A Mother’s Love is Forever: Find Out the History of Mother’s Day and Great Gift Ideas

The history of Mother's Day dates back to ancient times when the Greeks and Romans celebrated spring festivals in honor of mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. In the early Christian era, people began celebrating the Virgin Mother Mary. It slowly morphed and later in the 1600s during the fourth Sunday of Lent (the Mothering Sunday festival), people started honoring all mothers and the church, as well.

Modern Mother's Day, as we know it, was first celebrated in the United States in the early 20th century. The credit for the establishment of Mother's Day in the United States goes to Anna Jarvis who wanted to honor her mother who passed away. Anna Jarvis, who was born in West Virginia in 1864, was the daughter of a social activist who had organized mothers' clubs to address public health issues. After her mother's death in 1905, Anna Jarvis began a campaign to establish a day to honor all mothers.

Anna Jarvis organized the first official Mother's Day celebration in 1908 at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. The day was celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and it became an annual event. Anna Jarvis tirelessly promoted the idea of Mother's Day by writing letters to newspapers, politicians, and prominent people in society. She urged them to recognize Mother's Day as a national holiday to honor mothers.

Anna Jarvis's efforts paid off, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, a national holiday to honor mothers. However, Anna Jarvis was unhappy with the commercialization of the holiday, as she wanted it to be a day of sincere sentiment, not a day of gift-giving and card-buying.

Over time, Mother's Day has become a popular holiday celebrated around the world. It is a day to honor mothers and mother figures for their love, sacrifice, and hard work. The holiday is celebrated on different dates in different countries, but the sentiment behind it remains the same - to express gratitude and appreciation for everything that mothers do.

So when you are gift shopping for your incredible mother, remember Jarvis and her wishes to make sure you thank your mother sincerely. In addition to a gift, take some time to really honor and appreciate your mother for her love, sacrifice, and hard work. Your sincerity will surely touch your mother’s heart.
Along with your sincerity, here are some awesome gifts to give:

1. A personalized 6” x 5.5” jewelry keepsake box would be useful. Let's face it, your mother probably already has a lot of jewelry. Help her be organized with this practical and elegant white jewelry box. The flip-top lid is easily opened to expose a mirror and a soft felt-lined inside.

2. A spa day or massage to help her relax and unwind might be appreciated.
3. Consider a subscription to a book or wine club, depending on her interests.
4. If she loves wine, consider a personalized wine box. You could get your family name and established date engraved on it. 
5. A photo album or scrapbook would make a heartfelt gift. Consider this book that highlights your parent's anniversary, marking the day your family first began. Consider adding pictures of your family inside this customizable anniversary book and having everyone in the family write what they love about mom in it.

6. A plant or flowers will help brighten up her home.
7. A cooking or baking class would be a tasty treat for her, especially if she loves to cook. Maybe you can get two tickets and take the class together. Your mother might love the bonding time.
8. A customized gift basket with her favorite snacks, chocolates, and other treats might bring her joy.
9. Home decor like this 17”x12” decorative wall cross would make a great gift. This cross is customizable so you can have it say whatever you want! Lifesong has many crosses to choose from here.

10. Speaking of home decor, a decorative sign like the ones below would be great options for any mom to put on display in her home or office. One says "Tough as a mother" and the other says "Mama Bear." These are just two of the many designs available. 

10. A card or letter expressing your love and appreciation for everything she does would be a thoughtful gift.
11. Consider this engraved picture frame that states, “A mother holds her child's hand for a short time, but her heart forever.”

12. If you have the money, consider a weekend getaway or vacation to a place she has always wanted to visit.
13. Meal prep several freezer meals for her that she can bake when she is pressed for time.
14. A fitness tracker or gadget to help her stay on top of her health and wellness goals. You could ask her if there is anything she’s wanted to buy lately and then purchase it for her!
15. Offer to clean her house/car or do a task for her that has been causing her grief.