Mother’s Day, like Valentine’s Day, is sometimes thought of by the cynical-minded as just a gimmick to sell flowers, cards and cake. After all, why do you need to set aside one special day to celebrate your mother? Shouldn’t you celebrate her, well, every day?

How Did Mother’s Day Come About?

However, there’s more to Mother’s Day than meets the eye. Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1858, established by Ann Reeves Jarvis, who organized Mothers’ Day Work Clubs to improve sanitary conditions and stem her community’s appalling infant mortality rates. (Nine of Jarvis’ 13 children die before adulthood.)

In 1905, Ann Reeves Jarvis dies on the second Sunday in May; her daughter, Anna,  establishes this as a memorial day for her mother in 1907. The idea takes hold, and from 1908 the second Sunday in May became ‘Mother’s Day’. Anna Jarvis has white carnations distributed in the church, and carnations have since been associated with Mother’s Day.

Sadly, Anna became increasingly disillusioned with the commercialization of what she envisioned as a sacred day, and died a recluse.

What’s the Best Way to Celebrate?

Well, if your mum is like most mums - just spend a little time with her!  You don’t have to give into the lure of fancy dinners and expensive flowers - unless you want to, of course! In Crane’s view, the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day is to do something fun with Mum, or with the whole family!

1. Give your Mom the gift of therapy

For all the stress and worry you know you’ve put her through, you owe her this much. This 4 May, bring your mom for a Self-Care Sound Immersion Journey, which combines a beautiful self-care therapy box by Osmatic Essences and a sound bath experience with sound therapist Wendy Lum.

2. Treat her to a guilt-free 3-course dinner

Enjoy a fantastic, vegetarian-friendly dinner with The Green Kitchen. Not only are the ingredients good for you and your mom, they are sustainably sourced!

3. Spend an activity-filled day with her from sunrise

On 8 May, kick off the day with Secret Sunrise at 8am on our beautiful outdoor deck. Continue with a candle-making class with Moana from 10am. And if Mum is single and ready to mingle (or YOU are!) join Oh Hey for a fun singles brunch and dinner at night.

4. Craft with Mom

Remember in Kindergarten when you would take home your sloppy crafts to Mom? Remember when she put them up in the house? No? Well, we bet she does. Fondly. So why not try your hand at making your own ceramic votive holder and incense holder with Gypsy Soul. And this time, she might put your work up because she actually likes it.

5. Have a meaningful discussion on breast cancer

Connect any mother who has had the misfortune of being diagnosed with breast cancer with the support group she deserves. Over brunch, join Pika and Wendy as they share tips and strategies on what can be done to help caregivers, survivors, friends and colleagues cope and learn to thrive after a breast cancer diagnosis.

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