A LOOK AT HOW MOTHERS DAY IS CELEBRATED AROUND THE WORLD
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family and the influence of mothers in society. But why do we celebrate Mother’s Day? Let’s take a cultural trip to the story behind why we choose to celebrate our mothers. Mother’s Day is a day dedicated to all the mothers so that we can show our appreciation and love towards them. Every individual, culture, and country takes this through in their special way.
UK and Ireland
Mother’s Day can be confused with Mothering Sunday, as the two share the same date. On the way to church, children would pick flowers to make bouquets to give to their mothers, and this eventually evolved into a tradition of gift-giving. Mothering Sunday became less practiced through the early-20th century, until the 1950s when merchants noticed a commercial opportunity, paving the way for today’s tradition in the UK.
US
Americans celebrate the special day annually on the second Sunday in May, and gifts usually consist of carnations, the official flower of the day. Many other countries around the world also celebrate on the second Sunday of May – including New Zealand, Canada, and India – with festivities, dinners, pampering, and gifts.
Mexico
In Mexico, colorful Mother’s Day celebrations occur on 10 May, where children hand-make their presents, and churches hold special masses. In Russia, people used to celebrate on 8 March, which is International Women’s Day, but now do so on the last Sunday of November, though still typically giving presents in March.
Peru
In Peru, the week leading up to Mother’s Day—known as Dia de la Madre—involves many large meals, celebrations, and performances to honor the mothers in each community. While families around the world celebrate the actual holiday by taking mom to brunch or spending the day with her at home, families in Peru spend the day at the cemetery. On the second Sunday in May, families gather around the graves of female relatives and spend the day cleaning and decorating to honor them.
Korea
Korea has a ‘Parents Day’ which is an integration of Mothers Day and Fathers Day! National Parents' Day is primarily intended to be a time to honour and support one's parents. It's also a day of thanksgiving for what one's parents have done for them—parents make a lot of sacrifices that we take for granted, don't they? Carnation flowers are normally the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Parents' Day in South Korea. Students in South Korea make red carnations in art class as May 8th approaches. Prior to Parents' Day, children normally write a thank-you letter to accompany the carnations they made. They also place the carnations on their parents' chests and write them a letter of appreciation on the special day. Carnation flowers are normally the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Parents' Day in South Korea. Students in South Korea make red carnations in art class as May 8th approaches. Prior to Parents' Day, children normally write a thank-you letter to accompany the carnations they made. They also place the carnations on their parents' chests and write them a letter of appreciation on the special day.
All traditions and cultures honor mothers and women who have brought peace to this world. Even though we can – and definitely should – spoil our mothers on any day throughout the year, the denoted day gives us an excuse to express our utmost gratitude.