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