| Muttertag, Mothering Sunday, Fête des | | | | from you, or one reminisce about one of your |
| Mères, La Festa della Mamma or DÃa de | | | | favourite mom memories. Alternatively, each note |
| las Madres - wherever you are in the world or | | | | can offer to do a particular chore, helping your |
| whatever you call Mother's Day, it is once again | | | | mom out around the house for days to come! |
| fast-approaching that time of year! For those of | | | | - Cook your mom her favourite breakfast/lunch |
| us in South Africa who can never remember this | | | | dinner and set the table beautifully with all the |
| ever-changing date, bookmark Sunday May the | | | | best china. Sitting down and spending some quality |
| 11th as your mom's special day (and for those of | | | | time with your mother over a good meal will |
| you who plan ahead, don't book anything else on | | | | mean more to her than any expensive gift. |
| 10 May 2009 either!). | | | | - Draw a portrait of your mother, your family or |
| No one would argue that Mothers the world over | | | | her favourite pet (if you can!) and have it framed. |
| deserve a special day of recognition and it is our | | | | If your talents do not extend this far, have a |
| job to make this day extraordinary. But not all of | | | | really old and memorable photograph framed. |
| us have a lot of time or money to spoil our | | | | - Make a scrap book or photograph album or |
| mom's in the extravagant way that we wish to. | | | | your mom's history as a mother, to remind her |
| But have no fear! Whether you want to pamper | | | | of all the good times (great to pull out when she |
| the mother of your children or give back to the | | | | is mad at you later!). |
| mom that spoils you - the perfect option for you | | | | - Make your mom a "no whining certificate" - |
| is out there! | | | | when she cashes it in - stop! |
| The History of Mother's Day | | | | For your wife or the mother of your children: |
| As a starting point, impress your mother over | | | | - Take care of everything around the house for a |
| breakfast with your vast knowledge of this | | | | day - meals, washing, kids, making the bed, |
| special day. | | | | washing the car - forcing her to put her feet up! |
| Mother's Day has been celebrated in one form or | | | | - Phone up a few of her friends and send them |
| another for centuries, with its earliest origins being | | | | out for coffee while you babysit the kids. |
| found in Ancient Greece and Rome. The Greeks | | | | - Get the kids to draw or paint a Mother's Day |
| held an annual festival in honour of Cybele, the | | | | picture and have it framed. |
| mother of all Greek Gods, while the Romans | | | | - Head off for a romantic picnic outdoors and |
| celebrated a similar holiday called Matronalia. In the | | | | pack a basket filled with all her favourite things. |
| Roman festival all mothers were presented with a | | | | - If you are more adventurous, get your partner |
| gift, beginning the trend that we still follow today. | | | | out the house for a while and finish up all those |
| Mother's Day around the World | | | | DIY jobs that she has been wanting done. If you |
| Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom and | | | | have the time, remodelling a room in the house |
| Ireland falls in March and on the last Sunday of | | | | would be the ultimate Mother's Day surprise! |
| Lent. Originally this day marked the annual tradition | | | | Online Mother's Day Gifts |
| of when all Christian people attended their mother | | | | For those with severe time constraints, buying a |
| church and mothers were reunited with their | | | | Mother's Day gift online is the perfect option - it |
| children. In our more modern and secular society, | | | | will even be wrapped and delivered! The variety |
| the day now officially exists to celebrate and pay | | | | online is mind-blowing with so much more on offer |
| homage to the work of mothers. | | | | than just the traditional bouquet of flowers. |
| Loosely emulating the British day, the United | | | | If your mother has a great sense of humour, gag |
| States' recognises mothers on the second Sunday | | | | gifts like the "Anger Management Choking |
| of May each year. Julia Ward Howe initially | | | | Husband" is a perfect choice. Strangle this doll |
| promoted this holiday following the American Civil | | | | instead of the real thing and watch your mom's |
| War as a call to unite women against war. This | | | | stress levels drop as she squeals in delight as its |
| idea was inspired by Ann Jarvis, a campaigner | | | | eyes bulge, legs kick and cheeks turn bright red! |
| during the war who brought women together to | | | | If you're looking for something a little bit more |
| fight for better sanitary conditions for the soldiers | | | | unusual and interactive, why not book your mom |
| fighting both sides. Following the war, Ann also did | | | | into a fun new course or activity. Anything from |
| extensive work in healing the rift between | | | | learning to scuba dive, to horse back riding, a 4X4 |
| confederate and union neighbours. After her | | | | driving course and tandem sky diving is available |
| death, her daughter Anna Jarvis fought for a | | | | to book online. Book for two and join your mom |
| national holiday in her mother's honour, which was | | | | on the exciting adventure that she has always |
| eventually granted in 1912. Universalised to | | | | wanted to try. |
| remember all mothers who lost sons through war, | | | | If you have something slightly more relaxing in |
| the idea soon became massively commercialised | | | | mind, various spa packages are also available |
| and today is one of America's most lucrative | | | | online and can be tailored to suit your mother's |
| holidays. | | | | specific relaxation needs. Let her be pampered |
| Although falling on different days and with | | | | and spoiled with hot oil massages, reflexology and |
| different histories, Mother's Day is celebrated in | | | | a facial. |
| most countries around the world. The majority, | | | | Amazing present options and gift hampers are |
| particularly in Asia, offer a highly commercialised | | | | also easy to purchase online. Send your mom a |
| and marketed form of the holiday, following the | | | | basket of champagne and luxury chocolates, an |
| American tradition. But most do share the main | | | | aromatherapy kit or a designer decorative item. |
| idea of celebrating and showing appreciation for | | | | Online Vouchers |
| mothers, and in Africa in particular, this practice | | | | If you really can't decide what to get the special |
| has been occurring for generations, long before | | | | mother in your life and would prefer to give her a |
| the arrival of western and commercial influences. | | | | gift that lasts throughout the year, then amazing |
| Mother's Day Gifts on a Budget | | | | online vouchers are the answer. Companies like |
| The old adage really is true - it is the thought that | | | | Amazing Vouchers offer subscriptions that supply |
| counts! Any mother would be touched to see | | | | you with a large set of vouchers every month. |
| time and effort spent on her, regardless of the | | | | Receive huge discounts at many trendy |
| cost. But this doesn't have to mean pink | | | | restaurants, pubs and coffee shops, learn |
| homemade cards and heart-shaped cushions - | | | | something new during a fun course at reduced |
| there are a number of fun and unique ideas out | | | | rates or pamper yourself with a beauty |
| there that suit any budget, time-frame and | | | | treatment. |
| talents! | | | | The discounts and freebies offered from these |
| For your mother: | | | | voucher services are endless and the choice of |
| - Bake your mom her favourite cake and ice it | | | | what to use is left up to your mom! Arriving once |
| with a loving or funny Mother's Day message. | | | | a month, this is a gift that keeps on giving and |
| - Fill a decorative jar with notes. You mom can | | | | makes sure that your mom feels special and |
| pull one out a day and read a special message | | | | pampered all year round. |