Mother's Day in the Netherlands

Date: Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, aligning with many other countries around the world.

History: The modern iteration of Mother's Day began in the United States in the early 20th century, primarily due to the efforts of Anna Jarvis. The Netherlands adopted this holiday not long after it became popular in the US. It quickly gained popularity as a day to honor mothers and motherhood.

Traditions:

• Breakfast in Bed: A common tradition is for children to prepare breakfast and serve it to their mother while she is still in bed.
• Gifts and Cards: Children often give homemade gifts and cards. Purchased gifts such as flowers, particularly tulips which are quintessentially Dutch, or chocolates are also common.
• Poems: It is a tradition for young children to recite poems they have learned at school or written themselves for their mothers.
• Family Time: Many families spend the day together, engaging in activities that their mother enjoys.
• Chores: Family members might take over household chores that are typically performed by the mother, giving her a day of rest.

Mother's Day has become an important day for families across the Netherlands to express gratitude towards mothers and show appreciation for all that they do within family life.