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What makes Father’s Day special are the sentiments behind the history of Fathers Day. Some scholars believe that the earliest known Father Day poem appeared carved into a piece of clay in Babylon more than 4,000 years ago.

A young boy named Elmesu kindly wished his father good health and a long life on his primitive Father’s Day card. In more recent memory, there have been many tales of young women who felt so strongly about giving their fathers well-deserved recognition that they petitioned to have a date for Father’s Day on the calendar.

Others contend that the history of Fathers Day took root in Fairmont, West Virginia in the summer of 1908. Grace Golden Clayton urged her parish to sponsor Father’s Day activities (such as holding a special mass and pinning white or red roses onto one’s jacket) to honor the 250 deceased fathers who perished in the 1907 Monongah coal mining disaster.

At the time, the occasion was privately celebrated, without much national fanfare. Mrs. Clayton didn’t feel it was lady-like to campaign aggressively and “toot her own horn,” explains Marion County Historical Society president Thomas Koon.

Additionally, Chicago Lion’s Club president Harry C. Meek is credited with espousing the idea that fathers deserve a day of celebration, which he shared in a number of speeches from the east coast to the west coast.

Even though the history of Fathers Day began gaining widespread popularity in the early 1900s and saw support from presidents like Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge, more aggressive congressional campaigning didn’t rev up again until the fifties.

In 1957, Senator Margaret Chase Smith told Congress, “Either we honor both our parents, mother and father, or let us desist from honoring either one. But to single out just one of our two parents and omit the other is the most grievous insult imaginable.”

The official Father’s Day date was signed into law in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. In other countries, Father’s Day has its own significance. Some Catholic nations celebrate their Father’s Day activities on St. Joseph’s Day (March 19th) or observe the holiday based on their own traditions.

Regardless of the specific origins or dates, honoring our fathers appears to be a universally important sentiment.

To read more Tracking The History Of Fathers Day Celebrations

Calendars and internet searches will answer the question of when is Mother’s Day for each year. While many advertisements for a Happy Mother’s Day will begin in late April or early May, most of us don’t remember the exact date because it changes from year to year.

Unlike Christmas or Halloween, the date for Mother’s Day is always the second Sunday in May in the United States and a few other countries, but remembering the exact date requires a little effort on your part.

People often ask when is Mother’s Day because they do forget, despite all the advertisements that appear in late April and early May. Flower shops, chocolate stores and restaurants tend to increase the amount of advertising they do because this is usually their biggest day of the year.

Flowers for mothers are common gifts at this time, and taking your mom out for dinner or breakfast is something that occurs in almost every family. And yet many people still can’t remember when it is.

As the question of when is Mother’s Day is constantly asked by people each year, it is wise to have a reminder set up either on your desk calendar or in a computer program. Then you won’t be rushing out the morning of to find Mother’s Day gifts, flowers or chocolates.

You will have time to make a reservation at a restaurant or even prepare a special gift that requires more than a few dollars to purchase. Being aware of the advertising prior to the holiday can be helpful, but if in doubt, finding the answer is as easy as using a search engine.

To read more Knowing The Answer To When Is Mother’s Day?

When Anna Jarvis began Mothers Day US, it was to honor her mother who had died a few years before. Anna began to campaign to have a holiday set aside to honor all mothers. It was supposed to be a day for children to honor and show their appreciation to their mothers for all that they had done for them.

Most children would give Mother’s Day gifts that reflected how they felt. However, the holiday has now become what is called a “Hallmark Holiday.” A lot of the true meaning of what a mother means has been lost in the need to purchase a card, flowers or any kind of gift to give to mom without much thought being put into it.

Probably the number one gift for Mothers Day US is flowers. Florists and other businesses involved in this industry, like shipping and delivery companies, tend to do huge business on and leading up to this day.

Flowers for mothers are often purchased and given either as the sole gift, or as part of a series of gifts. Roses are popular, but all manner of flowers are sold, usually in bouquets of a dozen stems.

While any gift will be appreciated on Mothers Day US, the commercialism of the holiday has definitely taken over. Racks of Mother’s Day cards, flowers set out nicely, chocolates and other special gifts just for Mom will be bought and given out on Mother’s Day.

A dinner or breakfast out is nice, but the personal meaning of what your mom means to you can’t be bought. The commercialism of this holiday has taken over and the loss of its true meaning is only seen with a more personal gift or time set aside to honor thy mother.

