Mother's Day in New Zealand

The second Sunday of May is Mother's Day in New Zealand. Despite out British heritage where they celebrate Mothering Sunday in March, we have followed the US tradition and times.

When I was young while you did buy a present for your mother, it was usually small and with money saved from your pocket money. You then cooked breakfast and gave it to your Mum "in bed", and some families attended church. White flowers were traditionally given for Mother's Day.

These days it tends to be more commercial. Mother's may receive expensive gifts, and often are taken out for lunch or dinner. Restaurants and cafes cash in, and you may need to book a table at a popular restaurant. There is almost certainly going to be the 15% public holiday surcharge on the bill. If you have vouchers such as those in the Entertainment Book they are usually not honoured on Mother's Day.

Both my children are grown up and live overseas.One remembered because Mother's Day is the same day in Japan. In fact last year we were in Japan at his mother-in-law's place so the two Mum's were together........... which was lovely.

Skype comes into it's own when we were able to have a Mother's Day chat.

I suspect this year, more families reverted to the old more traditional, less commercial Mother's Day. I am always disappointed when people insist it is a commercial day. It is a celebration of Mother's and can be celebrated without being commercial. I urge people to do this.

I always encouraged my children to make me cards................and I still have them all....many with wonderful poems and thanks that I still treasure today.I remember the chocolate cake they made with my husband.....who to my knowledge had never baked a cake in his life! Every member of the family gets to share, and enjoy the experiences when children create and make their gifts and cards.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's!