Send Flowers for Mother's Day

The History of Mothering Sunday & Mother's Day Traditions Around the World

The earliest Mother’s Day celebrations are thought to originate in ancient Greece to honour Rhea, mother of the gods. In Rome, celebrations to honour the mother of their gods, Cybele lasted 3 days.

Christianity is thought to have adopted these special celebrations, substituting Mary, Mother of God and later the Mother Church as the focus. It became Christian custom that everyone attended the mother church of their parish on this day.

In the UK, the beginnings of the Mother’s Day celebrations as we know them began in the Middle Ages. Overtime, Mothering Sunday as it was called then, was celebrated to honour your own mother on the 4th Sunday in Lent (3 weeks before Easter).

The origin of giving flowers on this day is thought to stem from the custom of servants given the day off to return home to celebrate, were often allowed to pick flowers from their master’s land to take home to their mothers.

Across the world Mothers have a special day. In Europe most countries honour their mothers on the second Sunday in May as do the Americans. May 10th is the day dedicated to mothers in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

Mother’s Day is the biggest flower selling occasion in the UK despite all the competition from other products. 35% of all adults buy flowers for their mothers (or for their children to give to their mothers) at this time.

Last year favourite flowers for Mothers Day included roses – still the favourite flower of UK women according to the Flower and Plants Association - summer flowers, carnations and chrysanthemums. Mixed bouquets were also popular.

Information supplied courtesy of the Flower Council of Holland.