Date: 04 Mar 2010
Mother’s Day is the 14th of March
Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday occurs on the fourth Sunday of Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday. In 2010 it is celebrated on the 14th of March, in 2011 it will be on the 3rd of April.
Although Mother’s Day has become very commercially driven in recent years the concept has not changed; It’s a day to think about and acknowledge our mothers perhaps by contacting them or spending time with them.
It may be something simple like a phone call or a card and there are lots of ways that you can make Mothering Sunday extra special for your mother. Many people buy and send Mothers Day cards but from our experience Mothers, and Grandmothers love home made cards. You could treat your mother to a cooked breakfast of Blueberry Pancakes making serve some Chocolate Heart Shortbreads, clean the house, put the washing machine on or perhaps just spending some quality time together.
The origins of Mother’s Day can be traced back to the 16th Century. There are many different traditions worldwide, but historically in the UK it was a Christian practice to visit your mother’s church on this day, meaning that mothers and children would be reunited. Even young apprentices and women in servitude were release to visit their families. In some churches special attention is paid to Mary, the mother of Jesus on the day. Many churches will mark Mothers Day in their own local fashion.
This special day is celebrated on different days in different parts of 
the world. In America, Australia and South Africa it is May 9th is the day while in Lebanon Mother's Day is celebrated on March 21, the first day of spring. In Thailand Mother’s Day is celebrated on the birthday of the Queen of Thailand Sirikit. In Vietnam Mother’s Day is called Lễ Vu-lan and celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Even the ancient Romans had a holiday, Matronalia (the Festival of Childbirth), that was dedicated to Juno (the Goddess who brings children into the light), though mothers were usually given gifts on this day as well.
A home-baked gift is a great way to show your appreciation to your mother. All of our recipes are simple enough to be made by inexperienced bakers, or supervised children. Use the best quality ingredients you can afford – that way even if the results do not look quite as you hoped they will still taste great. If you’re looking for some inspiration why not make some Biscotti (a traditional Italian biscuit) which can be made well in advance and stored in a tin or a Low fat Lemon Sponge Cake.. If you want to indulge your mum a bit more, a Chocolate Brownie or Cappuccino Cake could hit the spot.
