The History of Mother's Day and the Language of Flowers
Mother's Day is coming soon, and it's a wonderful chance to show our love and appreciation for the amazing women who mean so much to us. While we usually think of this day as a time for heartfelt gestures, it's also important to know why we celebrate Mother's Day and how to make it special for our mums, grandmas, special aunts, that family friend who's always had your back, and all the other mother figures.
The history of Mother’s Day in the UK
In the United Kingdom, Mother's Day has a history that goes back to a custom in the 16th century known as 'Mothering Sunday.' Back then, people would return to their hometowns and visit their "mother" church on the fourth Sunday of Lent. It was a special day to reunite with family and give thanks to mothers for their love and care.
Over time, this tradition evolved, and it became more like the modern Mother's Day we know today, where children show appreciation to their mothers with cards, gifts, and love.
Like the 16th century tradition of “Mothering Sunday”, today's Mother's Day in the UK is still celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent, which usually falls in March. It's a time to honour and show gratitude to the wonderful mothers and mother figures in our lives.
The history of Mother’s Day in the US
In the 1900s, a lady named Anna Jarvis wanted to make a special day to honour mothers because she admired how much they did for their children. She enlisted help from a man called John Wanamaker, and in 1908, they had the first official Mother's Day celebration in a church in West Virginia. On the same day, many people went to a Mother's Day event in one of Wanamaker's stores in Philadelphia.
After this, Jarvis really wanted Mother's Day to be a big thing all across the country. She thought that other holidays were more about men's achievements, so she wrote letters to newspapers and important people to make Mother's Day an official holiday.
By 1912, lots of states, towns, and churches started celebrating Mother's Day every year. Jarvis even made a group called the Mother's Day International Association to help spread the word. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson said that the second Sunday in May would officially be Mother's Day.
How to celebrate Mother's Day
Mother's Day is celebrated with love and appreciation all over the world. It's a day to say thank you to the special ladies who have taken care of us.
Show love in personal ways
The most important thing about Mother's Day is showing your love in your own way. Here are some simple ideas:
Write a letter: You can write a letter to your mum to tell her how much you love and appreciate her. Share your favourite memories and let her know how special she is. Find some inspiration in our list of Mother’s Day messages.
Make something: Making a homemade gift or drawing a picture shows you put thought and effort into it. It's a nice way to show you care.
Cook together: You can make a special meal with your mum. It could be breakfast in bed or her favourite dinner. It's fun to cook together and enjoy a meal you made.
Spend time together: Just spending time with your mum doing things you both enjoy is a great way to celebrate. You can go for a walk, watch a film, or catch up over a cup of tea.
Flowers, gifts, and helping out
Besides personal gestures, you can also consider these simple ways to make Mother's Day special:
Flowers: Many people like to give flowers. You can pick your mum's favourite flowers or just choose a bouquet that you think she’ll love. Discover our lovely selection of Mother’s Day flowers.
Gifts: Thoughtful gifts like delicious brownies or a scented candle can help make your mum feel appreciated. Discover our selection of thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts.
Helping out: Offer to help with chores or tasks, giving your mum a break from her daily responsibilities. It's a way to make her day easier and more enjoyable.
Which flowers to send on Mother’s Day?
Sending flowers on Mother's Day is a lovely way to care wildly. You can choose your mum's favourite flowers, or you can go for ones that have special meanings:
Pink carnations represent a mother's love and gratitude, making them a perfect choice. Discover our selection of carnation bouquets and learn more about the meaning of carnations.
Yellow roses symbolise friendship and joy, which is how we feel about our mums. Discover our selection of rose bouquets and learn more about the meaning of yellow roses.
Purple irises are a great choice because they mean admiration and respect. Learn more about the meaning of irises.
So, if you pick flowers based on their meanings, or just because they're beautiful, they're a sweet way to tell your mum how much you care. Learn more about the language of flowers.
In summary:
As Mother's Day gets closer, remember that it's not just about presents and flowers. It's about showing love and appreciation in your own way. If you celebrate with letters, gifts, or just being helpful, take the time to honour the special ladies who mean so much to you.
So, this Mother's Day, let your mum and other special ladies know how much you care. Say thanks, make memories, and celebrate the love that's always there.
