Celebrate the special woman in your life
Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8, is just 9 sleeps away, so think about how you can honour mum, or the special mother figure in your life.
Honouring mothers and motherhood is nothing new. Such festivals in ancient times were often tied to gods and goddesses. In the Middle Ages, people returned to their home or ‘‘mother’’ church once a year during the middle of Lent.
In 16th-century England, this celebration became ‘‘Mothering Sunday.’’ Children – mainly daughters who had gone to work as servants – were given the fourth Sunday of Lent off to return to their mothers and home parish. The eldest child brought a ‘‘mothering cake’’ to share as the family reunited for the day, with sons and daughters assuming all household duties and preparing a special dinner honouring mother.
Ways to celebrate in 2022
Offer garden services. Help in her garden for a day, or buy a voucher for garden products or services.
Decorate her front door. If you’re nearby, surprise her by adorning her door with streamers, a sign, and a wreath or flowers.
Cook for her. Breakfast in bed is always a classic and appreciated, whether simple toast or a croissant with jam or fruit, and a cup of coffee or tea. Or prepare a lovely brunch, lunch, high tea or dinner for her, either at her home or yours. If you don’t live locally, and can’t visit, gift a foodie treat.
Ring her for a chat. Set aside some time for a long chat on the phone, or better still, a video chat so she can see you. You could go all out and rope in other family for a group chat talent show!
Watch a movie or show
together. If you’re all in one place, have a movie night with ‘‘theatre’’ treats. If you’re in separate locations, watch the same movie at the same time. Or, start a marathon of your favourite TV series while indulging in a glass of wine or cup of tea. Netflix has a way to watch together online. Make her a video, a music playlist, or a piece of art. Record a video from all of the children.
They can each say ‘‘Happy Mother’s Day’’ and why they appreciate her. You could splice videos together on your phone. Or if she loves music, make a playlist of her favourites. Or create a special work of art; perhaps paint a terracotta flower pot and fill it with garden seeds and a card. Go for a stroll in the park or a hike, complete with a picnic.
Fresh air always lifts the spirits and autumn is a wonderful time to visit a park or trail, with the leaves changing colour. Top it off with a simple picnic.
Make a homemade gift. Mothers love gifts from the heart. Think gifts from the kitchen (eg, jam, herbal vinegar) or DIY beauty products (eg, homemade soap or scrub). Buy an extra-meaningful gift.
Think about what she loves, but perhaps would never buy for herself. How about a gorgeous scarf or jumper, or a piece of jewellery with her favourite gemstone, or a pampering spa day. Or if she has expressed an interest in a new hobby, whether it be fishing or crochet, buy her a voucher to get her started. Travel virtually to a museum or
garden. The wonders of technology make so much possible. Many museums are opening up their ‘‘walls’’ to offer virtual tours. Go international for extra excitement: choose from the Louvre in Paris, or the Vatican in Rome, or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. If she’s a garden lover, the famous Holland tulip farm Keukenhof has created a virtual tulip tour. Or visit Monet’s Gardens in France to see the waterlillies.