Mothering Sunday
MOthering sunday
How to remember the history and celebrate in a meaningful and environmentally friendly way
Mothering Sunday is approaching in the UK - it takes place traditionally the fourth Sunday during Lent and three weeks before Easter Sunday.
Many other countries celebrate Mother’s Day, which has its roots in America and came about in 1908 by Anna Jarvis to honour her mother. While they are similarly named, their history is different. Something I wasn’t aware of until I decided to write a post about it, so I hope this is interesting for you as well.
Regardless of the name or location though, this is the third biggest holiday where cards are bought and sent and the reasons behind the day are largely lost and, as with many holidays now, over commercialised. So please read on for the history about these dates and also some tips to celebrate in an eco-friendly way.
Please also remember that not everyone has their mother around so this day can be particularly hard. If you know someone who is missing their mother, why not invite them over for a walk or a dinner and if they are willing to share, share memories.
Also, Mother Earth is a mother to us all, so please keep her in mind when thinking of what to do too.
History of mothering sunday
Did you know that Mothering Sunday has been around in the UK since the 16th / 17th Century and initially had no connection to our mums? It was a religious festival where the word ‘mothering’ was referring to ‘mother church’. It became a tradition that on this Sunday, people would return to their mother church for a special ceremony. Children were encouraged to pick flowers on their way to hand to their mothers. Simnel cake, a rich fruit cake with marzipan, was baked as a treat for this day to make up for the austerity of Lent and was decorated with 11 balls of marzipan to symbolise the 11 apostles. In the 20th Century, Mothering Sunday fell out of fashion until the daughter of a vicar, Constance Penswick-Smith, worked hard to bring it back.
History of Mother’s Day
This is a different date and was the brainchild of Anna Jarvis in 1908 as she wanted to honour her mother who was a militant peace activist during the US Civil War. While Mother’s Day was initially laughed at when Anna wanted to make it an official day, President Woodrow Wilson officially signed it into existence in 1914. By the 1920s, Hallmark was leading the way towards commercialising this day by manufacturing and selling cards.
Interestingly enough, Anna Jarvis was outraged at this commercialisation and actively resented it, going so far as to battle it, believing it to be her intellectual property. Despite being a minor celebrity, she never made any money from it and died penniless.
Whether you are religious or not, the history behind this date is pretty interesting, right?
Fun fact: The white carnation was Anna’s mother’s favourite flower and so became the flower to symbolise Mother’s Day.
“The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying”
Ideas to celebrate
There are a great many ideas to show our mums that we value them on this day, and we can make the change to bring it back to it’s roots. Why not try some of these tips and suggestions, and they don’t have to cost the earth or you!
Home made cards
Breakfast in bed
Bake them a cake or their favourite treat
Pick a couple of flowers from the garden to give her
Give her a head or foot massage - there are some really easy tips online
Plant some seeds together - share the love with Mother Earth
Make lunch or dinner for your mum, or go for a walk to the local pub and treat her there (you may need to book)
Do the washing up or laundry or hoovering for them - or any other chore they usually do for you
Create a booklet of IOUs for them to use that you would actually honour, such as a hug or washing up when they need it the most
What about a selaction of their favourite films or taking them out to the cinema for that film you have been meaning to watch?
A walk in their favourite park or woods
A membership to a cause close to their heart
Donate to their favourite charity
Buy a goat online for a family in need and spread the love - check out Oxfam for other gifts like this here
What about store bought items though?
You can of course go down the route of store bought items such as chocolates, flowers and cards. When searching for these please try to remember the following:
Are the flowers in season and local? If not, there will be a big carbon footprint for them
Try to pick a card that isn’t wrapped in plastic and doesn’t have glitter as they are non recyclable
Try to get chocolates wrapped in foil and cardboard instead of plastic. If you buy something in plastic, is it recyclable (labelled PET 1 or HDPE 2)?
I’m going to leave you with this quote from Anna Jarvis, which I hope resonates with you. Don’t forget, the most important thing is creating memories you can cherish for the rest of your life. Our mothers are important every day of the year. Try to show them you care as often as possible. And please also remember that not everyone has the same relationship with their mother, or even has their mother around still. Share your love with those who also need it, and be mindful of nature. After all, we all have Mother Earth.
“A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”
She was a strong woman! Wishing you, your friends and other family members love this Mothering Sunday xx
Sources:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/05/150507-mothers-day-history-holidays-anna-jarvis/
https://metro.co.uk/2018/03/09/mothers-day-start-created-7374004/
https://inews.co.uk/light-relief/offbeat/mothers-day-2019-uk-when-date-mothering-sunday-504522
https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/blogs/article/mothering-sunday/