Christian Peterson
Reporter@riverbendnews.org
Every year, on the second Sunday in May, families across the United States take the day to remember and honor women who have the hardest job on the planet: being a mother. The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1907 by Anna Jarvis and the congregation of Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in West Virginia. In 1908, however, U.S. Congress denied making Mother’s Day an official holiday. Yet, that did not slow Jarvis down and by 1911 all states observed the holiday. Some even recognized it as a local holiday. Then, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as a national holiday for honoring mothers.
Mother’s Day is not only celebrated in the United States, but around the world as well. While not necessarily on the same date, most countries around the world have a time to celebrate and honor mothers. Russia celebrates International Women’s Day, while Ukraine celebrates both International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day. Norway celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of February and Armenia celebrates Motherhood and Beauty Day on April 7. South Korea celebrates both mothers and fathers with
Parent’s Day on May 8. Over 50 countries outside of the U.S. celebrate on the second Sunday in May. However, as Mother’s Day rolls around, the inevitable happens: some are prepared, while others have the date sprung upon them. While gifts are important, one of the best things you can give your mother is to spend genuine time with them. However, if you are still looking for a gift, consider filling a gift basket with your mother’s favorite foods, drinks, sweets, gardening tools, movies and a handwritten card reminding her how much you appreciate her. If you're looking for a different type of gift, try one of these tips:
• Laughter is the best medicine and is shown to have health benefits both in the short and long- term. Take the time to find a couple of jokes, or a good comedy and enjoy spending time laughing with your mother.
• Music is a universal love of everyone. Work with your mother to create the perfect playlist. This will allow you to spend quality time together, as well as give you and your mother the perfect playlist to remember each other. Then, listen to the playlist while you celebrate.
• Take your mother out for the day. Dads get plenty of attention being taken to sporting events, but some mothers appreciate that too. Take your mother to a ball game, on a nature hike or out to the movies and dinner.
• Some mothers enjoy shopping for bargains and Mother’s Day is the perfect day for that. With deals all around for Mother’s Day, take your mom out for the day and invest in the shopaholic in both of you.
•The most important thing to all mothers is their family. One of the best ways to celebrate your mom is to sit down and watch some home movies together. Take a walk down memory lane with your mother and acknowledge all the sacrifices she has made for you.