To read more Ideal Gifts To Please Mom On Mothers Day US

Mother’s Day gifts are typically given to a mother on the actual day. Children learn about the holiday when they are young, and generally are excited to make something special for their mothers.

The father may help with the making of crafts or teachers in preschool or elementary school will provide the materials and possible Mother’s Day ideas, so the children can make something special for their mothers. During her children’s childhood, a mother will receive many treasured gifts that were created just for her.

Teenagers tend to present their mothers with different types of Mother’s Day gifts. They may be receiving an allowance or have a part-time job that provides them with their own spending money.

Thus, they may purchase Mother’s Day cards or flowers, or a small gift from a store. One thoughtful way for teens to make a special gift is to present their mother with a coupon for services. This can be as simple as doing household chores, cleaning up a room that isn’t their own, taking their mom out to lunch, or even a movie.

These ideas are special because it means that the teen is willing to spend time doing something for his or her mother, or just spending quality time with mom.

With Mother’s Day gifts and young children, it really is the thought that counts. Most of the gifts are not things that the mother would choose to receive except that their son or daughter spent time making it for them.

These gifts can really make Mothers Day special, as children are too young to simply run out to the store and purchase flowers and/or a gift for mom. Instead, these gifts come from the heart and are usually recognized as such.

To read more Surprise Her With Your Mother’s Day Gifts

The ancients in Greece and Rome both had festivals for the mother of the gods; however these aren’t closely connected to the first Mothers Day in modern history.

Early Christians celebrated the fourth Sunday in Lent to honor Mary, the mother of Christ, and later this became Mothering Sunday through a religious order that wanted to celebrate all mothers. In the United States, Mother’s Day began with Anna Jarvis, a young woman who worked hard to create a day to honor all mothers.

When the first Mothers Day was officially recognized and the date picked in the United States, the commercialism of this honoring day took over. Anna Jarvis was angry that people were making money and profiting from her simple idea of honoring her mother and encouraging others to do the same.

She spent the rest of her life trying to repair what she had begun, but to no avail. Mothers Day gift ideas fill the shops each year and perhaps the true meaning of the day has been lost.

The idea for the first Mothers Day was to honor the sacrifices and hard work that mothers do without compensation. However, the commercialism of this holiday has taken over and now several weeks before the second Sunday in May, people are out shopping for Mothers Day cards, flowers candy or gifts.

However, even though companies do make a profit, the real meaning of this holiday isn’t lost on all of the loving children who continue to try to honor their mothers in their own way.

To read more Anna Jarvis Created First Mothers Day In Modern Times

While most Americans do know that other countries have different holidays, many are unaware that Mothers Day UK is not celebrated during the same month as it is celebrated in the United States.

The history of Mothers Day isn’t generally taught in schools across America, and many Americans are surprised that another English speaking country, such as England, has a totally different date for this holiday.

Mother’s Day in America and Mothers Day UK both occur on different Sundays depending upon the year. In England, the Mother’s Day date will always be on the fourth Sunday during the Christian calendar season of Lent. It is considered to be the one day during Lent when the restrictions, such as fasting can be suspended.

Since Mother’s Day in the UK is celebrated during Lent, the date is always different, just as Easter is always on a different Sunday throughout the Church calendar. The secular calendar has adopted Easter from the Christian calendar, so Mothering Sunday, or Mother’s Day in the UK is always related to when Easter will occur.

The Mothers Day UK history is quite different from the United States and other countries around the world. Mothering Sunday is still celebrated in some churches in Canada, but it is only during the church service and not for the general public. The traditions have become similar between Mother’s Day in both the United States and England, as both have become commercialized.

Flowers for mothers are still given in churches, but outside of the church, children will purchase chocolates, gifts or make gifts for their moms. The idea is the same except for the religious meaning that occurs for those in England who are Christians, and that idea is for children to honor their mothers for all that they do for them.

To read more Fourth Sunday During Lent Is Mothers Day UK

If you were to ask most mothers of adult children what their Mothers Day wish would be, it would likely be to spend time with her children. Yet if the child has moved far away, then it isn’t practical to drive or fly home for just one day.

The adult children will then either telephone their moms or will send Mother’s Day cards or a gift that should arrive before Mother’s Day. However, with ever increasing technology, there are even more options that can bring a lot of joy to moms who no longer have grown children living near her.

A Mothers Day wish that can make Mothers Day special is to receive pictures of not only their adult children, but of any grandchildren that the mother has.

These photographs can be sent by email, along with a special letter telling her about how grateful you are that she is your mother. With some time and planning, it is possible to organize a group of recent pictures of your life and then send them either by email or by regular mail.

