Mother's day – gifts are common all over the world, but different local cultures

7 May 2008

It’s an interesting fact that something like mother’s day exists in almost all parts of the world (even in Arabic cultures), but has very different origins. Kids and the husband giving gifts like flowers to the “mother” is very common in lots of different places as well.

A whole lot of countries will celebrate mother’s day next Sunday (as always on the second Sunday in May), the 11th of May. That includes the United States, most of the countries in Central Europe, most of the countries in South America and many others from all over the globe, like China, India, Australia or Japan (find the full list of countries here). However, the UK and Ireland have had their mothers day already this year: it’s traditionally three weeks before easter.

The mother’s day tradition in the UK roots in the Christian tradition of visiting one’s “mother’s church” annualy. But people were worshipping mother’s even earlier, like with the Cybele festival in ancient Greece. The jews celebrate their mother’s day in the month of Shewat, the Arabs generally on vernal equinox, the day when the sun is exactly above the equator.

On Kindo you look up what your mum has written in the “personal” section of her profile! Then you can go to our gifts page and find find her the perfect present for mother’s day!

photo credit: houghtonabout