How Did Mother's Day Shopping Begin?

Mother's Day is a tradition celebrated in manyAnna herself spent the rest of her life railing
places around the world, and in the UK andagainst the day that she had fought so hard to
Ireland, the special day for honouring mothersmake a national holiday.
occurs in March each year and is always theNowadays here in the UK and also in countries
fourth Sunday of Lent. In years gone past,such as the United States, Canada and Australia,
Mother's Day was called Mothering Sunday andMother's Day shopping has become a great
was a Christian celebration recognised alltradition all in itself, as people search for the
throughout Europe.perfect gift to present to their mums. Some
In the days of Mothering Sunday, back at thepopular ideas for gifts for Mother's Day include
beginning of the 17th century, everyone attendedflowers, jewellery, gift baskets, beauty products,
services at their mother church to celebrate theclothing, handbags, photo frames, books and
joyous day of honouring the Virgin Mary. Andhousehold items.
because of the great fanfare and importance ofAnd although some have fallen prey to the
this day when families were reunited, soonmodernisation of the day and purchase expensive
apprentices and domestic servants were grantedgifts or overpriced meals for their mothers, either
the day off so they too could visit their ownout of pressure from society or guilt, others still
mothers, usually taking with them a gift such asrecognise the great importance of simply letting
fresh bouquets of wildflowers or tasty cakes andmum know how much she means to them and
treats.showering her with simple gestures of love and
Now, several hundred years later, it is stillkindness.
commonplace to present our mothers with giftsIf you must follow a strict budget and aren't able
and cards in appreciation of them. However,to spend a lot of money, find creative ways of
Mothering Sunday was a tradition that had nearlymaking mum feel special such as by making her a
completely died out in the UK by the time thedelicious meal, having a picnic in the park, or
19th century arrived and it was not until after themaking a homemade card.
second World War that the British beganToday, Mother's Day is undoubtedly, in many
celebrating what was to become known ascountries, a day for the biggest sales of greeting
Mother's Day once again after American soldierscards and flowers as well as for long distance
helped to revive the idea.phone calls as people around the world honour
In the U.S., Mother's Day was the idea of atheir mothers. And while florists, shops, and
woman named Anna Jarvis who thought a specialboutiques will all be packed to the rafters this and
day should be designated to honour mothers andevery other Mother's Day to come, many mums
all they do for their families. But, the day quicklysay they still appreciate a handmade, heartfelt gift
became so commercialised in the country thatthe very most.