Well. It is and it isn't. Mother's Day in the UK is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which falls in March. The exact date varies each year because it is based on the Christian calendar. Traditionally, Mother's Day in the UK was a day for Christians to visit their "mother church" (the main church or cathedral in their area) and honour the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Read on for more fun facts 😉
The tradition of Mothering Sunday, which is the precursor to modern Mother's Day celebrations in the UK, has evolved significantly over the years. During the 16th century, Mothering Sunday became a day when servants and apprentices were given the day off to visit their families. This led to family reunions, with children returning home to spend time with their mothers.
Over time, Mothering Sunday evolved into a day to honour mothers specifically. Children would often pick flowers along the way to give to their mothers, and it became customary to give gifts and tokens of appreciation.
In the early 20th century, the commercialisation of Mothering Sunday began, with the sale of greeting cards and other gifts becoming increasingly common.
Overall, while the core sentiment of honouring mothers has remained constant, the way Mothering Sunday and Mother's Day are observed has evolved over time, reflecting changes in society, culture, and commercial influences.
Arguably the marketeers have encouraged it to evolve into another gift buying opportunity. As a mother myself, can't say I'm too upset about that! However nothing beats a cup of tea in bed, accompanied with a hand picked bunch of daffs.... and most importantly children that get along, at least for a day!
What would make your perfect Mother's Day?
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.