history of the holiday
Mother's Day in Russia was formalized at the official level by Decree of Russian President B. Yeltsin dated January 30, 1998 No. 120. The initiative to establish the holiday was put forward by Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation A. Aparina. She was a member of the Committee on Women, Family and Youth Affairs. The purpose of the holiday was to strengthen family foundations and emphasize the importance of the role of the mother in a person’s life.
The first holiday was held on October 30, 1988 at school No. 228 in Baku. Its author was the teacher of Russian language and literature E. Guseinova. The event received widespread coverage in newspapers and magazines, meeting with universal support and approval. The press published scenarios justifying the need to honor mothers. Secondary educational institutions supported the Baku tradition. A few years later it grew into a nationwide one.
Holiday traditions
Mother's Day is not celebrated very widely in Russia. On this holiday, children congratulate their mothers and give them handmade gifts: drawings, appliqués, crafts. Social events are held, the most popular of which is “Mom, I love you.” Leaflets and greeting cards are distributed near metro stations, public transport stops and shopping centers. Public organizations conduct public lectures on the topic of motherhood. The main goal of social activity is a caring and careful attitude towards the mother, the dissemination of family values and traditions.
Radio and television broadcast programs about family and relationships. Top officials of the state congratulate mothers. In their speeches they emphasize the role of women in procreation and human development.
In many regions, this holiday is celebrated with the presentation of medals, orders, certificates, and cash prizes to mothers for the worthy upbringing of children.
Getting ready for the holiday
Moms deserve daily love. That's why Mother's Day needs to be made special. We'll tell you where to start preparing and how an adult or child can congratulate their mother.
What to give for Mother's Day? Top 5 gift ideas for adults
Rest for mom
Give your mother a massage, pleasant relaxing SPA treatments, free her from household chores and worries. Let her feel like a real star on this day. If you are worried about your mother’s health, and her character will allow you to appreciate the benefit of the gift, you can give her an examination at a medical clinic.
Unusual bouquet
Surprise your mother on this autumn day with an interesting bouquet. If you don’t find any forget-me-nots on sale, you can order an original composition from a florist or make a bouquet yourself from chocolate, fruits or delicacies that your mother loves. For example, here are the instructions for creating a bouquet of Raffaello sweets:
Gift for the soul
Has your mother long dreamed of learning to sing or dance? Sew a beautiful dress yourself or make a mug with your own hands? Nowadays it is not difficult to find a studio where relevant master classes are held. New impressions, and most importantly, a new, enjoyable hobby, will definitely leave a pleasant impression in her heart.
By the way, if there are no specialized studios in your city, choose online courses for your mother. To prevent the gift from becoming a burden, purchase everything you need to complete the course in offline or online creative stores.
Another evening together
If you don’t see your parents very often, then give your mom one more evening together - these could be tickets to a movie, theater, concert, show, visit to an interesting museum, water park, or just booking a table in a restaurant. Mom will be especially pleased if she doesn’t leave the house so often.
Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic, attending events must comply with all safety measures and take into account social distancing. Don't want to risk your health? You can watch a movie or a concert at home, the main thing is to create the right atmosphere so that mom forgets about her usual worries.
Useful thing
An annual subscription to an online cinema, an expensive edition of your favorite book signed by the donor, a set of new winter tires for your car, tools for your summer house or garden, a large cozy blanket or a certificate from your favorite store. Useful gifts can be very different: it all depends on the tastes and interests of your mother. You shouldn’t, perhaps, give cosmetics with the annotation “anti-aging” or “anti-wrinkle”, or a fitness tracker if the mother does not like to exercise and does not dream of it herself.
Surround and take care of your mommy not only on her “professional” holiday. Dear adults and elderly people often need our help. To provide it in time, always know where your loved one is at the moment, where he was during the day, listen to what is happening around him and quickly communicate, checking his health and well-being using the “Where are my children” application.
