Mother’s Day is celebrated every May on the second Sunday of the month, with traditions such as brunches, flowers, and showing appreciation for mothers. The holiday became official in the United States in 1914, thanks to peace activist Anna Maria Jarvis, who created it in honor of her deceased mother. However, in later years, Jarvis turned against the holiday due to its commercialization, as it became associated with gift giving, cards, jewelry, and flowers. Despite her efforts to have the day removed from calendars, Mother’s Day remains a widely celebrated and commercialized holiday in the United States.
The origins of Mother’s Day can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman festivals honoring mother goddesses, Rhea and Cybele, according to History.com. In the United States, modern Mother’s Day celebrations began in the early 20th century with Jarvis organizing the first official events in West Virginia in 1908. The holiday quickly gained popularity, with many states joining in celebrations by 1912. In 1914, President Wilson signed a bill designating Mother’s Day as an official holiday nationwide on the second Sunday of May, cementing its place in American culture.
Despite never having children of her own, Jarvis created Mother’s Day as a way to honor the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. However, as the holiday became increasingly commercialized, Jarvis grew disillusioned with it and spent the later years of her life campaigning against companies profiting from the occasion. Her efforts to have the holiday removed from calendars were unsuccessful, and Mother’s Day remains a popular consumer spending holiday in the United States, with an estimated average spending of $254 per person in 2024.
Around the world, Mother’s Day is celebrated in various countries, but it is particularly popular in the United States. The holiday is often marked by restaurants staying open on Sunday to cater to visitors taking their mothers out for brunch or lunch. Additionally, people celebrate by giving sentimental gifts, flowers, and spending time with their families through backyard cookouts or picnics in the park. Mother’s Day precedes Father’s Day in the U.S., which takes place in June, with both days serving as opportunities to honor and appreciate parents.
Despite the commercialization of Mother’s Day, the holiday continues to hold significance for many families in the United States. While gift giving has become a common practice, the day serves as a reminder to show gratitude and appreciation for the maternal figures in our lives. As one of the most popular consumer spending holidays, Mother’s Day remains a special occasion for many Americans to celebrate and honor mothers, grandmothers, and other maternal figures in their lives.
