It is time to celebrate a day exclusively for that special person in your life. A day that reminds us about motherhood and the sacrifice a mother makes and all the hardships she goes through to bring up a child.

On March 19, 2023, Mother’s Day will be officially celebrated all over the UK. This is a time to think back on all the good deeds your mother has done for you and thank her for making your life safe and secure.

When is Mother’s Day?

Though the international Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May, in the UK the day is celebrated on different dates. While it was observed on 27th March of this year, the day will fall on 19th March next year.

Why does England Have a Different Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day is generally considered to be a day exclusively for your birth mother. But in the UK, the day has nothing to do with your birth mother. Instead, it has a connection with your “mother” church.

Mother’s Day in the UK is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which leads up to Easter. Since Easter changes year after year depending on the lunar calendar, the UK has a different Mother’s Day than the rest of the world.

History of Mother’s Day in the UK

As mentioned above, in the UK, the Mother’s Day celebration is connected to the Mother Church.

A mother church is one that is believed to protect and nourish the believer, just like a real mother. It is the primary church of a person where he is baptized or the local or the nearest church.

In the 16^th century, people used to visit the mother’s church on this particular day to seek the blessings of God. Domestic helps were given the day off to visit their hometown and pray with their family in the mother church. Praying in their mother church gives them the opportunity to meet their mother after a long time. This has gradually led to celebrating a day exclusively for Mothers. This tradition is considered to be the beginning of Mother’s Day.

The tradition became more popular during the 18^th and 19^th centuries when more girls used to stay away from their family and work as maids and cooks in wealthy families.

The date of Mother’s Day is the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is the period leading up to Easter. During this period people practice chastity when they refrain from bad habits and give up certain types of food. Since the Easter days change depending on the lunar calendar, the Mother’s Day in the UK also changes every year.

Next year, Mother’s Day in the UK falls on the 19th of March.

When is Mother’s Day in Rest of the Countries?

Mother’s Day date varies from country to country. It is celebrated in different months in different parts of the world depending on their belief and culture.

In the UAE and most of the Middle Eastern countries, Mother’s Day is celebrated on March 21^st every year. Few countries like Afghanistan, Russia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan celebrate the day on March 8^th to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Countries in the UK including England, Scotland, and Wales celebrate the day on the fourth Sunday of Lent. A vast majority of the countries including the USA, India, Bangladesh, China, Germany, and Greece celebrate Mother’s Day on the 2^nd Sunday of May.

How is Mother’s Day Celebrated in the UK?

Just like the dates, the tradition of Mother’s Day celebration also varies from country to country. This has more to do with the culture and tradition of each country.

Here are few ways in which Mother’s Day is celebrated in the UK:

• Cutting Cake: Cakes are a part of all celebrations in the UK. Though no particular flavor or variety of cake is favored during this day, people have now started eating Simnel cake as it is part of the Easter tradition. Simnel cake is a light fruit cake that comes decorated with almond paste, and a circle of eggs. It is then slightly browned under a grill for an authentic flavor. If you find it difficult to get Simnel cakes in UAE, then you can try other variations of cakes like vanilla, salted caramel, red velvet, and chocolate hazelnut. These cakes are readily available from cake or flower shop Dubai from where you can pre-order the same.
• Presenting gifts: Just like cakes, gifts are also a part of all celebrations. Flowers are the best gift that you can present for Mother’s Day. You can send a bouquet of roses, lilies, tulips or any other flower which you think your mother would appreciate. In the UAE, you can order flowers online from flower delivery shops, and they will present the same at the right time and place to your mother. In addition to flowers, you can also gift her jewelry, perfume, or even fruit bouquet as special Mother’s Day gifts.
• Sending a cards: For expats in UAE, having their mother beside them on this special day is a dream. If you cannot make it up on Mother’s Day why not send special Mother’s Day cards to her? The main advantage of sending a personalized card is that you can pen down your fond memories and thoughts for this special day. And unlike a cake or flower which lasts only for a few days, a card will always remind her of your presence. And your mother is sure to cherish it throughout her life.
• Dining out: For all those lucky lots who have their mother by their side on this special day, there is nothing like taking her out for a brunch or dinner. You can try out Peyote and Fogo de Chao at DIFC, and Al Fayrooz lounge at Madinat Jumeirah for a delicious meal with your mother.

• Mother has a unique role in everyone’s life whatever their nationality and culture is. Celebrating a day exclusively for that special person shows how much you care for her and how valuable you consider your relationship to be.

  For all those wonderful Mothers WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.