Mother's Day Article

Mother's Day Traditions Around the World!

Mothers' Day was first officially recognized in the United States in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as the official date on which we would recognize mothers throughout the country.

Wilson's proclamation came about due to the efforts of Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia. She campaigned for this recognition on behalf of her mother who was very unhappy about the hatred that evolved during the Civil War.

Her mother felt that great healing of the hatred could be achieved between North and South, families and even brothers who fought against one another during the war if they would honor their mothers on a special day that would make them forget about fighting.

From this beginning, traditions of Mother's Day celebrations have become established in the U.S. and many other countries.

In the United States, children often make a homemade breakfast for mother to enjoy while she relaxes in bed. Others create gifts for Mom or surprise her by helping Dad prepare dinner. Some say, "I love you" and "thanks for all you have done for me" with a handmade card and a bouquet of fresh roses from a local floral retailer. In some homes it has become a tradition that each child give Mom a rose for each year of his or her age.

Mother's Day is also celebrated on the second Sunday in May in Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium. In Norway, it falls on the second Sunday in February and in Argentina on the second Sunday in October, while Lebanon's official day is held on the first day of spring. In Russia, they celebrate "Women's Day" in early March, while in Mexico it is always on May 10. Yugoslavia, Japan, South Africa and India also commemorate Mother's Day.

In Spain and Portugal, Mother's Day is December 8. Tribute is paid to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Children honor their mothers at this time by presenting them with gifts of white roses signifying strength and devotion. Also, on that day a group of young people visit the President's wife, presenting her with a bouquet of red roses and mixed flowers, and greetings from every boy and girl in the land.

The last Sunday in May is celebrated much like a family birthday for French mothers. From grandparents to the youngest children, everyone gathers around the family dining table for dinner. At the end of the meal a beautiful cake decorated with roses is presented to the mothers attending.

Sweden also celebrates on the last Sunday in May. Shortly before the holiday, the Swedish Red Cross sells single roses on the streets of the community. The money from these "Mother's Flowers" is used to give vacations to mothers with many children.

Although traditions vary greatly and have changed over the years, flowers, especially roses, have always been considered the signature flower for telling Mom you think "she's the best." In fact, Roses Inc., the international trade association of greenhouse growers of fresh cut roses, expects that in the month of May over 140 million roses will be sold with the majority of them going to 21 million Moms for Mother's Day. One, three or five blooms, or a full dozen, can carry your thoughts of love and appreciation for that special mother, grandmother or mother-in-law. And, best of all, you can vary the number of roses you purchase to fit your budget so children of every age can put a special meaning on their own Mother's Day wishes. A fun family project that will let you keep your Mother's Day rose memories is to collect the rose petals from your bouquet as they fade and make them into a rose potpourri. For directions on how to make rose potpourri click here.

Source: Roses Inc.