With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you may find yourself looking for the perfect gift for the special mother figure in your life.
But how much do you know about the origins of Mother’s Day? When is Mother’s Day celebrated? Why do we celebrate Mother’s Day? Why is it celebrated at different times around the world?
Here you will find everything you need to know about Mother’s Day. What’s more, we have given you a few ideas on how to make your own Mother’s Day extra special
Why do we celebrate Mother's Day?
Mother's Day, or Mothering Sunday, is a time to show our appreciation for our mothers and the special mother figures in our life. It is a celebration of love through little acts of kindness.
Whether it's spoiling her with her a spa day or writing a thoughtful card, Mother's Day is about making her feel extra special.
When is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates around the world. In many countries, Mother’s Day falls on a different date each year, making it difficult to remember.
To make it easier, in the UK, Mother’s Day falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, that’s three weeks before Easter. This Year, Mother’s Day in the UK falls on Sunday 10th March 2024.
In the United States, Mother’s Day always takes place on the second Sunday of May. Mother's Day falls on Sunday 12th May in the US in 2024.
Many countries also share this date such as Australia, Austria and Germany. Both Russia and Vietnam celebrate Mother’s Day on International Women’s Day, March 8.
Here is when Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world in 2024 and 2025:
In 2024, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 8th March (International Women’s Day) in Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Laos, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Vietnam.
Mother’s Day falls on the Sunday 10th March 2024 in Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Nigeria, United Kingdom.
Many countries share the same date as the US for celebrating their mothers.
In 2024, Mother’s Day is celebrated on Sunday 12th May 2024 in the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States.
What are the origins of Mother’s Day?
In the US, Anna Jarvis, the daughter of an American social activist, created Mother’s Day in 1907. Mother’s Day was created to honour motherhood and maternal bonds. Anna Jarvis fought to become the mother of Mother's Day, despite having no children of her own. And, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day a national holiday.
Despite her fight, Anna Jarvis later regretted the creation of Mother’s Day. She had hoped Mother’s Day would be a day to honour individual mothers rather than a celebration of all mothers. Jarvis always emphasised the singular “Mother’s” rather than the plural. She even claimed copyright on the phrase “Mother’s Day”. Companies managed to get around this by using the plural “Mothers’ Day”.
Mother’s Day became more popular and commercialised over the years, something which Jarvis actively protested against. As a result, Jarvis attempted to abolish Mother’s Day as a national holiday in the States. She spent most of her inheritance money on fighting against the commercialisation of Mother’s Day. Jarvis was even arrested for protesting against businesses promoting Mother’s Day gifts.
Jarvis was not successful. Today, Mother's Day continues to be a popular national holiday in the US and across the globe.
So, what’s the difference between Mother’s Day in the US and UK?
In the UK, Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is a religious celebration, dedicated to honouring the Virgin Mary. It started in the Middle Ages, a time when children often worked away from home. During this time, children returned home to visit their ‘mother church’ and spend precious time with their mothers.
Children often picked wildflowers on their journey home as a gift for their mothers. Simnel cake, a delicious dessert filled with fruit and spices, was also a popular Mother’s Day gift.
Although it has different origins, Mother’s Day in the UK has become more commercialised. By the 1950s, Mother’s Day had become more of a secular celebration, in line with the US.
Today, the traditional phrase ‘Mothering Sunday’ is often replaced with the US version ‘Mother’s Day’.
How to celebrate Mother's Day Today:
Sweet treats and flowers continue to be popular choices as gifts for Mother’s Day, as well as perfume and personalised gifts.
But one thing is clear, it has always been the thought that counts. At Lily Blanche, we can help you find the perfect personalised gift for Mother's Day.
Whether it is a meaningful piece of jewellery or a locket filled with her special photos, we can help you make her day even more special.
5 Meaningful Mother's Day Gift Ideas:
Looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift idea? Flowers and chocolates are a little cliched. This year, in particular, a gift with meaning will show how much thought you have put into the day.
Each Lily Blanche piece of jewellery has a special meaning behind it. From engravable photo lockets, sparkling earrings and heart necklaces, we’ll help you choose the perfect gift!
1. Photo Lockets
Bring happy tears with a personalised photo locket. Even when you can't be together, you can still hold each other close. Whether it’s a photo of their furry friend, a picture of both of you together or a snap of their favourite memory, a photo locket makes the perfect meaningful Mother's Day Gift.
2. Heart Necklace
Say it from the heart with our heart necklaces, earrings and matching bangles. Choose from silver, gold, rose gold or white gold heart-shaped jewellery.
3. Gold Pearl Necklace
Pearls never go out of style. Choose this timeless classic that goes with a variety of outfits and styles.
4. Engraved Jewellery:
Show her that you cherish her a personalised piece with engraving. Engrave a necklace or a bracelet with a bespoke message just for her.
6. Birthstone Jewellery
Treat her to her special birthstone. Birthstone jewellery adds a personal touch to any outfit and is designed to be passed down the generations.
Mother’s Day Ideas
Things may look a little different this year, but there are still lots of special ways to celebrate Mother's Day in quarantine. Here are a few ideas on how to make Mother's Day Special in lockdown:
1. Surprise breakfast in bed:
It’s the perfect way to spoil her. Surprise your mother, wife, grandmother or mother figure in your life with a cooked breakfast, pancakes and a coffee to start the day
2. Make a scrapbook of your favourite memories together:
Get creative and make a scrapbook of your favourite memories together. It's the perfect way to spend mother's day and is certain to bring a smile to her face!
3. Virtual Cocktail Class
Bring the fun of a girl’s cocktail day home! Sign up to a virtual cocktail class to learn how to make your favourite cocktails. Whether it’s a French martini, mimosa or mojito, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day at home.
4. Watch a Mother-Daughter movie together
Sign up to an online streaming service if you’re celebrating together while apart. Watch your favourite mother’s day film with some popcorn and a few treats to make it special!
5. Organise afternoon tea:
Why not organise a delicious afternoon tea together? Get creative and make your own with triangle sandwiches, scones and cakes or order a Mother's Day box from your local cafe.
How to say 'Happy Mother's Day' in different languages:
Wherever you will be celebrating, all of the team at Lily Blanche would like to wish you a very Happy Mother's Day! Here is how to say 'Happy Mother's Day' in different countries around the world:
Albania - Gezuar Diten e Nenes
Armenia - Շնորհավոր մայրերի օրը
Austria - Schönen Muttertag
Belgium - Bonne fête des mères!
Brazil - Feliz Dia das Mães
Bulgaria - Честит ден на майката
Germany - Schönen Muttertag
Greece - Χαρούμενη γιορτή της μητέρας
Italy - Buona festa della mamma
Laos - ສຸກສັນວັນແມ່
Moldova - La multi ani de ziua mamei
Russia - С днем матери
Serbia - Срећан осми март
Vietnam - Chúc mừng ngày của mẹ
Turkey - Anneler günün kutlu olsuShop ou
