Ah, mums. What would we do without them? From the beginning of time, mothers have — literally — kept society going. On Mother’s Day, we have the opportunity to express gratitude for the incredible mothers in our lives through special gestures and gifts. On this day, we thank all mothers for working tirelessly to provide for their families; for offering pearls of wisdom we couldn’t live without; for showing us how to survive in a chaotic world, and for leading the way for the next generation. Whether you’re planning celebrations for the woman who brought you into this world or another motherly figure in your life, let’s pause for a moment and reflect on why Mother’s Day is so important.
Table of Contents
The History Of Mother’s Day
The Beginnings
The Mother’s Day Pioneers
As We Know It Today
Where Is Mother’s Day Celebrated?
How To Celebrate Mother’s Day
Take Her For A Spin In Her Dream Car
Take A Class Together
Treat Her To A Self-Care Day
Go Glamping
Take Her On A Shopping Trip
Host A Dinner-And-Games Night
The History Of Mother’s Day
The Beginnings
The seeds for Mother’s Day were sewn all the way back in ancient Greece when festivals were held to honour Rhea, Mother of the Gods. Ancient Romans celebrated their own Mother of the Gods, Cybele, through similar practices. Later down the line in 16th Century England, Mothering Sunday became a popular tradition amongst families. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, children would return to their family church, also known as their mother church, for the day.
The Mother’s Day Pioneers
Three key women paved the way for the annual Mother’s Day celebrations we partake in today.
In the 1850s-1860s, American peace activist and civil war nurse Ann Jarvis created Mother’s Day Work Clubs for local communities with the purpose of addressing public health matters, such as sanitary issues and infant mortality rates. She also coordinated a Mother’s Day Friendship Day to bring civil war veterans back together again after years of rivalry.
The world’s second Mother’s Day pioneer made her mark in the 1870s. American women’s rights activist and writer Julia Howe appealed to women to unite and bring peace through the world. She suggested that a Mother’s Day for peace should occur every June.
It wasn’t until 1908 that the concept of Mother’s Day was introduced back into public consciousness. When Ann Jarvis passed away, her daughter Anna Marie Jarvis held a church memorial to honour her legacy. On the second Sunday in May 1908, Anna Marie followed in her mother’s footsteps and arranged a Mother’s Day commemoration service. It was 6 years later in 1914 that American President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mother’s Day an annual event.
As We Know It Today
In the 1920s, Mother’s Day as we know it today — featuring cards and gifting — was born. Sydney’s Janet Heyden kickstarted the tradition when she campaigned for schools and local businesses to collect gifts for lonely, forgotten mothers in Australian hospitals. In the same decade, Hallmark, florists, and retailers commercialised the annual event, making cards, flowers, and gifts the heroes of modern Mother’s Day celebrations.
Where Is Mother’s Day Celebrated?
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at Mother’s Day around the world. Mother’s Day is celebrated in about 50 countries, though not all countries celebrate it on the same day.
Countries that celebrate Mother’s Day include:
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
Germany
Guernsey
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Isle of man
Italy
Jersey
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Korea
Norway
Panama
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Thailand
UK
Ukraine
USA
Venezuela
How To Celebrate Mother’s Day
Is the annual Mother’s Day breakfast-in-bed feeling a little…stale? Our mums do so much for us — more than we’ll ever be able to repay them for — so this Mother’s Day, it’s time to get creative. Here are a few ideas to inspire your Mother’s Day planning.
Take Her For A Spin In Her Dream Car
If you want to make this Mother’s Day one she’ll never forget, hire your mum’s dream car and take her for a spin! Pack a picnic basket with all of her favourite things and head out for a day trip. Make sure to snap lots of pictures of your mum behind the wheel to frame later.
Take A Class Together
Whether your mum has always wanted to try her hand at pottery, salsa dancing, or baking the perfect sourdough, book a special class this Mother’s Day and learn something new together.
Treat Her To A Self-Care Day
Invite your mum to indulge in some much-needed self-care. The peace, quiet, and relaxation will be a welcomed time-out from life’s busyness. Set up an at-home pamper party and enjoy a day of face masks, mani-pedis, and champagne. You can check our guide on how to throw a pamper party here[1] . Think she’d prefer a salon experience? Gift her our Pamper Card, which can be used at a wide range of salons, beauty clinics, and day spas across Australia.
Go Glamping 
Glamping is the ultimate Mother’s Day experience for mums who love being amongst nature. Glamping takes things up a notch from traditional camping, featuring elaborate and luxurious tent set-ups, often with the option of champagne upon arrival. Settle in and enjoy a glamorous, relaxing evening together.
Take Her On A Shopping Trip
We all know the kind of mum who would rather give to those around her than treat herself to something special. A mini shopping spree is a perfect way to tick some most-wanted items off her wishlist while spending some quality time together. Not sure where to start? Explore our range of Mother’s Day gift cards to get you on your way.
Host A Dinner-And-Games Night
Nothing says family bonding quite like a game night. Gather the family around and cook your mum’s favourite meal before settling into a game night. We recommend creating your very own trivia game. The theme? Your mum! Think categories like Mum’s Favourite Sayings, Mum’s Career, Mum’s Pet Peeves, and Mum’s Life Before Us!
Looking for more ideas on what to do for Mother’s Day? Check out our dedicated article here[2] . You can also visit our article on what to get mum for Mother’s Day here[3] .
