The History Of Mother’s Day

Traditionally known as Mothering Sunday, Mother’s Day in the UK falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent 3 weeks before Easter Sunday. Most of us celebrate Mother’s Day but very few people know it’s origins. It is believed to have started as the day people would visit their “mother” church, for a special service. By returning home to the church of their childhood, often reunited families, and spend time with their mothers. There was also a custom of apprentice boys and children in domestic service being given the day off to spend with their families.

One of the other traditions from Mother’s Day is the food. It was once known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ as it was a day in mid lent where the fasting could be eased and people could enjoy a meal together after church. As Mother’s Day in the UK falls in spring this would usually have been spring lamb, with the mother of the family being made queen of the feast.

Mother’s Day played an important part in the sixteenth century, however by 1935 Mother’s Day had started to decrease in popularity in the UK and Europe and was celebrated less and less until

World War II. In the US and Canada Mother’s Day was celebrated during the war as those far from home wanted to give thanks to their mothers. Other’s around them joined in and Mother’s Day was pushed back firmly on to the UK calendar.

Mother’s Day in the US, and many other parts of the world is a more secular event celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It was created in 1908 by Anna Jarvis from Grafton, West Virginia, following the death of her own mother in 1905 she wanted to have a day honouring the sacrifices mother made for their children. However, she did not appreciate the commercial nature of Mother’s Day and campaigned to have this removed from the calendar, stating “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”

The day is now a chance to show love and gratitude to your mum, through giving thoughtful gifts, acts of kindness and spending time with her. Traditional gifts for mothers included flowers and cake. Today it is still convention to spoil your mum with a stunning bouquet of flowers, or more modern gifts such as beauty treatments, perfume, clothes or jewellery and the all-important card.

We have a great range of jewellery-based gifts and what is even better is we are in mid-season sale so you can show you how much you care while still getting a great deal.

There are no hard and fast rules around celebrating Mother’s Day with most families having their own ways of celebrating the day, often starting with breakfast in bed. Often it is seen as a day “off” from the domestic routine for mothers, with children and partners doing the chores. Booking a table at a local pub for lunch is often a popular choice to take mum to spoil her.