What is Mother’s Day all about? Learn about the origins and purpose of Mother’s Day, and get some tips on Mother’s Day gifts this year 

Mother’s Day is a day to express love and gratitude to the moms in our lives – whether they’re our own mothers, the mothers of our children, or other mothers that we want to feel loved on this day of maternal recognition. 

It can be hard to figure out what to get for the mom in your life. Whether you’re worried about distance or budget or sorting out child care, there are plenty of barriers that can sometimes get in the way of treating mom to a really special weekend when Mother’s Day comes around each year. 

In this blog, we’ve written out what we’ve learned about the history of Mother’s Day, the point of Mother’s Day, and 5 speciality Mother’s Day gift packages you can consider putting together to make mom feel special and appreciated.

In this blog, learn about:

1. The Mother’s Day origin story

2. What is Mother’s Day all about? 

3. 5 Mother’s Day gift ideas for Canadian moms 

4. Mother’s Day isn’t easy for every mother 

5. Even moms need mothers: share the love with moms who aren’t yours 

Let’s get started…

Mother’s Day origin story

Mother’s Day is celebrated by many cultures in countries around the world. In Canada and America, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, although Mother’s Day is celebrated on other days and in other months elsewhere in the world. 

The first Mother’s Day took place in 1907, organized in Philadelphia by Anna Jarvis, whose mother was responsible for organizing women’s groups to promote health and friendship before her death. When her mother passed away, Anna held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia – an opportunity to celebrate her mother, and all mothers. Within five years, just about every state in America was observing the day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day a national holiday, and Canada quickly followed suit. 

What is Mother’s Day all about?

Although it’s not a stat holiday – as in, we don’t get the day off work – Mother’s Day is meant to be a day of recognition and gratitude for the moms in our lives, many of whom put their whole hearts into caring for their spouses and children day by day and year by year. 

Because Mother’s Day takes place in May, it is seen largely as a spring event – which is why the majority of mother’s day gifts tend to be flowers. 

Like other holidays, Mother’s Day has become commercialised, so that the amount you spend seems to matter more than what you’re actually investing in. 

An interesting note is that it seems Jarvis’ original intention was a day to commemorate and honour mother’s and towards the end of her life she fought against the commercialization of it. 

In 2023, 50% of Canadian families planned to spend $50.00 or more on Mother’s Day – and many of those dollars were spent on flowers. 

In many busy households, Mother’s Day can pass like just another day. Moms are often expected to be superheroes, which includes the expectation that they give selflessly and ask for nothing in return – even on Mother’s Day.

Choosing a Mother’s Day gift for YOUR mom

Contrary to recent popular belief, brunch and flowers aren’t the only thoughtful things that moms want to receive on Mother’s Day. What matters most is to communicate or do something for her that speaks to her unique interests as a person. 

What mothers really want for Mother’s Day is a feeling that they are seen, appreciated, and beloved by the people they spend their lives loving and caring for. 

The first question you should ask yourself is: what brings joy to my mom (or your wife, if you’re shopping on behalf of your children)? 

• Does she need a break? Offer to watch the children, or leave your home with the children so she can have uninterrupted personal time to take a nice bath, read a book, or take a nap.
• Does she love tea or coffee? Choose a special blend, or buy her tickets to a high tea event at a local venue. 
• Does she love books? Take her to the bookstore – or send her on her own or with a friend while you mind the children for her, so that she can browse to her heart’s content without needing to pause to meet the needs and interest of her little ones. 

Also Read: What to write in a baby shower card – take tips from this blog to draft your Mother’s Day card! 

5 Mother’s Day gift ideas for Canadian moms

Whether you decide to give a gift, or take the mom in your life out for an experience as her gift, the important thing is to put some thought, time and effort into preparing something that is special to her, rather than just looking at what everyone else is doing, or falling back on doing the same thing each year because it is the easiest thing to do. 

If you’re looking for Mother’s Day ideas on a budget, then scroll on down to see these 5 suggestions for a budget-friendly Canadian Mother’s Day. 

1. Homemade comfort retreat

This Mother’s Day, give the gift of comfort and relaxation without breaking the bank. Instead of splurging on a fancy cabin retreat, create a cozy atmosphere right at home. Gather soft blankets, perhaps ones you already have or can find and wash from a thrift store. Include a selection of affordable hot chocolate mix or herbal teas, and arrange them in a cute basket or box. 

For added charm, add some DIY rustic decor or a handmade serving tray. Include a handwritten note suggesting a day of cuddling up with a good book or favourite movie. This thoughtful gesture brings the warmth of a Canadian cabin retreat right to her doorstep.

2. Homemade Canadian treat tasting

Craft a delightful tasting experience without breaking the bank. Explore options like maple syrup samples from different regions or cheeses from nearby dairies. Pair these treats with homemade popcorn or simple finger foods. 

To add an extra touch, create a tasting menu and set up a cozy corner at home for sampling. Spend quality time together exploring the flavours of Canada without leaving the comfort of home.

