Mother's Day is upon us once again this weekend as families across the world gear up to celebrate everything our mums have done for us
There are plenty of great Mother's Day gifts and deals out there for people to take advantage of, including last-minute flower bouquets and bargain gifts.
The history of the day goes back a long way and is related to the Christian calendar, but its meaning has changed over time.
The meaning can also vary from person to person. For some, it is a chance to spend time with and give thanks to their mum, while for others it is a chance to honour the memory of people who have passed away.
So when is Mother's Day, also known as Mothering Sunday?
When is Mother's Day?
Mother's Day 2022 falls on Sunday, March 27.
The term 'Mother's Day' technically means the day dedicated to the celebration of mums everywhere, whereas Mothering Sunday tended to refer to a Christian tradition that began in the 16th century where people would visit either the church they grew up in or were baptised.
The dates for the next few years are as follows:
- 2023 - March 19
- 2024 - March 10
- 2025 - March 30
- 2026 - March 16
Why does the Mother's Day date change?
The celebration falls on the fourth Sunday in Lent and the date changes depending on Easter and the Christian calendar.
Easter and Lent changes every year depending on the cycle of the moon and means that Easter Sunday can occur on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25.
Mother's Day shouldn't be confused with the day in the US, which always falls on the second Sunday in May.
Why do we celebrate Mother's Day?
There are various reasons we celebrate Mother's Day, but it is now seen as a chance to be grateful to our mum for everything they have done for us over the years
Until recently it was more commonly known as 'Mothering Sunday'.
There were ancient Greek festivals that celebrated motherhood as well in honour of their god Rhea and festivals were also held by the Romans, so the tradition is nothing new.
In Europe and the UK, a special service would see people returning to their 'mother church' during Lent.
Like with other Christian holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, the day has become more of a secular tradition and widely commercialised.
In the US, abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe set up Mothers’ Friendship Day in the wake of the American Civil War in 1868 to promote reconciliation with the mothers of Union and Confederate troops.
In fact, Anna Jarvis, who pushed for the idea for Mother's Day to be celebrated in the US as part of the national calendar, eventually criticised the commercialisation of the day and lobbied to have it removed.
Jarvis was the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, who had set up work clubs for mums to come together.
Anna had originally campaigned to have it as part of the national calendar and President Woodrow Wilson officially added it in 1914.
