Mother’s Day…one particular day when children in many parts of the world pay tribute to their mothers. If you notice, the spelling is singular, because the founder of Mother’s Day, Anna Jarvis, wanted the day to be an individual family’s celebration.
The objective of the Mother’s Day celebration is to honor a family’s mother, along with motherhood, the mothers’ influence in society, and maternal bonds.
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 10, this year. In many parts of the world, people will be honoring their mothers in different ways. The most common activities include presenting their mothers with a bouquet, treating them to lunch or dinner, or a dream trip. Some people give their mothers unique gifts, including jewelry, cash, and other valuable items.
A brief history of Mother’s Day
The modern-day celebration of Mother’s Day started in the United States. The first celebration was held in 1908. On that year, Ms. Jarvis held a memorial for her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, who died in 1905. The late Mrs. Jarvis was a peace activist. She was known for caring for soldiers who were wounded during the American Civil War. What was remarkable was that she did not choose any side. For her, each wounded soldier should receive treatment.
Anna Jarvis initially created Mother’s Day Work Clubs. The clubs helped to address the issues regarding public health. Mother’s Day, when it was established, was aimed at honoring all mothers because Anna Jarvis believed that the mother does more than she can for her children.
But the event did not receive recognition as an official holiday until 1914. Anna Jarvis’ efforts led to the observance of the holiday in every U.S. state starting in 1911. But the designation of the second Sunday in May as the national holiday to celebrate Mother’s Day was in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation.
However, Anna Jarvis resented the commercialism that grew around the holiday. She even organized boycotts, protests, and lawsuits to stop the commercialism, arguing that the holiday should be spent to honor and appreciate their mothers through heartfelt letters. She did not like the idea of buying pre-made cards and gifts.
Celebrating Mother’s Day during the time of COVID-19
Mother’s Day honors mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, great grandmothers, and mother figures as well. Usually, families gather together to greet their mothers on Mother’s Day. Often, the holiday becomes a mini-reunion.
But this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic, families are apart. With the enforced home quarantine, people should not leave their homes except when they are scheduled to shop or buy medicines. With the separation, people have to think of creative ways to celebrate Mother’s Day while maintaining home quarantine or physical distancing.
Video chat or phone call
Various platforms and apps can help make your Mother’s Day special. You can give your mother a call or a video call, together with your family.
Day off
If you are living with your mother and she helps with chores, give her a day off. Assign other family members to take over family chores. Why not turn the day into something special and cook the food your mother loves? Some restaurants, bakeries, and other stores are allowed to open offer delivery services. So you can still have individual food items, cake and flowers to give to your mom.
Have a virtual brunch
If your mom lives with you, serve her breakfast in bed. If she’s not so fond of it, maybe you can have brunch. But if she lives in her own house but still near your residence, why not cook something and bring it over to her? Arrange for a virtual meet and enjoy what you cooked online.
Prepare a virtual talent show
Involve your children and prepare a talent show so their grandmother can have time with you and your children, even if virtually.
If she lives nearby and you are allowed to go out, visit her. Even if you cannot enter her house, seeing you and possibly your other family members, will show her that you love and care for her. You can bring your gifts and leave them at her door.
Have a movie date
If you and your mother live together, schedule a movie date on Mother’s Day. Find out the movie that she wants to watch and prepare theater treats to complete the scene. If you’re physically apart, you can do the movie date online. Installing Chromecast on your mother’s and your computer will allow you to watch a movie at the same time.
There are several ways to celebrate Mother’s Day with your mom, even during the lockdown. Some creative thinking will help you spend the day with the most special woman in your life.
How other cultures say “Happy Mother’s Day”
Many countries around the world are celebrating Mother’s Day, so why not learn how people say the greeting in other languages.
- French – Bonne Fête des mères
- Japanese – Haha-no Hi omedetō
- Italian – Buona Festa della mamma
- German – Liebe zum Muttertag or Alles Gute
- Portuguese – Feliz Dia da Mãe
- Chinese Mandarin – Mǔqīnjié kuàilè
- Spanish – ¡Feliz día de las madres!
- Filipino – Maligayang araw ng mga ina
- Russian – Pozdravlyayu Vas s dnyom Materi!
- Catalan – Feliç dia de la mare!
- Turkish – Anneler Gününüz kutlu olsun!
- Lithuanian – Laimingos motinos dienos!
- Persian – Rúze mâdar gerâmi bâd
- Dutch – Gelukkige Moederdag
- Estonian – Head emadepäeva!
- Greek – Charoumeni mera tis miteras
- Arabic – Eed omm sa-eed
- Korean – Haengbokhan eomeoni nal doeseyo
- Urdu – Maanon Ka din mubarak ho
- Malay and Indonesian – Selamat hari ibu
How to say, “Happy Mother’s Day” using sign language
For those who use sign language, you can watch this short video.
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