When is Mother's Day 2025 in the UK and why does it change every year?
As Pancake Day passed on Tuesday and we've officially entered the period of Lent, the next national day coming up will be Mother's Day.
The one day a year where we show our appreciation for the love and labour that our mothers, step-mums and grannies have done for us all our lives is just around the bend, so it's crucial not to forget to buy that card and bunch of flowers.
Remember to mark your calendar now so you don't forget your mum's special day. But when exactly does Mothering Sunday fall this year, and why is it so hard to keep track of?
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Here's everything you need to know about Mother's Day 2025.
Where does Mother's Day come from?
Mothering Sunday originated in the 16th Century in the UK.
The Arena Flowers website explains the origins of the event and why it has become tradition to gift flowers to your mum on the special day.
They say: "The tradition was that you paid your ‘mother church’ a visit – either the church where you were christened, your parish church, or the nearest cathedral – and you were said to be ‘going a-mothering’ when you did so.
"On this day, which came to be known as Mothering Sunday, servants were given the day off to go back to the parish in which 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.
"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."
Why does Mother's Day change every year?
Pancake Day, Lent, and Easter all move dates every year, and Mother's Day only adds to this calendar chaos. But why is this?
The answer is that all these events are actually connected. Easter moves with the Lunar Calendar, always falling on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first full moon after the spring equinox.
Lent always begins 47 days before Easter, and Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday) is the day before the start of Lent, which is known as Ash Wednesday.
Mother's Day, however, is always the fourth Sunday of Lent, which explains why it also changes every year.
Even more confusing, the US also celebrates Mother's Day, which for them always falls on the second Sunday in May.
When is Mother's Day 2025?
Lent began on Wednesday, March 5 this year, meaning Easter Sunday will fall on April 20. The fourth Sunday of Lent- Mother's Day- will fall on March 30 this year.
So don't forget to put it in the calendar!
