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