Mother’s Day is a holiday honouring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. Many of us look forward to this day to let our mother figures know how special they are to us.
But do you know how this day came into existence, when was it first observed. or who celebrated it first?
History of Mother’s Day
The first modern Mother’s Day celebration began in the US through the efforts of Anna Jarvis. Her mother wanted a special day for mothers. When she passed, Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in 1908, three years after her death. This memorial occurred at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in West Virginia. While Jarvis herself was unable to attend, she sent a telegram to the attendees and highlighted the significance of the day. She also sent them five hundred white carnations.
While one day is really not enough to pay tribute to mothers and all they do for their children and their communities, this calendar day encourages people to support and acknowledge all mothers’ efforts.
10 Activities for Mother’s Day
If you’re not sure how to celebrate mom on this special day, here are some fun things that you can do with her to create lasting memories:
1. Make a pizza together
Mary She from Unsplash
This is an activity and a meal all at once. Start by making your own basic pizza dough and then adding toppings. Your mom gets first pick on the toppings, of course.
2. Plant some flowers
If you have some extra space in your yard or existing garden, you can brighten up your place by planting flowers with Mom. Choose various flower seeds that grow well in your climate. You and the rest of the family can write short messages or create little drawings celebrating your mom on sticks and plant them alongside the seeds. Before long, both the flowers and the messages will be blooming and you’ll have a Mother’s Day gift that keeps on growing.
Related article: Tips for Container Gardening in the Summer
3. Host a family tournament on your lawn
Whether it’s croquet, cornhole, bocce, outdoor Jenga, or horseshoes, choose your family’s favourite lawn game. Split everyone into teams and have a friendly competition while soaking in the sun’s rays. The winning team can even get a trophy.
4. Give flower bouquets
They don’t have to be fancy and you can send them from anywhere. I personally like potted flowers as they last much longer.
5. Make your mom breakfast in bed
Cory Bjork from Unsplash
Or rather, brunch in bed. Serve up her favourite breakfast foods, from flapjacks to eggs. Don’t forget the coffee and/or mimosas!
6. Give her a much-needed day off
Celebrate your mom by taking care of all her regular duties for a day, from cooking and cleaning to running errands.
7. Make her a photo book
Include photos of her and the family, milestones, little messages/notes, and more.
8. Bake together
Mother’s Day wouldn’t be complete without something sweet. If your mom loves to bake, has a favourite dessert, or is open to trying something new, whip up some cookies, a cake, or something else.
9. Give her a few hours of uninterrupted sleep
Mothers often have packed schedules, leaving little time for sleep. Let her catch some much-needed ZZs. If you have a baby or small child, keep them out of hearing range. Gifting your mom a lavender eye pillow can make her rest even more relaxing.
10. Create a gratitude jar
As a family, write down all the reasons why you love Mom on scraps of paper, roll them up, and put them in a jar. Then have her read each one. She’ll feel grateful knowing her hard work is appreciated.
Celebrate Your Way
There is no right or wrong way to celebrate this special day. Different approaches work for different families. You can also celebrate not just your mother but other women in your family and women outside your family who have shaped your life.
The best kind of celebration might be a calm and simple one. Happy Mother’s Day from GSGF!
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