The inspiration for this post happened as I was researching a Mother’s Day blog post for work. I’ve never really thought much into Mother’s Day other than what to get my mum and if my sisters have gotten her anything better. But during my research I discovered that after getting the day nationally established in 1914, the founder of Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis, worked the remainder of her life to get it disestablished after she saw how popular it became- and not in the way she intended it to be. She said that the intention was for every mother to be honoured and celebrated, not the individual mother being gifted with sweets, flowers, cards and other treats.
So it got me thinking, how has this special day grown to be what it is today? I found that Mother’s Day is the second biggest special occasion of the year behind Christmas. With restaurants, florists, card shops and other gift giving companies sales going through the roof during this time. I mean in 2018 £1.4 billion was spent on sales alone, wow. Of course the idea behind Mother’s day is undeniably good, mums should be appreciated and thanked for all their love and support. But does this growing demand for increasingly priced gifts really equate to your level of love?
I mean surely, like everyone says it’s the thought that counts. Yet when push comes to shove, the pressure to buy a gift substantial enough to show your mum how much you love her tends to end in mounting zeros at the end of a big number.
This thought train had me contemplating what high priced gifts can be substituted for simple acts of appreciation. Stick with me on this.
Fancy restaurant
- Try making a home cooked meal of your mother’s favourite food rather than go out. You can dress up the house and put on her favourite music to have an intimate dinner where your mother gets waited on hand and foot rather than the other way around. Mothers are so use to taking care of others that it’s nice to give them some time off and let them put their feet up for the day. Sure a fancy restaurant is nice and all, but isn’t it more special when you put the effort into treating her to a delicious meal, it certainly shows how much thought you’ve put into the day.
Printed cards
- This one seems simple, make your own! Of course many deem this to be ‘cheap’ but really it isn’t about the money. It’s about creating something thoughtful and special that shows your mum how much you think about her. As the founder of Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis once said;
‘A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.’
- Then again, I’ll be the first to admit sometimes time gets away from me and it’s way too convenient to simply buy a card from the shop rather than make one from scratch. But in writing this post I’m thinking it’s something I should make the effort to change.
Sweet treats
- While tasty as they are, think how likely is it that your mum is going to eat them all herself. If she’s anything like mine then she’s either going to share them out or be appreciative and then give them to someone who is more likely to enjoy them. As good old Anna Jarvis stated;
‘And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment.’
Think we’re getting a clearer picture of Anna’s opinion of the ‘new’ Mother’s Day.
Flowers
- Now this one is slightly harder to avoid. I mean it’s not like you can go and pick wild flowers out of someone’s garden now is it, that’s just uncalled for. Plus, flowers were apart of Ann Jarvis’ notion of honouring motherhood, particularly with carnation flowers. Red signified those who were living and white were to remember those who had passed. So I’m thinking we can give flowers a pass on this one and let them be.
With all this in mind think about how Mother’s Day as we know it has changed from the original notion of the day. Are all the cards and gifts really worth it? Or should it be more about the little things and sentimental aspects that surround the day? Food for thought.
I’d love to hear what you all think, let me know in the comments!
Click here to read my Valentine’s Day self love post.
I never knew the “true” meaning behind Mother’s Day so that was interesting to learn.
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I thought so too 😊 x
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I think the idea of having a day to celebration moms and all they do for us is fab but it’s the same with Valentine’s Day, it’s overcommericalised as fuck. I honestly think the true meaning of it has been lost the retail world. Why do we need to shower moms with gifts to let them know we love them? I’m more for showing her I love her through actions I do all year, not just a random Sunday in March!x
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Completely agree! So many businesses profit from it when really it should be all about our mums and not what gifts we get them. Thanks for commenting 😊 x
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Great post Chloe! I definitely personally think companies nowadays try to overcommercialize every holiday, that including mother’s day. It’s all about buying, buying, buying! With that said, when I stopped strictly observing holidays I made it a goal to try to show I appreciate everything and everyone all the time and not just a certain day! I try to do it with gestures of getting flowers or chocolates or some type of sweet, like you mentioned in your post! Celebrating our mothers should not have to result in spending a lavish amount of money! Thanks for sharing lovely 🥰
Geraldine | https://geraldinetalks.com
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I’m so glad you agree! Showing our appreciation with little things rather than gifts is definitely a better alternative 😊 thanks for commenting! Xx
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With all things these days, I definitely feel like Mother’s Day is another over commercialised thing! Though I do love it because my mum enjoys being spoilt. Really great idea with the cheaper and more personal present substitutions though, I love that! When I was younger and didn’t have any money of my own, I’d always try and make my mum breakfast in bed – it started off as cereal and then we worked our way up to a full-english as my skills matured with age, haha. Great post! x
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Breakfast in bed is a good one! If only my mum wasn’t such an early riser I’d try doing that for her 😂 thanks so much for commenting! x x
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This is a great post! I’ve never really thought about how commercialised it is before but you’re right. I love the sentiment behind some of the cheaper alternatives x
Sophie
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Thanks! 😊 x
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I definitely think it’s over commercialized but most holidays are now. Even Christmas. I still celebrate it though because I like an excuse to treat my Mum!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
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So true, it’s just the way things are now. And same, can’t leave my mum out on all the spoiling 😂 thanks for commenting x
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I totes get your standpoint and yeah it’s fab to have days to celebrate special occasions and special people like the superheros called mom lol but for sure everything has become a selling point the way the world is going. There is always a “sale” to attract people for days like these and a way to exploit the kind gestures and ideology behind such. It’s sad but I guess it’s one of those things where it is what it is. I just honestly believe gifts for these days should be about the person you’re celebrating and honoring and not to deal with price point. Gret post hun! 😀
xx Lena | https://lenadeexo.com
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I agree completely! It’s become more about what you get rather than the loved ones themselves. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting 😊 x
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Very nice. I agree with you 💯. I know my mom doesn’t need stuff and would appreciate the sentiment of something homemade.
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Thanks! Something sentimental is always better 😊 x
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This post is so interesting! I never really thought about Mother’s Day from this perspective. I have to say, you’ve definitely got me thinking! My mum definitely appreciates handmade things over store bought things. I’m also quite a creative person so I always like to get crafty with these sort of things.
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Thanks! Glad you liked it 😊 x
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I love this post, while I’m always up for a celebration I definitely think that it’s over commercialised. My Mums birthday is actually tomorrow so for Mothers Day I’ve just got her a nice card and some flowers (that she can plant, not a bunch)
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
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Thank you! Aw flowers she can plant is a great idea, they’ll definitely last longer then a bunch 😊 x
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Great ideas! I know my cousins in the UK like to make their own cards and they’re beautiful.
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Thanks! That’s so nice, I love the idea of handmade cards 😊 x
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Never really thought about the commercial aspect of Mother’s Day, but yes, while mothers deserve every penny of every gift, often the homemade stuff or activities mean so much more. The gift if time and thought is priceless! 😊
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Completely agree 😊 thanks for commenting! X
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