7 Unique Mother’s Day Traditions From Around The World

Mothers are the sweetest creatures on the planet, always awake and ready for their children. And it is for this reason that we have Mother's Day to honor them. Although, at times, I believe that every day should be Mother's Day. But wouldn't that make it boring? So let's limit ourselves to one. The most significant!

Mothers have always been celebrated and honored in the world. Since the beginning of time. People all over the world have their own ways of showing their mothers how much they love them. It's also worth noting that mother's day traditions vary greatly across countries. My interest in culture led me to seek out these fascinating rituals all over the world. And this is what I came up with!

A heartwarming list of the sweetest Mother’s Day traditions around the world!

Mother's Day is a special occasion. Thousands of people celebrate their mothers every year by giving them gifts, flowers, cakes, and other treats. However, celebrations vary greatly by country and culture. Even the dates differ from time to time. Let's take a look at how some countries around the world celebrate Mother's Day. And how these can motivate you to make this year's Mother's Day even more special for your mother.

Mother’s Day Traditions in the Americas

USA

Mother's Day was first observed in the United States in 1908 when Anna Jarvis proposed a day to honor the sacrifices made by mothers for their children. Anna Jarvis was the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, who was a pioneer in the establishment of Mothers' Day Work Clubs in the nineteenth century. Mothers were taught how to properly care for their children at this facility. Anna's perseverance, combined with the simultaneous adoption of the cause by states and churches, resulted in the official establishment of Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May in 1914.

Every year in the United States, Mother's Day is celebrated with pomp and circumstance. Mothers take the day off from housework, and their children prepare large, elaborate dinners for them. Take them out to their favorite restaurants for lunch. If a child is unable to visit her mother on this special day, she must call and send flowers. In the United States, carnations are the official Mother's Day flower! But, in reality, people simply buy the flower that their mothers like. Isn't that wonderful?

On Mother's Day, Americans not only give flowers to their mothers, but they also wear flower corsages. This is a custom that is unique to the United States. Wearing a pink carnation honor a living mother, while a white carnation honors a deceased mother.

Bring the USA home this Mother’s Day

• Make your mother a heartfelt, elaborate meal featuring her favorite dishes.

• Wear a corsage of carnations (pink/white) to express your love and affection for your mother.

Mexico

In Mexico, La Dia de la Madre, or Mother's Day, has an interesting history. El Hogar, a Mexican magazine, collaborated with the Association of Catholic Ladies to publish an article on the connections between motherhood and traditional Mexican values. Right around the time that Mexican women were venturing into the professional world and deciding to have fewer children. The first Mother's Day in Mexico was observed on May 10, 1922, in support of the motherhood campaign. The festival quickly took on sacred connotations and gained widespread acceptance. Particularly among women. Since then, every year on May 10th, Mexico has celebrated La Dia de la Madre.

Every year, May 10th is a busy day in Mexico. Almost everyone goes out to eat for lunch or dinner, and the restaurants are crowded. Reservations must be made weeks in advance. The family gathers for a traditional Mexican lunch while listening to traditional Mexican music. Everyone loves and appreciates their mothers and grandmothers. Children give flowers, candies, or other gifts to their mothers. They frequently put on a small play to express their feelings.

Bring Mexico home this Mother’s Day

• Plan a family lunch or dinner with Mexican food and music.

• Stage a play based on your mother's life to relive some of those cherished memories.

Peru

Mother's Day is a big deal in Peru. Instead of just one day, it is observed here for a week. Throughout the week, families plan dinners, lunches, parties, and trips. Art exhibitions and musical performances are common throughout the city. During this week, mothers can also visit museums, exhibitions, and festivals for free. Children lavish flowers and gifts on their mothers. And tell them poems and stories! 

One distinctive feature of Peruvian mother's day celebrations is that they also honor their deceased mothers. People pay flowers and balloons to the graves of their deceased mothers, grandmothers, and wives. Peru is probably the most enthusiastic about Mother's Day celebrations of any country I've visited. 7 days! That was both long and entertaining!

Bring Peru home this Mother’s Day

• Why not throw a week-long party for your mother as the Peruvians do? Help her with her chores, shower her with gifts, and do something special for her on a daily basis.