A Mothers Day wish can be granted more easily now if you’ve moved far away from home. Technology has improved so much during the past few years that it is now possible to not only send Mother’s Day gifts, but also to send pictures or even talk to your mother and see her through the use of the computer and specific programs.

Your mother will be pleased that you’ve taken the time to remember her on her special day.

To read more Children Keeping Mum Happy With A Mothers Day Wish

Mothering Sunday, is a holiday celebrated in the UK, is very similar to Mother’s Day in the United States. Both holidays exist as a chance for families and children to recognize their mothers and all that these women have done for them.

Mother’s Day gifts are given out on both days and in both cases there has been a lot of commercialization attached to this event. The UK version, however, has a richer history and in some parts of the UK it is still celebrated as such.

The history of Mothering Sunday involves both the Catholic Church and the Church of England. As it is a religious holiday that has become secularized over the years, knowing the history of Mothers Day from the viewpoint of the UK can be very useful.

In the 1600’s, children were sent away from home around the age of ten to either become domestic servants or to have an apprenticeship in a certain field. Their Mother church would be the church where they were baptized at a very young age.

The other religious connection for this holiday is through the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ. Thus, once a year these young children were allowed to return home to their mother church and to visit with their own mothers and families.

Commercialization and secularism have both had an effect upon Mothering Sunday in the UK. Even though it began as a religious holiday, it has quickly become a day to celebrate mothers by presenting flowers for mothers, gifts, sweets or dining out in a fancy restaurant.

In some parts of the UK the holiday is still a religious one and the history is preserved through the Church. In such places, it is common to have flowers given out to all the mothers sitting in pews during the church service.

To read more Celebrating Mothering Sunday In The UK

If you’ve recently lost your mother, then Mothers Day celebrations can make your grieving process more difficult. Watching others out purchasing gifts and flowers, and seeing stores with racks of Mothers Day cards can be upsetting.

However, rather than just ignoring the holiday, there are other ways for you to spend this day. Thinking of the good things that your mother did or taught you, and honoring her life can make the passage of the first Mother’s Day without her easier to get through.

Most Mothers Day celebrations can be skipped by simply visiting the cemetery where she is buried. Time can be spent alongside at the grave site, and words can be spoken that express how you feel on this day.

You can keep Mothers Day special by going to your church and using the time to reflect on the time you did have with your mother and to reassure yourself that she is now in a better place.

Giving of your time to others during Mothers Day celebrations can actually help in the grieving process if you’ve recently lost your mother. You can decide to spend time in reflection rather than join in celebrations, or you can use this time to make it a Happy Mother’s Day for local, impoverished mothers.

Even donating money to a cause that was special to your mother can become a way to remember your mother. There are many ways in which you can honor your mother on Mother’s Day even if she is no longer alive.

The good memories need to be talked about and shared so that the grief will lessen. Mother’s Day may become a day of reflection on your mother’s life or it can be a way to remember your mom by giving from your heart to someone else.

To read more Giving Your Time During Mothers Day Celebrations

Perhaps the first thought on your mind for the upcoming New Year is, “Which bars and pubs are we going to hit up?” But then you stopped and thought of what will be missing this year. One of your best friends was shipped out on a tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Deep down you know the parties just won’t be the same without him. You wish there was something you could do to let him know you were thinking of him just now. The holidays are often the most difficult time for US soldiers and their families, since Christmas and New Years are typically a time of togetherness. But don’t despair because there are many ways you can make a difference.

Over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays, many Americans like to send care packages as a show of support for our troops. The United Service Organizations Inc. is delivering care packages to US troops around the world for a $25 donation.

The packages include a prepaid phone card, sunscreen, travel sized toiletries, a disposable camera and a message from you. For more information visit www.usocares.org. Operation Gratitude also ships packages containing toiletries, food, entertainment gifts and personal letters to troops in the Middle East.

Visit www.opgratitude.com for more information. Lastly, you can visit www.treatsfortroops.com to donate themed packages or individual items from dozens of online gift shops.

New Year’s Eve holidays are sometimes celebrated with the allowance of a couple beers on base and games of poker. These New Year traditions help the soldiers feel a little less homesick, but it’s hard to deny the pain of being away from one’s family over the holidays.

Whether it’s cards, care packages, letters or text messages — these gestures mean a lot when troops are stranded in faraway lands.

To read more Sending Care Packages For New Year’s Eve Holidays