Mother’s Day represents an exceptional opportunity to express gratitude for the unconditional love, sacrifice, and guidance that mothers provide for millions of people across the globe.
And while the sentiment of appreciation is universal, the specific dates and traditions for celebrating Mother’s Day vary significantly worldwide.
For immigrant families in the United States, this celebration often has layers of meaning. Many are grappling with the emotional complexity of acknowledging maternal figures while being thousands of miles away. However, the will for connection and celebration persists across these geographical divisions.
In this article, we’ll discuss the history of Mother’s Day in the United States, share some of the ways this special day is celebrated around the world, and offer practical suggestions for immigrants on how to honor their mothers across borders.
We’ll also explore how technology and services like uLink can help you connect when celebrating this milestone.
The Origins of Mother’s Day in the United States
In the United States, Mother’s Day began as a peace movement in the late 19th century. The abolitionist Julia Ward Howe, who wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” first proposed a Mother’s Day for Peace in 1872. She imagined a day when mothers would come together against war.
But the Mother’s Day we know today is credited to Anna Jarvis. After her mother died in 1905, Jarvis worked to establish a national day honoring mothers. Her determination was eventually rewarded when, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially established Mother’s Day.
Ironically, Jarvis went on a campaign against the commercialization of the holiday. She thought that Mother’s Day was about sentiment, not profit. Despite her best efforts, the holiday eventually became one of America’s most commercially significant celebrations.
Mother’s Day in the United States falls on the second Sunday in May. It’s one of the largest holidays for consumer spending, phone calls, and restaurant attendance. Americans usually show their love with cards, flowers, and special meals.
Mother’s Day Around the World
While Americans celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, many countries follow their own unique schedules and traditions.
In the United Kingdom, “Mothering Sunday” falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This tradition dates back to the 16th century when people would return to their “mother church” for a special service. Today, it has evolved into a celebration similar to the American Mother’s Day.
Mexico celebrates Mother’s Day on a fixed date: May 10th. The day typically begins with the singing of “Las Mañanitas,” a traditional Mexican birthday song, followed by a special meal. Mexican families often celebrate with elaborate festivities and large family gatherings.
In Thailand, Mother’s Day coincides with the birthday of Queen Sirikit on August 12th. The celebration includes parades, ceremonies, and the giving of jasmine flowers to mothers.
Ethiopian families celebrate motherhood as part of the Antrosht festival, typically held in the Fall. During this multi-day celebration, families gather for large meals, and mothers and daughters anoint themselves with butter on their faces.
In Japan, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday in May, similar to the United States. Japanese children often draw pictures of their mothers in school and participate in art contests. Carnations, representing the gentle strength of mothers, are the traditional gift.
The diversity of these celebrations highlights how Mother’s Day traditions reflect each culture’s unique values while sharing the universal theme of maternal appreciation.
A Typical Mother’s Day in the U.S.
In the United States, Mother’s Day has become a major commercial holiday. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans were expected to spend nearly $33.5 billion on Mother’s Day in 2024, with the average person spending around $254 on gifts and celebrations.
This spending trend reflects Americans’ desire to show appreciation, but meaningful celebrations don’t require large purchases. Many mothers report that what they truly want is quality time and thoughtful gestures.
A typical Mother’s Day in America often begins with breakfast in bed or a special brunch. Families might spend the day together at a park or museum. Or, they may simply relax at home. Many adult children who live far from their mothers make a point to call or video chat.
Handwritten cards with personal messages often mean more than expensive gifts. Simple acts like taking over household chores, preparing a favorite meal, or creating a photo album of special memories can create lasting impressions.
For those who can be physically present, offering your undivided attention can be the most precious gift. A walk together, sharing stories, or simply sitting and talking creates connections that transcend material gifts.
The essence of the day is about expressing genuine gratitude for the love, sacrifice, and guidance that mothers provide throughout the year.
Celebrating Mother’s Day as an Immigrant
For immigrants in the United States, Mother’s Day can inspire complex emotions. Whether you’re separated from your mother in your home country or you’re a mother separated from your children, distance adds a unique dimension to this celebration.
Many immigrants face the challenge of honoring their mothers across continents and time zones. Despite these obstacles, the bond between mothers and their children transcends borders. With some creativity and planning, you can create meaningful celebrations regardless of distance.
Use Technology to Connect
Technology has transformed how we maintain relationships across borders. Video calls through platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, or FaceTime allow for face-to-face connections that weren’t possible for previous generations of immigrants.
Consider scheduling a virtual Mother’s Day celebration. You might:
- Organize a surprise virtual party with family members from different locations.
- Cook the same meal together over video chat.
- Watch the same movie simultaneously while connected online.
- Create a digital photo album or slideshow to share memories.
For older mothers who might be less comfortable with technology, sending audio or video messages that can be played repeatedly offers a more accessible alternative to live video chats.
Create Your Own Mother’s Day Traditions
As an immigrant, you have the unique opportunity to blend traditions from both cultures. This fusion can create rich, meaningful celebrations that honor your heritage and your new home.
You might incorporate traditional Mother’s Day customs from your home country while adopting American practices. For example, if you’re from Mexico, you could sing “Las Mañanitas” during an American-style brunch. Or if you’re from the Philippines, you might wear a corsage (a Filipino Mother’s Day tradition) while enjoying a picnic in an American park.
These blended celebrations not only honor your mother but also help preserve cultural heritage for future generations. Creating new traditions that reflect your bicultural identity can make the day even more meaningful.
Send Love Across Borders
Sometimes, the most practical way to show appreciation is through financial support. Many immigrant mothers made sacrifices so their children could have better opportunities abroad, and sending money home can be a meaningful way to acknowledge these sacrifices.
Services like uLink make it easy to send money quickly and securely to mothers and maternal figures in your home country. This financial support can help pay for everything from daily necessities to special treats that might otherwise be unaffordable.
Beyond money, consider sending care packages with items that might be difficult to find in your home country. American chocolates, beauty products, or clothing brands can make thoughtful gifts that arrive with a piece of your new world.
The Enduring Significance of Honoring Mothers
Women make up approximately 51.3% of the immigrant population in the United States, with many being mothers who left their home countries to create better opportunities for their families. This maternal sacrifice deserves recognition not just on Mother’s Day, but throughout the year.
The stories of immigrant mothers often reflect remarkable resilience. As one writer beautifully puts it, they are “not your sacrificial lambs,” but complex individuals navigating tremendous challenges. These mothers often balance preserving cultural heritage while helping their families adapt to new environments.
Organizations like the International Organization for Migration document these stories of resilience across borders, highlighting how maternal bonds remain unbroken despite physical separation. Whether through handmade gifts, financial support, or video calls, honoring mothers across borders reinforces that love knows no boundaries.
Bridging Hearts Across Borders
Mother’s Day offers immigrants a special chance to strengthen family bonds despite separation. While distance prevents physical embraces, technology now makes connecting easier than ever.
The most meaningful gifts come from the heart: Sincere conversations, shared memories, or simply making time to connect. These gestures speak volumes about your appreciation for those who have guided your journey.
At uLink, we understand that these connections matter. We’re dedicated to helping you maintain vital links to family, making it simple to send your love and support back home with great exchange rates and low fees.
Learn how we can help you send money internationally to celebrate the special women in your life on Mother’s Day and beyond.
