What is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is a special day in honor of all mothers. It offers the opportunity to express gratitude, love and appreciation for mothers‘ daily care and commitment. Every year on the second Sunday in May the mother is at the center and is celebrated by her children, family and relatives.
In Germany, as in many other countries, Mother’s Day is an established occasion, although not a public holiday. Flowers, gifts, poems, breakfast in bed or shared outings are among the most popular gestures to say “thank you”.
Origin of Mother’s Day – Where does the holiday come from?
The origin of Mother’s Day lies in antiquity. The ancient Greeks and Romans already honored mothers with spring festivals dedicated to the goddesses Rhea and Cybele. The modern form of Mother’s Day, however, has its roots in the American women’s movement.
In 1908 Anna Jarvis in the USA initiated an official Mother's Day for the first time, to commemorate her deceased mother and at the same time to acknowledge the role of mothers in society. The idea spread quickly. In Germany Mother’s Day was celebrated for the first time in 1923, introduced by the Association of German Flower Shop Owners – also as an economic stimulus.
When is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is celebrated in Germany and many other countries on the second Sunday in May. The exact date changes every year but always falls between May 8 and 14. In other countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway or Thailand, Mother’s Day occurs on different days.
Why do we celebrate Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is more than a commercial occasion. It provides an emotional framework to thank one’s own mother – – for love and support. Mothers assume a central role within the family. Mother’s Day deliberately focuses attention on their importance – often taken for granted in everyday life.
In addition to biological mothers, the day is also used to show appreciation to stepmothers, grandmothers, foster or adoptive mothers.
Popular gifts
The classic remains the bouquet – preferably with flowers such as tulips, roses, peonies or gerberas. But there are many other creative and personal ways to bring joy:
Personal gift ideas:
- Handwritten cards or letters
- Photo books or photo calendars with family memories
- Homemade cosmetics or jam
- Vouchers for shared time (e.g., breakfast, a walk, movie night)
Sustainable gifts:
- Fairtrade flowers or organic chocolates
- Environmentally friendly care products or scented candles. We recommend the naturhaus Bio Jojoba Hautöl or the organic almond skin oil. Find more gift ideas here.
- Reusable products such as water bottles or shopping bags
- Vouchers for nature experiences, workshops or organic cooking classes
For last-minute planners:
- Flower delivery with a greeting card
- Digital vouchers or e-cards
- Home-baked cakes or pastries
What matters is not the material value, but the gesture and the attention.
Celebrating Mother’s Day – ideas for a special day
Besides gifts, the shared experience plays an important role. Those who want to actively shape Mother’s Day will find suitable inspiration here:
Giving time together:
- A relaxed breakfast or brunch at home
- An outing into nature or a picnic in the park
- Visit to a favorite café or RESTaurant
- Cooking or baking together
- A walk, a museum visit, or a short wellness day
For children:
Even young children can be creative. Hand-painted pictures, crafted hearts, simple poems or songs are affectionate signs of fondness. Parents or caregivers often assist with crafting and planning surprises.
Mother’s Day in the digital age
Many people live far from their parents today. Thanks to modern technologies, Mother’s Day can still be celebrated together – even across distances:
- Video call with a virtual coffee get-together
- Create a shared online photo album
- Digital greeting cards or voice messages
- Livestreamed gift handover
Social media also plays a major role on Mother’s Day. Many people post personal photos and say thank you to their mothers – a modern way to express love and connection.
Mother’s Day and commercialization
Mother’s Day has become increasingly commercialized in recent decades. Especially in retail, it is one of the highest-revenue occasions after Christmas and Valentine’s Day. This development is viewed critically by many.
But the idea behind the day remains valuable. Those who focus on personal gestures, sustainable gifts and genuine appreciation can shape the day intentionally and meaningfully – away from consumer pressure.
Sustainable Mother’s Day – celebrate consciously
A sustainable Mother’s Day means conserving resources while giving thoughtfully. This can be achieved, for example, by:
- Local, seasonal flowers instead of imported ones. Or pick meadow flowers.
- Reusable gift wrapping
- Upcycled gifts
- Time instead of things: Give experiences instead of material items
An outing, a shared meal or a walk can also be nice.
Mother’s Day in other countries
This day is celebrated worldwide, but at different times and with different customs:
- USA: Second Sunday in May, origin of the modern Mother’s Day
- United Kingdom: „Mothering Sunday“ in March
- Thailand: 12 August, the Queen’s birthday
- Ethiopia: At the end of the rainy season in autumn
- France & Switzerland: Last Sunday in May
Despite cultural differences, the message is universal: mothers deserve recognition and gratitude. And preferably this every day (not just on Mother’s Day).
Conclusion: Mother’s Day – more than a pleasant custom
Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to say thank you — for love, care and the daily commitment. Whether with flowers, words or shared experiences: what matters is the attention we give our mothers.
A deliberately planned Mother’s Day brings joy, strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories. Those who opt for sustainable, personal or creative approaches celebrate the day not only with style, but also with heart and responsibility.