Mother’s Day is one of the most popular gift-giving holidays of the year, running a close fourth to Easter, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. We can trace this holiday back to ancient times when the mother figure was greatly revered.

In ancient Greece, the festival of Cybele, the great mother of the Greek gods, was held around the Vernal Equinox which took place in the spring. This celebration was adopted by the Romans and celebrated between March 15th and March 18th. The Romans also celebrated Matronalia in honor of the goddess Juno which was also celebrated in the month of March. Roman mothers were given gifts on this day to show respect for them.

In Great Britain and Ireland, they celebrate Mothering Sunday. This day always falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent and began as a 16th century tradition that people went to visit their mother church annually, often reuniting mothers with their children for this one day. As society became more secular, the date was adopted as a time to celebrate and give thanks to mothers.

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