Mothers" Day - UK History
For anybody who has ever wondered about the origins of Mothers' Day in the UK Mothers' Day in the UK, traditionally known as 'Mothering Sunday', is believed to have originated from the 1600s and England was the first country in the world to dedicate a day for mothers.
It is known that about 400 years ago on this day people in villages would not visit their local church but would attend a large church, referred to as the 'mother church'.
Visiting the mother church was referred to as gone 'a mothering', which may explain the traditional terminology 'Mothering Sunday'.
The return to the 'mother church' became an occasion for family reunions with children who worked away from home.
By the 19th century, Mothering Sunday had become a traditional day for children working as domestic servants or apprentices to be given the day off to visit their mother and family.
The young boys and girls walking through meadows, on their way home to their family, would stop and pick the wild flowers for their mothers, hence flowers became the traditional Mothers' Day gift.
Mothers' Day is celebrated across the world, in more that 46 countries.
However, not all nations celebrate on the same day.
The date for Mothers' Day in the UK changes each year as it is determined by the fourth Sunday of the fasting period of Lent which lasts from Ash Wednesday.
In 2008 the UK celebrates on Sunday 2nd March.
In some areas of England the day maybe referred to as 'Simnel Sunday'.
This is in reference to the tradition of baking a rich almond cake for mothers called 'Simnel Cake'.
Housekeepers would allow young maids to bake the cake to take home to their mothers.
Today, the day is closely associated with the giving of mothers' day gifts and cards to show appreciation and respect to mothers across the world.
On a personal note, I like to give my mother a gift that is longer lasting than traditional flowers but is still feminine.
This year I am trying to decide between a reed scent diffuser, scented wax beads or a pampering body candle - or maybe all three!
It is known that about 400 years ago on this day people in villages would not visit their local church but would attend a large church, referred to as the 'mother church'.
Visiting the mother church was referred to as gone 'a mothering', which may explain the traditional terminology 'Mothering Sunday'.
The return to the 'mother church' became an occasion for family reunions with children who worked away from home.
By the 19th century, Mothering Sunday had become a traditional day for children working as domestic servants or apprentices to be given the day off to visit their mother and family.
The young boys and girls walking through meadows, on their way home to their family, would stop and pick the wild flowers for their mothers, hence flowers became the traditional Mothers' Day gift.
Mothers' Day is celebrated across the world, in more that 46 countries.
However, not all nations celebrate on the same day.
The date for Mothers' Day in the UK changes each year as it is determined by the fourth Sunday of the fasting period of Lent which lasts from Ash Wednesday.
In 2008 the UK celebrates on Sunday 2nd March.
In some areas of England the day maybe referred to as 'Simnel Sunday'.
This is in reference to the tradition of baking a rich almond cake for mothers called 'Simnel Cake'.
Housekeepers would allow young maids to bake the cake to take home to their mothers.
Today, the day is closely associated with the giving of mothers' day gifts and cards to show appreciation and respect to mothers across the world.
On a personal note, I like to give my mother a gift that is longer lasting than traditional flowers but is still feminine.
This year I am trying to decide between a reed scent diffuser, scented wax beads or a pampering body candle - or maybe all three!
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