Mothers who lost sons in war would gather together for strength and support. Masses would piously thank mothers for their sacrifices. The history of Mothers Day is a far cry from the sort of commercialism we see today, with Mother Day flowers, cards and gifts commemorating this special day.
Ironically, Anna Jarvis grew to detest the very holiday she helped to create. Hardly nine years after Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mothers Day a national celebration, Mothers Day card sales and profits of Mother Day flowers were skyrocketing.
The National Restaurant Association reports that Mother's Day is the most popular dine-out occasion of the year, even surpassing Valentine's Day. According to IBIS World research, Americans spent $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on pampering gifts and $68 million on Mothers Day cards in 2008. The jewelry industry reported that 7.8% of their annual sales come from Mother's Day too.
A number of countries celebrate Mothers Day, although not necessarily on the same day or in the same way. Mothers Day cards and flowers are also popular in the UK, but in Spain it's more of a low-key religious celebration.
In America, the holiday has become a day of gift-giving and supreme pampering. In South Africa, child and mother switch roles. As the child cooks and cleans, the mother sits back and watches her favorite TV shows or has a relaxing bath. In almost every country, the importance of women as procreator and nurturer is celebrated each year.
To read more Celebrating Mothers Day Around The World
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