Welsh Blankets
Mother’s Day in Wales and in the United Kingdom
Mother's Day
When is Mother's Day
Mother’s Day in Wales and in the rest of the UK is celebrated each year three weeks before Easter Day, or Easter Sunday. It is also the fourth Sunday in Lent. Often known as Mothering Sunday in the UK and Sul y Mamau in Wales, it gives children of all ages the chance to celebrate their Mothers.
Happy Mother's Day in Welsh is "Sul y Mamau"
Sul y Mamau is celebrated in Wales on the same day as in the rest of the United Kingdom. Mother's Day, also known as Mothering Sunday, is held on the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday and usually falls in the second half of March or early April.
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Happy Mother's Day - Sul y Mamau Hapus
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Happy Mothering Sunday - Sul y Mamau Hapus
Celebration Days and Festivals in Wales
Here is a short list of celebration days and festivals in Wales. All these days are listed on the Celebration Days Wales link below.
Unlike other celebration days such as Christmas, St Dwynwen’s and Valentine's Days, Cilmeri Day and Halloween, Mother’s Day falls on different dates every year. This is because it is exactly three weeks before Easter Day.
What are the origins of Mother's Day?
The origins of Mothering Sunday in the UK begin in the Middle Ages, when children who had left their families to work in domestic service were allowed to go back to their home church - or "mother church" as it was known.
At first, the "mothering" aspect of the day had no link to maternal parents, as it does today. The homeward journey also became a springtime occasion for families to reunite. The custom then developed for children to pick flowers on the way home as a gift to their mothers.
Mother’s Day around the World
So how did "Mothering Sunday", a UK name and celebration become "Mother's Day"? Well... the Americans!
Mother's Day in the USA
The American festival of Mother's Day, which is held later in the year and has no religious connotations, drifted across the Atlantic. Mother’s Day USA also changes the date each year as it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May – in 2024 Mother’s Day is on 12th May. So soon Mothering Sunday became more popularly known as Mother's Day in the UK. The American day was created in 1907 by Anna Jarvis, who held a memorial for her mother Ann Jarvis, a peace activist who treated wounded soldiers in the American Civil War. Her daughter campaigned for a day to honour the role played by mothers. The idea was readily accepted in the USA and 1911 all states had established a public holiday.In 1914, Mothers Day in the USA became a national holiday following a declaration by President Woodrow Wilson .
Mother's Day Around the World
Many other countries also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. These include Canada, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, the Philippines and South Africa. Most Arab countries celebrate Mother's Day on March 21st (Vernal or Spring Equinox) whereas most East European countries celebrate Mother's Day on March 8th.
In most countries, Mother's Day is a recent observance derived from the holiday as it has evolved in America. When it was adopted by other countries and cultures, it was given different meanings, associated to different events (religious, historical or legendary), and celebrated on a different date or dates. Some countries already had existing celebrations honouring motherhood, and their celebrations have adopted several external characteristics from the USA holiday, like giving cards and other presents on Mother’s Day.
About FelinFach
Located in Pembrokeshire Wales, our ethos is defined in the three words...
NATURAL TRADITIONAL HANDMADE.
- Hand woven iconic Welsh blankets.
- Hand dyed yarn, dyed with natural dyes only - no exceptions!
- Handmade candles, candle accessories, Candle Making Workshops and soapery.
- Natural Dyeing Craft courses.
- Yarn shop, yarn bowls, project bags, tools and accessories for knitters and crafters.
- Welsh Gifts, souvenirs, made in Wales, handmade in Wales.
We are a proud supporter of Americymru, the Campaign for Wool, Global Welsh and Red Dragon America.
Last updated 4th March 2024
