Mother's Day is quickly approaching and one of the most popular gifts to get mom or a special woman in your life is flowers. While breakfast in bed may be just what mom needs, nothing says “I love you” like fresh flowers.
Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday each year in May and originated in Greece. Yes, Greece. In ancient times, legend has it each spring many people celebrated Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. This celebration eventually made its way to England, where “Mothering Sunday” marked the fourth Sunday of Lent.
In the US, Mother’s Day began as a day developed to celebrate peace in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe. Mother’s Day as we know it today began when a woman named Anna M. Jarvis’s mother passed away. After the death, Anna convinced her church to pass out carnations to honor her on the second anniversary of her death, the first official Mother’s Day. Anna chose white carnations, symbolizing her mother’s purity, love and endurance. Red carnations eventually took on a similar meaning, symbolizing a living mother.
There are many Mother’s Day FAQs that many people aren’t aware of:
- Mother's Day is second only to Christmas and Chanukah in flower sales. Contrary to popular belief, Valentine's Day falls behind Mother's Day in flower-giving.
- 45% of flowers sold are fresh flowers
- 64% of women buy flowers
- 36% of men buy flowers
- 94% of purchases are bought as a gift
- 6% of purchases are bought for oneself
- Mixed flowers are the most popular in fresh-cut flowers
- Geraniums and petunias are the top flowering plants sold
- 81% of women ages 40 to 44 are mothers
- 90% of women in 1976 ages 40 to 44 were mothers
If all of this history and FAQs are inspiring you to buy flowers for a special woman in your life, let some of the best online flower services assist you. No matter whom you’re sending them to: mom, your grandmother, your elderly next-door neighbor or a co-worker, compare these and choose which you like the best. Remember, Mother's Day isn't just for mothers!