Mothering Sunday in the UK – History and Traditions
There are days designated in almost every culture to take the time to appreciate mothers. Mother's Day in the UK is different from the American festival that has the same name, although it is also a day in which children traditionally give flowers, presents, and cards to their mothers. Mothering Sunday in the UK is the fourth Sunday of Lent. In the past, it was a day when children who were working as domestic servants were traditionally given the day off to go visit their mothers. This holiday has religious origins, and is on a Sunday because this is the day when churchgoers traditionally go to worship at their church.
In the past, churchgoers would need to return to their home and pay a visit to their original "mother" church once a year. This would occur during the period of Lent, when everyone who had moved away from their family would return to their home villages to visit this main church. This became associated with an occasion for children who were working away from home to return and visit their mothers, because centuries ago it was common for children as young as ten to go away to start working in domestic households. This day became known as Mothering Sunday in the UK.
The tradition of bringing flowers to mothers for Mothering Sunday in the UK also began with this old holiday related to the church, because it was said that as they walked to their home villages, children would pick wild flowers along the way to present to their mothers. Today, flowers are still sent to mothers, as a way to show appreciation and love. Because this holiday occurs in the springtime, it's common to send bouquets of fresh spring flowers to liven up the day.
Another way to celebrate Mothering Sunday in the UK is with food. The Simnel cake is a traditional fruit cake made with two layers of almond paste. These layers are on the top and in the middle of the cake, and it is frosted with 11 balls of marzipan icing. Sugar violets were traditionally added to keep with the floral theme of the day. In addition to giving mothers flowers, many children will choose to give them cakes or other treats, and the whole family often settles down to have a nice meal together as a means of celebrating the mother's role in the family.