Top 5 ideas for a gift from a child
With your own hands
The best gift is one made by yourself. Cut it out, glue it - and the present for your beloved mother is ready! Here are some ideas for Mother's Day cards, from ones that younger kids can make with dad's help to creative options for older kids.
Postcard with voluminous flowers
You will need: white paper 15x15 cm - 7 pieces, A4 colored cardboard, glue stick, scissors, felt-tip pen, pencil.
Card with flowers and hearts
You will need: colored paper (density 12-160 g per square meter), scissors, glue. You can additionally decorate with rhinestones.
Postcard with a cat or a bear
You will need: a sheet of paper 27x19 cm for the base of the card and a sheet of paper 24x18 cm for the animal, glue, pencils and markers.
Postcard-applique from pistachios
You will need: white cardboard, paints with brushes, a heat gun (or glue), pistachio skins (can be replaced with seeds or pebbles), a green napkin and felt-tip pens.
Liquid postcard
You will need: baby oil, a notebook or book cover, a marker, a sheet of paper, a curling iron or iron, glitter.
For the neatest ones, we offer this version of a three-dimensional umbrella postcard.
You will need: a lot of colored paper, cardboard, glue and beads.
Crafts for Mother's Day
By the way, a craft can also be a gift. For example:
Hanging flower arrangement
Original vase with flowers using string art technique
Desk calendar that can be supplemented with wishes for mom every day
Unusual box for small items
Let us also remind you about the main symbol of the holiday: if you show a little perseverance and accuracy, you can create such a bouquet of forget-me-nots from corrugated paper
Treat for mom
There are many recipes that a child can handle (especially if his dad helps him). The main thing is to prepare the ingredients in advance and distract mom so that she doesn’t see the cooking process, and don’t forget to clean up after it!
For example, here are 5 ideas for delicious no-bake cakes:
Time for wish fulfillment
If a mother often swears because the child does not clean up his toys, is constantly naughty, or prefers computer games to homework, then this needs to be corrected. A promise (which we hope will be faithfully kept!) to listen to your mother and not upset her for at least a week will be a great gift for her.
Photo or video presentation
Many guys are familiar with photo and video processing programs on their phones or computers. If a child makes a virtual photo album with his mother’s favorite photos, adding stickers and inscriptions to them, or a presentation about why there is no one better than his mother in the world, then she will be pleased.
Creativity
Write a poem, a song, or create a dance for your mom. Or you can put a bunch of small pieces of paper with compliments for mom in a beautifully decorated box. Let her take out notes for many more days in a row and rejoice at how bright, wonderful, kind and the best she is.
What to give for Mother's Day
Cosmetics.
Favorite perfume, skin care set or bath products are a pleasant and useful gift for a woman. If it is difficult to make a choice, you can present a gift certificate to a store in which she can choose a gift for herself.
Kitchen gadgets.
Mothers love to delight their children and family members with delicious surprises. For those who like to spend time cooking, you can give them a kitchen gadget - a mixer, blender, multicooker, toaster, steamer, juicer.
Family photo album.
Collect children's pictures, print photos from electronic media that you always don't get your hands on. Take funny selfies the day before or arrange a family photo session. Such a gift will become a memorable thing for mom, which she will be happy to take in her hands.
Indoor plant.
Unlike a bouquet of cut flowers, a houseplant in a pot will please your mother’s eyes for a long time. A blooming orchid, violet or azalea will create a festive mood and bring comfort to your home.
More gift options for Mother's Day
Toasts
“Mommy, I congratulate you on your “professional” holiday, because being a mother is the most responsible and difficult job. Thank you for the warmth of your hands and sleepless nights. I wish you not to disturb your nerve cells in vain, because everything is always fine with me. May your health be excellent and your heart filled with peace and love!”
“We sincerely congratulate all mothers on the holiday! Being a mother is not an easy, delicate, and very responsible matter! You are growing the future and therefore we wish you boundless patience, boundless love and courage!”
“The first word of every child is Mom. When we are scared, we want to go to our mother. When we feel bad, we remember our mother. I'm not big on religions, but I firmly believe in one thing. I believe in my mother, she will never betray me, and I will never betray her. Let's raise a glass to the person closest to us."
