Celebrating Mothers of the World Through Flowers

Flowers are the gift of choice for most mothers this Sunday, when most nations throughout the world will celebrate mothers of all ages. Mothers day is the day we honor those who brought us into this world, and it is also the day when husbands honor their wives who have given them children.

Flowers are fleeting, but you can make them last longer with a few simple tips. The longer these flowers last, the longer your special mother will remember the thought behind the gift. Keep flowers in a cool spot (18-22 degrees C), and keep them away from radiators, the tops of televisions or computers, out of direct sunlight, and away from fans. For flowers with woody stems, it is recommended that they be cut with sharp shears, which will make the flowers open. Leaves should not go below the water line, as this will promote bacterial growth.

Often flowers arrive in floral foam that is specifically designed to kill bacteria and nourish the flowers, so don't throw it out, and when it becomes cloudy, replace it. It is very important to follow directions about the floral food, however, as misuse can do more harm than good. Do all this, and your Mothers day flowers will last for days beyond the one set aside for mothers.

Mother's Day Gifts - Sometimes Artificial is Better Than Real

Mother's Day gifts are often a card and some flowers. I won't be giving my mother any real flowers this year, or any other year... she's allergic to most kinds of flowers. She loves flowers, but unfortunately cannot be around them. Instead, my parents have bouquets of artificial flowers scattered about their home.

So... I am looking into sending artificial flowers as one of my Mothers Day gifts to her. It so happens that 1800FLOWERS.com offers a plethora of different types of artificial flowers along with its assortment of real ones. Besides the fact that my mother won't have visit the emergency room for a quick shot of cortisone, artificial flowers are better than real in many other ways. They don't wilt and they keep their beauty for years. Now... I just have to decide if roses (my favorite) or some other type of flowers will be one of my gifts for Mothers Day.

A Brief History of Mother's Day

The modern celebration of Mother's Day in the United States was begun in the early 20th century by Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for a national day to honor mothers and as a way to honor her own deceased mother. But the idea of giving flowers as a gift to your mother goes back to the Middle Ages, to a day called Mothering Sunday in Europe.

During the Middle Ages, children as young as eight would be sent off to learn a trade or to work in the houses of the wealthy in neighboring towns. These children rarely got the chance to see their mothers, as transport was difficult and relatively expensive. Often, children would return home for the weekend on the fourth Sunday of Lent, before the Easter holidays, during which they were needed to help prepare for the Easter feasts. Along the way home, children would pick flowers for their mothers in this medieval Mothers Day, accompanied by gifts from their employers.

Today, Mother's Day is celebrated around the world, on different days, though it is celebrated by most countries on the second Sunday of May.