Mother's Day is celebrated in lots countries all over the world, but not always on the same day. In the United States, Mother's Day is always on the second Sunday in May, here, however Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday of Lent, and international Mother's Day is actually celebrated on the 11th May.
During the 1600's we held a day called "Mothering Sunday" on the 4th Sunday of Lent. This day honoured the mothers of England, and as Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration changed to honour the "Mother Church" - the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm. Over time the church festival blended with the Mothering Sunday celebrations. People began honouring their mothers as well as the church. During this time many of England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy. On Mothering Sunday the servants would be given the day off and encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. A cake, called the mothering cake, was often brought along to provide a festive touch.
Whilst Mother's Day is celebrated on different days and for different reasons in many countries around the world, the central theme of honouring your mother is universal. The day is closely associated with the giving of Mother's Day gifts such as flowers, chocolates or general pampering type gifts and also the sending of cards.
More Cut flowers, even though the season is around three weeks late this year due to the extra cold weather and houseplants are brought for our Mum's than on Valentine's Day for our partners! Traditional spring flowers are strongly associated with Mother's Day, such as tulips scented narcissi and daffodils!