Beautiful words and wishes for mom
No one will ever replace mom. Probably, no matter how many warm and kind words we say to our mothers, it will still not be enough. Take care, love and respect your mothers, do everything to make them proud of you, share with them all their joys and troubles, call them not only on weekends, but every single day.
Be sure to sincerely and tenderly congratulate them on the last Sunday of November, present poems, gifts, flowers and sweets. Be with them on this day and take care of all their daily household chores.
If you are far away, just call your mother in the morning on a holiday and say: “Happiness to you, my dear, beloved and only mother! I know that sometimes it’s very difficult for you with me. But, believe me, I appreciate every day that I can spend next to you and every moment when I can look into your kind, smart and loving eyes.”
Happy Mother's Day greetings in prose
My dear, beloved, dear mother! I really want to congratulate you on this bright holiday - Mother's Day! I will never stop repeating that I got the best mother in the world. I love you madly, I’m proud of your every achievement, and I want to thank you so much for not just giving me life, but making it as happy as possible. Be healthy, smiling, and sociable. And please don’t worry about the little things. Happy holiday!
On this spring day in May, the eyes of every Ukrainian mother shine in a special way, because they hear warm congratulations from the dearest people in life - their children. With all my heart I want to congratulate all mothers on this holiday and wish them a sea of smiles, happiness, inspiration and patience. The title of “mother” is the best title a woman can receive in her life. Happy holiday, our caring doves!
Dear mommy! There is no stronger feeling in the world than loving you. Your motherly heart always hears when I feel bad, and your warmth always warms me in difficult times. It's priceless. So may the Lord protect this bright, immortal feeling that connects the soul of mother and child!
Mommy, I congratulate you on Mother's Day! I wish you good health, love, warmth, joy, good mood. Thank you for your tenderness, care and support. You are the kindest, most affectionate, sweet, wise mother in the world. I very love you!
SMS congratulations on Mother's Day
- I sincerely congratulate you on Mother's Day. I wish you to be the most wonderful mother in the world, an eternally sweet and beautiful woman, an excellent housewife and an infinitely happy person.
- Happy Mother's Day! I wish that mother’s love always protects and preserves, so that every mother’s heart is happy. Tenderness, warmth, love and prosperity!
- I would like to congratulate you on Mother’s Day and sincerely wish you patience and good health, a strong happy family and mutual understanding with children.
- Happy Mother's Day. I wish you sensitivity of heart, kindness of soul, family peace and understanding, strong children's hugs and sincere joy.
- Happy Mother’s Day and I want to wish you strong nerves, good patience, a friendly family, wonderful children, joyful achievements and the tireless beating of a mother’s heart in the rhythm of happiness.
Competitions
Mom's portrait
Children are given drawing supplies: pencils, paints, markers, sheets of paper. Using their imagination, children must draw a portrait of their mother. Finished works are displayed in front of mothers, where each must guess their child’s work.
Mom's hands
To conduct the competition, mothers sit in a row and their children are blindfolded. Each child in turn must feel the hands of all mothers and guess his own.
Daughters and mothers
To conduct this competition, you must prepare cards with thematic tasks in advance. For example: feed her porridge, check her diary, braid her hair, set the thermometer. Children in pairs with their mothers must choose a card and demonstrate the intended action. However, in this task, participants switch roles. The child must demonstrate a formidable parent, and the mother must transform into a capricious baby.
Games and competitions for Mother's Day
Interesting Facts
- In the USA and Australia, the symbol of Mother's Day is the carnation. This flower is pinned to clothing. The color of the carnation has a symbolic meaning. Those who want to honor the memory of their deceased mother wear a white flower.
- In Russia, Mother's Day ranks fourth of the year in terms of flower sales.
- Around $14 billion is spent on Mother's Day gifts around the world each year.
- In Canada, on Mother's Day, children bring their mothers breakfast in bed, and in the UK they prepare fruit salad.
