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