With roots in ancient Greece, it is not surprising that the history of Mother’s Day gifts comes from the traditions of a springtime festival honoring Rhea, mother of all the gods and goddesses. Offerings, gifts, and feasts were a part of this celebration, and this is one part of the foundation of Mother’s Day. With the influence of Christianity, Mother’s Day evolved to be a day to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, and this day was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Broadened further, it became “Mothering Sunday”, not only to honor all mothers but also to beckon people back to the church – the Mother Church.

“Mothering Sunday” was popularized in England but did not survive with the settlers in North America. Not until 1870, when Julia Ward Howe gave a speech calling for peace and the collaboration of women to end violence. Unfortunately, Howe was never able to get official recognition of Mother’s Peace Day. By her initiation, however, a woman named Anna Jarvis took Howe’s endeavor further and claimed success in 1914 when President Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day an official holiday in the US.

History of Mother’s Day Gifts: From Jarvis to the Present

Anna Jarvis had more than one motive in setting up a national Mother’s Day, and this fact is key to the history of Mother’s day gifts. Jarvis originally set out to establish Mother’s Day in honor of her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis. In 1908, Anna organized a church service to remember her mother, and through persistence Anna was able to convince the church to hold the special service annually for a few years, after which congress and then the president called for national recognition of the cause.

Given this history, the history of Mother’s day gifts in America essentially stems from a strong gift-giving custom on other holidays and a strengthening culture of commercialism. Traditionally, people give cards and gifts or flowers on Mother’s Day. Gifts, just as for any other occasion, should be specific to the receiver, indicating thought and appreciation. Other traditions may include serving breakfast in bed, giving the gift of massage or spa treatments, or calling on the telephone if unable to celebrate in person. Whether from the American root or the ancient root, Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world, often on different days and with different customs. Yet in one way or another, many cultures honor parents or elders in some special way, just as we also celebrate Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day.