3. Nature exploration kit

For moms who love the outdoors, create a budget-friendly Mother’s Day adventure package. Instead of expensive gear, focus on essentials like a handmade trail mix with her favourite snacks and a reusable water bottle. 

Include a personalized map of nearby parks or hiking trails, encouraging her to explore nature close to home. You can even make a DIY guidebook filled with local flora and fauna. Plan a day trip to her favourite trail or nature spot, offering the gift of quality time and outdoor exploration.

4. DIY spa day 

Pamper the moms you love with a relaxing spa experience without the hefty price tag. Curate a DIY spa day at home using affordable skincare products made with natural ingredients like honey or lavender. 

Add in some scented candles (if you are feeling ambitious, you can even make candles yourself) for ambiance and a selection of herbal teas for relaxation. Create a cozy spa atmosphere with soft music and dim lighting. Encourage her to relax without leaving the comfort of home!

5. Regional culinary delights

This Mother’s Day, treat your mom to a culinary journey without it being an excessive expense. Explore affordable regional specialties like homemade blueberry jam on toast or locally sourced potato chips. 

Sample maple syrup from a nearby farm or enjoy cheese curds from a local dairy. Get creative with DIY versions of Canadian favourites like smoked salmon or nanaimo bars. Package these treats with homemade crackers or bread and enjoy a delicious coast-to-coast culinary experience without the hefty price tag.

Mother’s Day isn’t easy for every mother

Sadly, not every mother gets acknowledgement on Mother’s Day.

Spending Mother’s Day alone

According to polls taken by Statista in 2020, there were approximately 352,630 single mothers in Canada between the ages of 35 to 44 years old.

Although some studies show that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in intact families (that is, families that live together) there are still thousands of moms who are solo on Mother’s Day.

But being isolated on Mother’s Day isn’t the only struggle families face in advance of Mother’s Day. Household income is another barrier that prevents many families from feeling that they’re able to appreciate mom by purchasing expensive gifts the way other families do.

Financial barriers to celebrating Mother’s Day

Between 2020 to 2021, 2.32 million people in Canada were living in low income households. For families struggling to afford basic needs like groceries, gas, rent and clothing, the need to invest in Mother’s Day gifts or Mother’s Day experiences can be overwhelming, stressful, or even impossible.

And financial worries aren’t the only stressors in moms’ lives leading up to Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day and maternal mental health  

As of 2022, Statistics Canada reported that 11.9% of women experience generalized anxiety disorder, and 18.4% of women had experienced a major depressive episode.

In 2011, 4.1 million women in Canada were mothers – so we can assume that of the women experiencing anxiety and depression on a regular basis, at least some of these women are mothers.

There are many reasons that women may not feel that Mother’s Day is a positive or joyful occasion. For instance,

• Mother’s Day can be an extra challenge for women struggling with mental illness, especially if there is some degree of trauma that resurfaces during Mother’s Day.
• Not every woman has a positive or healthy relationship with their mother and may feel the absence of a healthy maternal relationship keenly on this day each year.
• Many women have suffered a miscarriage or the death of a child due to illness or accident, and Mother’s Day is a reminder of the child they lost.
• Some women are unable to have biological children for medical reasons, and Mother’s Day feels like a pang of sadness and a reminder of things they weren’t able to have.

For women experiencing traumatic memories that are triggered by Mother’s Day, this day can be less a day of celebration and more a day of heightened distress, anxiety and depressive feelings.

Which is why, on Mother’s Day, it is critical for women to have their village around them. 

Related: The importance of mom friends postpartum – find out why it’s so important to connect moms with other mothers, on Mother’s Day and beyond. 

Even moms need a mother: share the love with moms who aren’t yours

 What every mom needs for Mother’s Day is support, love, recognition of her efforts, and help with the things that feel difficult. Maternal health is important for healthy child development, and we want to provide the support moms need to feel healthy and confident in their parenting. 

At Care For Women, we believe that motherhood was never meant to be done alone. On Mother’s Day every year, we want to raise moms up and connect them with the support they need.  

Care For Women exists to come alongside women in the complex and challenging first stage of motherhood – the newborn stage – by providing compassionate care and support through the postpartum journey… A time when mothers are tender, both physically and mentally, and benefit greatly from the support of a motherhood mentor. 

Our mentees are new moms who are:  

• Eager to find seasoned moms who are here to help and support you 
• Connect with other mothers in the same stage as you
• Hoping to access in-house support for approximately 4 weeks postpartum 

If you are seeking support, you can sign up for care to be connected with a mentor before your due date. 

 We are currently accepting applications for pregnant mothers in need of assistance in Abbotsford, Mission, Langley, and Chilliwack, BC. 

Whether you have personally struggled with motherhood or not, consider becoming a mentor, a friend, and a helper to a mother who doesn’t have the benefit of the support she needs to thrive in her parenting journey. 

If you don’t live in the geographic location of our services, but this mission is important to you, you can still support new mothers. Mothering doesn’t just happen on Mother’s Day – and moms need support year-round. 

Donate today, and help us do motherhood, together.