Learn more about the history of Mother’s Day, some great gift ideas and the amazing discounts, freebies and value adds on offer from Amazing Vouchers

Muttertag, Mothering Sunday, Fête des Mères, La Festa della Mamma or Día de las Madres – wherever you are in the world or whatever you call Mother’s Day, it is once again fast-approaching that time of year! For those of us in South Africa who can never remember this ever-changing date, bookmark Sunday May the 11th as your mom’s special day (and for those of you who plan ahead, don’t book anything else on 10 May 2009 either!).

No one would argue that Mothers the world over deserve a special day of recognition and it is our job to make this day extraordinary. But not all of us have a lot of time or money to spoil our mom’s in the extravagant way that we wish to. But have no fear! Whether you want to pamper the mother of your children or give back to the mom that spoils you – the perfect option for you is out there!

The History of Mother’s Day

As a starting point, impress your mother over breakfast with your vast knowledge of this special day. Mother’s Day has been celebrated in one form or another for centuries, with its earliest origins being found in Ancient Greece and Rome. The Greeks held an annual festival in honour of Cybele, the mother of all Greek Gods, while the Romans celebrated a similar holiday called Matronalia. In the Roman festival all mothers were presented with a gift, beginning the trend that we still follow today.

Mother’s Day around the World

Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom and Ireland falls in March and on the last Sunday of Lent. Originally this day marked the annual tradition of when all Christian people attended their mother church and mothers were reunited with their children. In our more modern and secular society, the day now officially exists to celebrate and pay homage to the work of mothers.

Loosely emulating the British day, the United States’ recognises mothers on the second Sunday of May each year. Julia Ward Howe initially promoted this holiday following the American Civil War as a call to unite women against war. This idea was inspired by Ann Jarvis, a campaigner during the war who brought women together to fight for better sanitary conditions for the soldiers fighting both sides. Following the war, Ann also did extensive work in healing the rift between confederate and union neighbours. After her death, her daughter Anna Jarvis fought for a national holiday in her mother’s honour, which was eventually granted in 1912. Universalised to remember all mothers who lost sons through war, the idea soon became massively commercialised and today is one of America’s most lucrative holidays.

Although falling on different days and with different histories, Mother’s Day is celebrated in most countries around the world. The majority, particularly in Asia, offer a highly commercialised and marketed form of the holiday, following the American tradition. But most do share the main idea of celebrating and showing appreciation for mothers, and in Africa in particular, this practice has been occurring for generations, long before the arrival of western and commercial influences.

Mother’s Day Gifts on a Budget

The old adage really is true – it is the thought that counts! Any mother would be touched to see time and effort spent on her, regardless of the cost. But this doesn’t have to mean pink homemade cards and heart-shaped cushions - there are a number of fun and unique ideas out there that suit any budget, time-frame and talents!

For your mother:

• Bake your mom her favourite cake and ice it with a loving or funny Mother’s Day message.
• Fill a decorative jar with notes. You mom can pull one out a day and read a special message from you, or one reminisce about one of your favourite mom memories. Alternatively, each note can offer to do a particular chore, helping your mom out around the house for days to come!
• Cook your mom her favourite breakfast/lunch/dinner and set the table beautifully with all the best china. Sitting down and spending some quality time with your mother over a good meal will mean more to her than any expensive gift.
• Draw a portrait of your mother, your family or her favourite pet (if you can!) and have it framed. If your talents do not extend this far, have a really old and memorable photograph framed.
• Make a scrap book or photograph album or your mom’s history as a mother, to remind her of all the good times (great to pull out when she is mad at you later!).
• Make your mom a “no whining certificate” – when she cashes it in – stop!

For your wife or the mother of your children:

• Take care of everything around the house for a day – meals, washing, kids, making the bed, washing the car - forcing her to put her feet up!
• Phone up a few of her friends and send them out for coffee while you babysit the kids.
• Get the kids to draw or paint a Mother’s Day picture and have it framed.
• Head off for a romantic picnic outdoors and pack a basket filled with all her favourite things.
• If you are more adventurous, get your partner out the house for a while and finish up all those DIY jobs that she has been wanting done. If you have the time, remodelling a room in the house would be the ultimate Mother’s Day surprise!

Online Mother’s Day Gifts

For those with severe time constraints, buying a Mother’s Day gift online is the perfect option – it will even be wrapped and delivered! The variety online is mind-blowing with so much more on offer than just the traditional bouquet of flowers.

If your mother has a great sense of humour, gag gifts like the “Anger Management Choking Husband” is a perfect choice. Strangle this doll instead of the real thing and watch your mom’s stress levels drop as she squeals in delight as its eyes bulge, legs kick and cheeks turn bright red!

If you’re looking for something a little bit more unusual and interactive, why not book your mom into a fun new course or activity. Anything from learning to scuba dive, to horse back riding, a 4X4 driving course and tandem sky diving is available to book online. Book for two and join your mom on the exciting adventure that she has always wanted to try.

If you have something slightly more relaxing in mind, various spa packages are also available online and can be tailored to suit your mother’s specific relaxation needs. Let her be pampered and spoiled with hot oil massages, reflexology and a facial.

Amazing present options and gift hampers are also easy to purchase online. Send your mom a basket of champagne and luxury chocolates, an aromatherapy kit or a designer decorative item.

Online Gift Vouchers

If you really can’t decide what to get the special mother in your life and would prefer to give her a gift that lasts throughout the year, then amazing online vouchers are the answer. Companies like Amazing Vouchers offer subscriptions that supply you with a large set of vouchers every month. Receive huge discounts at many trendy restaurants, pubs and coffee shops, learn something new during a fun course at reduced rates or pamper yourself with a beauty treatment.

The discounts and freebies offered from these voucher services are endless and the choice of what to use is left up to your mom! Arriving once a month, this is a gift that keeps on giving and makes sure that your mom feels special and pampered all year round.

More about Amazing Vouchers

Amazing Vouchers membership programme offers an array of monthly discounts and free products to its members, totally R3000. From a complimentary goldfish to free laundry services and recording sessions, the array of discounts and freebies is astounding. Let your mom feel special year-round while she tries something new and exciting like belly dancing, without the guilt of spending money needlessly!

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