MOTHER'S DAY
"LAND OF THE HEART"
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These pages are dedicated to my mother Catherine Rita.
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 Mother's Day
Around the World
Mother's Day is celebrated throughout the world, but it is not universally celebrated on the same day. The customs and traditions surrounding this holiday also differ from country to country.
In the United States one way we celebrate our mothers is by buying her gifts - gifts that are not very expensive to the elaborate, gifts that are from the heart. We may spend time with our mothers on their special day, or maybe give mom a day off from her daily chores, to give her a day where she is pampered and treated like a queen.
Since America is a melting pot of many nationalities, there is no set manner in which we nationally celebrate Mother's Day. It may differ from home to home. But, we all have two things in common: one - to pay tribute to our mothers and two to do it on her special day, the second Sunday in May "Mother's Day."
Some of the same traditions are followed in other counties as evidenced in the information below.
Australia - Mother's Day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in May. Sometimes she receives presents or cards, or maybe breakfast in bed.
Canada - In Canada Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May. As gifts mother's usually receive chocolates and flowers. Mothers are given a day off from their household chores, and breakfast and supper may be prepared for her.
Finland - In Finland Mother's Day is celebrated the same day as in the USA, the 2nd Sunday in May. In Finland that is an ideal time for this day, because just around that time spring is finally taking over. Nature is "waking up" after a long winter sleep. Trees start to get leaves again and the birds come back from the south. The main event for Mother's Day; the first flowers are coming up too. There is one particular flower, which always blossoms for Mother's Day; it's called "valkovuokko," it's white and tiny, it doesn't really have a strong scent, but for all the mothers it's the most beautiful gift they can get on her special day.
Sunday morning usually means sleeping-in, but this Sunday sleeping-in is only for the mothers. At around eight o'clock the kids and the father wake up and take a morning walk to the fields or forests near by, and pick a nice bouquet of "valkovuokkos." After the flowers are put in a vase, everybody helps prepare a nice breakfast for their mom. The breakfast and the flowers are placed on a tray, then they go to the bedroom, where mom is still sleeping, wake her up with kisses and "Happy Mother's Day"-wishes. Mom feels very special, and that's what Mother's Day is for.
Guatemala - Guatemala celebrates Mother's Day on May 10th. On Mother's Day the children wake up in the morning, go to their mother's room and give her the gifts. They do not have school on this holiday. After breakfast they visit the grandmothers, having a snack at one, and dinner at the other.
Italy - In Italy Mother's Day is clebrated on the second Sunday in May. Children usually buy presents, flowers are a favorite gift. At the midday dinner mother is a special guest and she doesn't have to work on this day. The dessert is usually a heart shaped cake, that can be purchased at a pastry shop. The opening of her presents after dinner always makes her happy.
Thailand - Thailand celebrates this holiday on May 20 in honor of Her Majesty the Queen's birthday because they respect her as their mother. Also, they honor their own mothers by going to the temple to give blessings to her and to Her Majesty the Queen.
All though the traditions and customs celebrating Mother's Day may differ from country to country or the day on which it is celebrated, one custom is the same, it is a day set aside to honor our mothers.
Mother's Day 2000
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Argentina
Oct., 3rd Sun. |
Austraila
May, 2n Sun. |
Burkina Faso
April 7 | |
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Canada
May, 2nd Sun. |
Central African
Republic May 3 |
Costa Rica
August 15 | |
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Denmark
May 14 |
Dominican
Republic
May, 1st Sun |
England
March 22 | |
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Finland
May, 2nd Sun. |
France
May, last Sun. |
Georgia
March 3 | |
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Guatemala
May 10 |
Italy
May, 2nd Sun. |
Japan
May, 2nd Sun. | |
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Lebanon
1st day of spring |
Lithuania
May 2 |
Malawi
October 9 | |
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Mexico
May 10 |
Mongolia
June 1 |
Norway
Feb., 2nd Sun. | |
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Palau
December 8 |
Panama
December 8 |
Paraguay
May 15 | |
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Portugal
December 8 |
South Africa
May, 1st Sun. |
Spain
December 8 | |
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Sweden
May, the last Sun. |
Switzerland
May, 2nd Sun. |
Syria
March 21 | |
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Thailand
May 20 |
Turkey
May 14 |
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You can find more information about "Moter's Day Around the World" from the sites listed below.
 Mothering Day in England
Mother's Day around the world
Mother's Day Email/Cards
Send mother that special greeting via the computer
to any where in the world.
Free Animated Virtual Mother's Day...
Greetsomeone.com...Mother's Day cards
Mother's Day Cards and Awesome...
Mother's Day eCards from Blue...
Mother's Day Greeting...
Virtual Mother's Day Cards
Welcome to the Cardmaster
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