciation and gratitude towards the most important person in one's life remains the same. Below are some examples-

USA- In most households the tradition begins with taking out moms for breakfast, giving her bouquet of flowers, gifts, cards etc.

India- Although the concept is comparatively newer in India, it is becoming popular in recent times. Children often pamper their maternal figures and make it special for them by arranging family outings or gatherings.

Ethiopia- Mother's Day is observed in Ethiopia during the autumn as a part of the Antrosht celebration, which lasts for many days. Large feasts are usually made and family members  come together to recount stories of family heroes through song and dance. 

United Kingdom-Mother's Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent also called "Mothering Sunday." Back in the 16th century, people would return to their home or 'mother' church for a special service and visit their mother too. The tradition is still rooted in most of the churches around the United Kingdom.

Make it special for her

A mother's love is unconditional and pure. The sacrifices she makes to see her child happy and successful cannot be matched. No matter what the situation or circumstance is, a mother's love and commitment towards her child's wellbeing is unaltered and therefore this remarkable act of selfless love and dedication needs to be celebrated and cherished. Finding the perfect gift can be a challenge so here are some creative gifting ideas -

• Spend quality time with your mom by taking her out to her favourite place ( restaurant, religious place, theater, park etc)
• Help her with her chores or make a special meal for her.
• Give a relaxing spa day as a treat to unwind.
• You can also create a memory book (physical or digital) with pictures of your time with her.
• Plan a fun outing with her loved ones , it can be a picnic or a game night with family or friends.
• Buy her a gift which can include flowers, a greeting card, jewelry or a book.

Some facts about Mother's Day

• Mother's Day is the day with the most phone calls. An estimated 122 millions calls are made on the second Sunday in May.
• After Christmas and Hanukkah, it is the third most popular holiday for selling plants and flowers.
• It is also considered to be the busiest day for restaurants.
• Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day never became a mother.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article about Mother's Day traditions and festivities. Regardless of the origin, it is a special day to celebrate the importance of motherhood in our lives. So no matter how you choose to celebrate it, either with a simple card or a grand gesture, make sure you take time to recognise the maternal figure in your life and appreciate her efforts. Visit our website at www.gubbacci.com and browse some best selling collections or you can go to Gubbacci design Studio to design your own custom T-shirt.

We wish you all a happy and a memorable Mother's Day!