Today (Sunday May 11) is “Mother’s Day” in North America and Australia (plus a few other places). A big “Thank You” to mothers everywhere for, well, simply being mothers and everything you do!
A special “Thank You” and much love to my Mum, of course, back in the UK. I get to express my special appreciation to her twice every year because in the UK Mother’s Day (or “Mothering Sunday” as it’s sometimes called) falls on a different Sunday. It’s 3 weeks before Easter Sunday, rather than the second Sunday in May (as in the USA).
The different dates reflect the different origins of the day. In the UK and Ireland (according to Wikipedia) the day was originally a religious event when the practice was to visit one’s “Mother Church”. Over time, the day evolved into a celebration of mothers and motherhood.
In the USA, the first nationally celebrated “Mother’s Day” was in 1914, but the event had been observed in various forms going back to the 1870s.
It’s a big commercial event, of course! (You did remember to do that “Mother’s Day” promotion?) According to IBISWorld, Amercians will spend around $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on “pampering” gifts and $68 million on cards. Plus it’s estimated that in 2008 Americans will spend approximately $3.5 billion on dining out for Mother’s Day.
Whatever you do, have a wonderful day!