- In the history of mankind, the most numerous mother of many children was a Russian peasant woman. Over 27 years, she gave birth to 69 children.
How to spend a holiday?
It would be a bad idea to overload the mother herself with preparations for the holiday. Free her from hours of dancing in front of the stove and oven, because this is her day. If other family members cannot prepare a full lunch or dinner because of their age, at least try making tea for your mother for breakfast (we have already talked about recipes for simple cakes).
Try to choose a gift based on your mother's preferences. It should not be too expensive, but it must be sincere, useful and evoking positive emotions. On Mother's Day, the main heroines of the holiday expect a manifestation of love from their son or daughter, and not expensive things.
If mom doesn’t mind a little adventure, then you can come up with a little quest or game for her in the style of “12 notes”, and give her a gift at the end. Yes, yes, many mothers also love to play and will be happy to feel like a child!
And most importantly, do not bring up topics in conversations that upset or annoy your mother. Leave family feuds at the door and devote time to making your relationship the best it can be!
In conclusion, we note that November 28th is coming soon. And therefore, it’s worth starting to think about all the details of the congratulations now. On other days of the year, there is not always time to say warm and necessary words to a loved one, to show care and express gratitude. Mother's Day is a great occasion to do this in a sincere and beautiful way.
About mom
In the life of every person, mother plays a key role. This is a person who gives life, accompanies you in childhood and throughout growing up. She is an example of femininity, self-sacrifice, tenderness, selflessness, kindness and care. Giving birth and raising a child brings happiness to women and places a burden of responsibility on their shoulders. The love and support of a mother gives the child protection and a sense of self-confidence. Even when they become adults, daughters and sons share their innermost secrets, sorrows and joys with them, and come for advice in difficult times. Throughout life, the parental home remains the most beloved, warm and cozy place on earth, where mother’s affectionate eyes are always greeted, and the smells of hot baked goods come from the kitchen. This holiday is a wonderful occasion to once again say about your love, to express gratitude and tenderness to the person who gave life.
How to celebrate Mother's Day in Russia
On this day, various events dedicated to mothers are held throughout our country:
- various promotions and flash mobs;
- exhibitions of drawings, crafts, photo and video exhibitions;
- concerts for mothers;
- rental of films and plays where the main theme is love and respect for the mother.
In kindergartens and schools, events are held where children recite poems to their mothers, sing songs dedicated to them, and say words of love and admiration to them.
At such holidays, tea parties, various contests and competitions are held, mothers are given gifts that the children made for them with their own hands, as well as flowers and sweets. And on this day, adult children try to come to visit their mother or invite her to their place and set a festive table for her. Mothers listen to words of gratitude and assurances of love from their adult children, and accept congratulations and gifts from them.
What else can and even should be done on Mother's Day
Celebrating Mother's Day at a common family table is, of course, a wonderful tradition. But it seems that such a feast will not differ from other holidays. But Mother's Day is a special day. And you need to show your mother your love and respect not only with words. The biggest and best gift for her would be the help of children. And not a one-time thing, only on holidays, but a constant one, when adults and not so children help her do the cleaning, or go to the store, or cook dinner.
Even when children live far from their mothers, they can tell her about their love every day when they call her on the phone and inquire about her health, are interested in her life, and ask how they can help her. Mother's Day shouldn't only happen once a year for loving children. It doesn’t take just one day a year to say thank you to your mom for your life, say it to them every day and moms will be happy.
This holiday in other countries
Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in Ukraine, the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Estonia, Malta, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Brazil.
In the UK, Mother's Day falls on the first Sunday in March. In Spain, Portugal and Lithuania - on the first Sunday in May. In Kazakhstan - on the third Sunday of September. In Kyrgyzstan - on the third Sunday of May.
In some countries, Mother's Day has a fixed date:
- Egypt - March 21.
- Belarus – October 14.
- Georgia – March 3.
- Armenia – April 7.
- Greece – May 9.
- Philippines – May 10.
- Poland – May 26.
