Mother's Day is a beloved holiday celebrated in various parts of the world, but its origins can be traced back to ancient times. The modern incarnation of Mother's Day, however, has its roots in the efforts of one woman in the United States.

The earliest celebrations honouring mothers date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals dedicated to maternal goddesses. For example, the Greeks honoured Rhea, the mother of the gods, while the Romans celebrated Cybele, a mother goddess. These festivities typically involved rituals, offerings, and ceremonies to honour motherhood and fertility.

In the Christian tradition, Mothering Sunday was celebrated in the UK and parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. This holiday, which fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent, was a time for people to return to their "mother church" and honour the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Over time, Mothering Sunday evolved into a day to honour mothers and maternal figures with gifts and flowers.

However, the modern Mother's Day holiday as we know it today originated in the United States in the early 20th century, thanks to the efforts of Anna Jarvis. Anna Jarvis, inspired by her own mother's activism and desire for a day to honour mothers, campaigned tirelessly for the establishment of a national Mother's Day.

After her mother's death in 1905, Anna Jarvis began a letter-writing campaign to politicians, business leaders, and influential figures to advocate for the creation of a special day to honour mothers. Her efforts paid off when in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, a national holiday in the United States.

Anna Jarvis envisioned Mother's Day as a day of personal celebration, where people would express their gratitude and love for their mothers with handwritten notes, flowers, and visits. However, she soon became disillusioned with the commercialization of the holiday, as it became increasingly focused on buying gifts and cards.

Despite Anna Jarvis's efforts to preserve the original sentiment of Mother's Day, the holiday continued to evolve and spread internationally. Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in various countries around the world, each with its own customs and traditions, but its essence remains the same: a day to honour and appreciate the mothers and maternal figures in our lives.

We celebrate our mums with gifts at this time of year. we have a great range of mothers day gifts you can view the range here!