A Tribute To Mother's Day
Before there were flowers and brunch reservations and bracelets on the fourth Sunday in Lent, there were women like Ann Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe who wanted to find a way to join women together in a unified effort following the Civil War. Once a year women in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston gathered together to listen to sermons, prayers, and hymns to promote peace. Anna Jarvis, Ann’s daughter now largely known as the mother of Mother’s Day, followed in her mother’s footsteps. She championed the idea of a day where children would spend a special day with their mother, or the mother figure in their lives, and let her know how incredible she is. These were the nascent days of our modern Mother’s Day. And while the holiday might look a little different now than it did in the late 1800s, we still have a beautiful opportunity to honor and appreciate the mother figures in our own lives. Here are a few ideas to make your mother feel special while paying homage to the original idea behind the holiday.
BRUNCH AT HOME
Try cooking a cozy brunch at home. Make pajamas mandatory to keep it low- key and casual. Prepare-ahead recipes like baked French toast, sausage and egg bakes, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast stratas are great for spending less time in the kitchen and more time loving on your mama.
GIVE AN EXPERIENCE INSTEAD OF A GIFT
Consider foregoing traditional gifts in favor of unforgettable experiences as a family. This could mean attending a special show or event, spending a weekend away in a nearby town, or even something adventurous like indoor skydiving. These experiences help create memories that can last a lifetime.
PLANT HER A MOTHER’S DAY GARDEN
Instead of flowers that don’t last that long, take a trip to the local nursery to pick out seeds or plants of some of her favorite flowers. Wrap them up in a box, and when she opens it, tell her that you and she will spend the afternoon together planting her new Mother’s Day bouquet garden. Every time she looks out her window she’ll be reminded of your thoughtful gift and a wonderful Mother’s Day outdoors.
