Mother’s Day. We all know and love this holiday that happens every year in the middle of May. Most people don’t realize that Mother’s Day has a rich history and culture that has emerged since people began celebrating this special day.

This May when you are showing your love and appreciation for your mom, keep in mind the history of this holiday that showcases what motherhood means to the world.

(Pexels / Pixabay)

Mother’s Day honours the different forms of motherhood from around the globe. Did you know that Mother’s Day was created by an American named Anna Jarvis in 1908 and this significant holiday became official in 1914. Today, we traditionally commemorate Mother’s Day by surprising our moms with gifts such as flowers, chocolate and cards, but the gift ideas vary depending on what you think your mom would appreciate the most.

Some people see Mother’s Day as a “new” holiday, but the celebration of mothers and the gift of motherhood goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Festivals used to be held for the mother goddesses such as Rhea and Cybele. Fascinating right? I could not imagine what a festival for mothers would be like in ancient times, but it must have been a blast.

Mother’s Day spending is estimated to exceed over $20 billion each year, so flower shops and malls are ready for the purchases to start rolling in. I’ve mentioned the traditional gifts that people like to get on Mother’s Day like cards, flowers and chocolate, but in today’s society people are expanding their gift ideas for their mothers, spending more to show they appreciate their moms just that much more. Clothing, jewelry and even high-tech devices are among the trending gifts in 2023.

(Pexels / Evie Shaffer)

What do you like doing for Mother’s Day? For me, I usually stay along the traditional path, but I’m open to new ideas every year. A local community farm near where I live holds a “Mother’s Day Plant Sale” every year on the weekend of Mother’s Day, so it’s usually the perfect place to go to get some beautiful flowers for my mom. The other Mother’s Day tradition that I try to do each year is get in the kitchen and bake something, either a bread for dinner or a treat for dessert.

Now that I know more about the origins of Mother’s Day, it makes me cherish this special day that much more. The culture around this holiday continues to evolve as the meaning and appreciation of motherhood expands.

Make sure to show your mom some love this Mother’s Day, she will appreciate it just as much as she appreciates you!