My family has never been one to celebrate Mother’s Day. Trapped in the era of hyper-commercialism, what was intended to be a day to thank our mothers for the hard work they do—founder Anna Jarvis’s mother nursed soldiers back to health in the Civil War—Mother’s Day has become monetized to max. Walk into any department store and you’ll be bombarded with ads galore trying to convince you to buy the world for your mom, from cute greeting cards to expensive electronics. Understandably, Anna Jarvis was so unsatisfied with the commercial obsession with Mother’s Day she wanted to have the holiday axed entirely. While I understand Jarvis’s misgivings about commercializing a day based on love—sounds familiar, huh, St. Nick—there is no reason why we can’t ground our favorite holiday and celebrate the women who support us.
1. Make your own cards/gifts
While receiving store-bought gifts can be nice, Mom can just go to the store and buy that exact thing for herself! Making something for your mother that no one else can recreate is truly special and honors a woman just as unique as your gift.
2. Call your mom!
For those of us who no longer live at home, sometimes our communication with our favorite matriarch exists solely over text and family email chains. One on one conversation is so important and it can happen in live time, so be sure to give your mom a ring.
3. Partake in one of your mom’s favorite activities
What does your mom like to do? This Mother’s Day, even if it means going to Aunt Jen’s belly dancing class, join your mom in one of her favorite activities. Showing her you care about her interests shows you care about her as a person. And who knows? Maybe you’ll pick up a new hobby.
4. Take a load off her back
It is an undeniable truth that mothers always have waaayy too much to do. Free up some space in her schedule by completing one of her many tasks for her. Digging up the dandelions? Done. Picking up the dog from the groomers? Done. Anything for you, Mom.
5. Appreciate all the women in your life
While moms are incredible people, the world is filled with women who don’t get recognized because they either can’t or don’t want to be birth-givers. So when you and your mama hustle off to Aunt Jen’s belly dancing class, invite Gwen and Sandra and Angel to come along too! All women should be appreciated regardless of children, because while I appreciate the wonderful woman who raised me, I also know it really does take a village.