Mothering Sunday

Mother’s Day in the UK has its origins in the 16th century custom of ‘Mothering Sunday’, which fell on the fourth Sunday of Lent. That’s three Sundays before Easter, and the tie-in with the church calendar is why it’s always a bit confusing trying to work out when it is each year. The tradition was that you paid your ‘mother church’ a visit – either the church where you were christened, or your parish church, or the nearest cathedral – and you were said to be ‘going a-mothering’ when you did so. 

A Family Get-Together

On this day, which came to be known as Mothering Sunday, servants were given the day off to go back to the parish they were born, with children and other family members also joining in. Because this occasion was a rare opportunity for a family get-together, the focus of the day gradually shifted to visiting not just the mother church, but one’s own mother. 

Flowers and Cakes

On the way to the church, people gathered wildflowers to leave in the church and to present to their mothers. And, although the day fell during Lent, the austerity was relaxed for Mothering Sunday and people treated their mothers to edible gifts such as simnel cake, ‘mothering buns’ or fig pie. Flowers remain a popular theme for Mother’s Day ecards. 

Mother’s Day eCards

Today, Mother’s Day is as popular as it’s ever been. People send flowers, chocolates and greeting cards to their mums. They post endearing photos of their mother on social media. And many people choose to send an ecard to their mum. Whether it’s Flowers For You for a flowery Mother’s Day ecard, Tipsy Flamingo as a funny ecard for a mum who enjoys a glass of wine, or Treat Yo Self which is the perfect ecard for a mum who deserves a break or The Best Mum for an ecard which says it all. At 2050cards we’ve got the right card for you! Explore our Mother’s Day collection.