by Lydia Neave
On the approach to Mother’s Day it’s time to start thinking about our special mums and all they do for us, and how we are going to celebrate them. We tend to show them our love by offering gifts of flowers or chocolates, but let’s take it back to the origins of Mother’s Day to find out what it really means.
In the UK, Mothering Sunday has Christian origins, taking place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Historically it was considered important for people to return to their ‘mother’ (home) church once a year in the middle of Lent. This return to the ‘mother’ church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. This led to the tradition of children, particularly those who worked as domestic servants, being given the day off to visit their mother and family. As these children walked home, they would pick wild flowers to take to church or to their mother.
The main focus of this day was, therefore, about sharing family time. However, like every day of celebration, over the centuries it has been commercialised. Unfortunately these days that means the mass purchase of single use plastics. Greetings cards, cut flowers, and boxes of chocolates often come wrapped in unnecessary unrecyclable plastic film. This poses issues for earth-conscious consumers; obviously we want our mums to feel special, but we don’t want to contribute to the plastic problem.
Let’s think of Mother’s Day in a broader context, let’s celebrate our mums whilst showing utmost respect for our planet, after all she is our Mother Nature! Remember, this day came about for the importance of sharing family time, not for sharing gifts!
How about taking your mum out for the day instead? Dedicating a wildflower bouquet for her? Or buying her a ticket for a lovely experience?
What about our beautiful Yoga and Nature Connection Mini-Retreat? It’s on 20th March near Harrogate. Your mum can experience a wonderful nature-connected day in our beautiful private ancient woodlands, enjoying yoga, rural crafts, mindfulness, fire pit meditation.
Or how about a Natural Mindfulness Walk? An hour and half focusing on her well-being while being guided in gentle mindfulness exercises.
Or if your mum would prefer something different, we’ve got lots to choose from in our Woodland Activities Calendar.
We have a large range of wonderful nature dedications which make wonderful Mothers’ Day gifts.
You can dedicate a tree in many of our locations.
How about a Living Wild Flower Bouquet? You can even dedicate a Pond for Nature.
Read about all of our Nature Dedications here.
We wish you a wonderful day, for your Mother, and Mother Nature!