• Organize free art exhibits and home museums for your mother! This could include taking your family on a trip down memory lane!

Mother’s Day Traditions in Europe

UK

Every year on the fourth Sunday of Lent, the United Kingdom celebrates Mother's Day. That means it is a couple of months ahead of Mother's Day in the United States. Mother's Day in the United Kingdom is also known by a different name. It's known as Mothering Sunday.

Previously, the day had nothing to do with mothers in the United Kingdom. It was instead a day when Christians would go to their "mother" church. However, as the emphasis shifted away from religion, Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom became associated with family mothers. On this festive day, the British honor and celebrate their mothers.

Children usually give their mothers gift cards and flowers. And prepare breakfast in bed for them. Traditionally, Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom has been centered on good food. Preparing a Simnel Cake, which is enjoyed by the entire family, is one of the most important rituals. Pancakes and other delectable treats are also popular.

Italy

In Italy, Mother's Day is known as La Festa Della Mamma. The most important person in the house is the Italian mamma. Throughout the year, she is feted in some way. On Mother's Day, however, she is pampered and appreciated even more.

La Festa Della Mamma is held on the second Sunday of May each year. Celebrations are straightforward. Family members try to get together to spoil their mothers. You must call if you are unable to return home. Small gifts, fresh flowers (usual roses), and handwritten poetry are popular. Cards are not widely used in Italy.

The day begins with a quick breakfast. The family then goes out to eat for lunch to give Mamma a day off from cooking. Mother's Day concludes with a dessert, usually a heart-shaped cake! Isn't it adorable? In Italy, spending quality time with your mother is more important than anything else. And, of course, making her feel like the queen!

Bring Italy home this Mother’s Day

• Spend some time with your mother. Help her with her chores, watch a movie with her, or go out with her. Let her know how much you appreciate her.

• Make a heart-shaped cake and give her a rose. I'm sure she'll appreciate it.

France

Mother's Day is observed in France on the last Sunday of May or the first Sunday of June. The concept of Mother's Day originated in France during the Napoleonic era when families with a large number of children were awarded medals. On Mother's Day, some communities still honor this tradition by awarding medals to mothers.

On a more personal level, it is customary to present your mother with a flower bouquet cake. To put it another way, it's a cake shaped like a flower bouquet. An intimate family dinner is also quite common. Children present their mothers with flowers, perfumes, jewelry, or chocolates. Handmade gifts and handwritten poems are also available.

Bring France home this Mother’s Day 

• Make your mother a flower bouquet cake. And plan a lovely family dinner, either at home or in a restaurant.

• Have a fun award ceremony where you give out medals for your mother's various accomplishments.

Germany

Muttertag, or Mother's Day, is observed on the second Sunday of May in Germany. Mother's Day is thought to have originated in Germany sometime during the Middle Ages when relatives visited each other and wished each other a happy spring and the beginning of life. During the German Reich, Mother's Day took on new significance. Mothers who had four or more children received a Cross of Honor. However, after World War II, the celebrations became more neutral.

Today, Mother's Day in Germany is very similar to Mother's Day everywhere else in the world. Children give their mothers gifts, cards, and flowers. Flowers can be as colorful as they want to be. Surprising visitors are not uncommon. It's also not uncommon to give your mother plane tickets! Yes, to go to your or her favorite place on the planet. What a wonderful thing!

Bring Germany home this Mother’s Day

• If your mother lives a long distance away, pay her a surprise visit. Make something special for her and spend some quality time with her.

• Give the gift of travel to her. Make a reservation for her return trip to the land of wanderlust.

Isn’t this an exciting roundup of mother’s day traditions from around the world?

Across cultures, a single day or festival can mean a variety of things. And that is precisely what these traditions demonstrate. While for some, Mother's Day heralds the arrival of spring and new life, for others, it honors women who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. For many others, it is simply pampering the woman they adore.

Whatever the reason, loving the women in your life and giving them extra reasons to smile is always a good idea. So, which Mother's Day tradition are you going to follow this year? Is it a week-long celebration, a British Simnel cake, an Ethiopian meal, or fresh carnations? Or perhaps something completely different? Please let me know in the comments section below.

Facts:   20 Mother's Day Facts to Share With Your Mom