Ever come across the phrase ‘Mothering Sunday’ and wondered ‘Is that the same as Mother’s Day?’ If so, you aren’t the first one!
Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday, as it is called in Ireland and the UK, is a day meant to celebrate the amazing mom in one’s life. Apart from kind acts, children generally showcase their love by giving their moms a Mother’s Day gift and/or flowers.
Interestingly, while these days represent the same meaning, their origins couldn’t be more different.
Want to know more? Read on…
The History of Mothering Sunday
Celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent, i.e., exactly three weeks before Easter, the history of Mothering Sunday can be traced back to the 16th century where it had a religious purpose. Originally, people would use that day to give thanks and honour Mother Mary, also known as the Virgin Mary. They needed to visit their ‘mother’ church, i.e. the cathedral located in the family’s area or the main church, to make it a true family-honoured event.
Which church would the British and Irish visit the rest of the year, you ask?
Well, they would regularly and devoutly, we might add, visit the nearest chapel, that is, the ‘daughter’ church.
The expansion of Christianity across Europe during the 16th century heightened the festivities and solidified the position of Mothering Sunday on the calendar.
This delightful Christian tradition meant that families were reunited and children who had been sent away from home to work as domestic servants or apprentices got the day off to join in the celebration and visit their mothers.
On Mothering Sunday, in addition to baptisms, people would journey to their ‘mother’ church, bringing with them offerings of gratitude.
The significance of this religious day evolved over time, starting with gratitude towards Mother Mary, then broadening to honour the ‘mother’ church and eventually expanding to celebrate and appreciate all mothers, giving rise to what we now know as Mothering Sunday.
Unfortunately, its prominence began to wane by 1935, with fewer celebrations across Europe. This changed during World War II. Amidst the conflict, American and Canadian soldiers placed a renewed emphasis on celebrating Mother’s Day, driven by a deep-felt need to express gratitude towards their mothers from the battlefronts. Eventually, their British and European counterparts were inspired to revive their own tradition of honouring mothers. This rekindled appreciation ensured that Mothering Sunday reclaimed its esteemed status in the UK calendar, where it has remained a significant observance ever since.
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We’ve gone through our entire collection and have handpicked several sparklers, including earrings, rings, bracelets and necklace pendants for mothers, guaranteed to make them swoon:
Food Traditions on Mothering Sunday
Also called ‘Refreshment Sunday,’ Mothering Sunday offered a brief reprieve from the rigors of fasting during Lent. Families would gather for a hearty meal, easing Lenten restrictions for the day. It was a time to indulge in special, rich foods (either roast lamb or veal) and honour mothers as the queens of the feast.
This day was also called ‘Simnel Sunday,’ marked by the sharing of freshly baked Simnel cakes. They consisted of two layers of rich fruit cake, boiled in water and then baked, with almond paste spread between and on top of the layers as a finishing touch. Traditionally adorned with 11 marzipan balls representing the disciples (minus Judas), along with sugar violets (which were a popular choice for decoration), Simnel cakes were a highly anticipated delight during Lent.
Apart from this, bread was also freshly baked on Mothering Sunday. Children would rise early to bake it so that their moms could wake up to the aroma of the same. Today, the typical Mothering Sunday present involves treating mothers to a special dinner out or enjoying a home-cooked Sunday roast, with mothers possibly even taking charge of the cooking themselves.
The History of Mother’s Day
In the US, we mark Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. This special day, which was formed much later than Mothering Sunday, sprang to life in 1908, thanks to Anna Jarvis from Grafton, West Virginia who wanted to pay tribute to her late mother. With lots of dedication and a knack for getting the word out, Anna pushed hard for a holiday that would celebrate all mothers. Her persistence paid off when President Woodrow Wilson, catching onto the wonderful idea, officially declared it a US holiday in 1914.
As Mother’s Day blossomed into a widely celebrated occasion, it also became super commercialized, something Anna Jarvis wasn’t too thrilled about. She started calling it a ‘Hallmark Holiday’ and spent her later years opposing it, wishing it would stay true to its roots of simply celebrating mothers. She passed away in 1948, still disappointed by the flashy direction the holiday had taken.
Despite Jarvis’s concerns, it has continued to be a major hit in the US, especially among florists and greeting card companies who experience the biggest sales of the year on that day.
Did You Know?
The tradition of honouring mothers stretches back to ancient times, with the Greeks dedicating festivals each spring to Rhea, AKA the Mother of the Gods and Goddesses. Similarly, the Romans held celebrations in March for Cybele, a Mother Goddess, with records of such festivities dating back to 250 BC.
The Tradition of Gift Giving on Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day generally involves giving gifts and cards to one’s mom to show her how much she’s cherished and appreciated. Traditionally, Mother’s Day gifts would include a beautiful bouquet.
Today, the tradition of spoiling one’s mom persists, with the timeless gesture of presenting her with a bouquet remaining a beloved tradition. Alongside these floral delights, more contemporary gifts such as fine jewellery pieces, like vintage-inspired jewellery, for instance, have become popular.
P.S. Don’t know which sparklers are currently in style? Cheque out these jewellery trends.
Shop Mother’s Day Jewellery Gifts
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From Mother’s Day necklace pendant to rings, we’ve curated the perfect list of sparklers destined to earn you that coveted ‘Child of the Year’ award.
Want more ring options? Cheque out our entire collection of Mother’s Day rings. We bet she’ll love whatever you pick.
We also have several Mother’s Day earrings on our website. So, if your mom’s someone who loves to sport shine on her earlobes, you can’t go wrong with these.
Lastly, our collection includes multiple Mother’s Day bracelets that’re guaranteed to make your mom’s heart skip a beat. As such, if you’re looking for the perfect arm candy to add to her yearly dinner festivities, then our bracelets are your best bet.
Searching for a gift that says, ‘I love everything about you?’ Our name necklaces will do just that. Gift-wrap now and thank us later!
That said, if minimalism is more your mom’s vibe, an initial necklace pendant is a fabulous alternative that’ll make her feel loved.
Apart from the typical jewellery, there’re several things that you can do to make your mother smile. Cheque out our list of Mother’s Day activities for more information.
Also Cheque Out: Celebrate Mother’s Day With Colour: 7 Gifts That Go Beyond Flowers
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the difference between Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day?
While both, Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day represent the same thing, they have different origins.
Q2. When did Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day begin?
While the history of Mothering Sunday can be traced back to the 16th century, Mother’s Day sprang to life in 1908.
Q3. What are some traditional ways to celebrate Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day?
In line with tradition, people typically celebrate Mothering Sunday by taking their mom out for dinner or enjoying a home-cooked Sunday roast. Mother’s Day, on the other hand, is celebrated by giving one’s mom a bouquet and/or a gift.
Q4. How do I choose a meaningful jewellery gift for Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday?
The most meaningful jewellery gifts are those that showcase how well you know your mom so consider her style when picking the sparkler. For example, if she’s someone who loves all things luxe, a vintage-inspired piece will make the perfect gift.
Q5. Are there any specific jewellery trends for Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday?
No, there aren’t! That said, picking a jewellery piece that matches her style is sure to make her smile.
