Xavier Cheng

Flowers are common Mother’s Day gifts. But to acquire them, one doesn’t need to spend tons of money. Alternatively, one can grow their own flowers

Every year, a holiday is dedicated to the mothers around the US, known as Mother’s Day. According to an official government page, National Park Service, it was conceptualized and made official by Anna Jarvis in 1908 to honor her late mother who created the Mother’s Day Work Clubs, a club where women and children cared for soldiers during the American Civil War. 

According to Woodrow Wilson House, a page dedicated to President Wilson, Mother’s Day became an official holiday on May 9, 1914 after Wilson made an announcement. The holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Every year around this time, stores start selling gifts for this occasion. Some popular gifts include flower bouquets, clothing and cosmetic items like makeup. 

However, these gifts can be costly. In recent years, they have risen in price as stores use the holiday for profit. Bouquets, according to Cable News Networks Business, have been increasing by 7.5% yearly.

Because of commercialization, Jarvis herself, went against the holiday. Stated in NPS, she thought the prices for gifts was “antithetical to the spirit of Mother’s Day” and denounced the holiday later on.

Today, similarly to most US holidays, the gift-giving process sparks debate on whether the holiday can be celebrated without gifts or not. If Mother’s Day is a day for children to show their gratitude to their mother, would there be any alternative ways to show one’s gratitude without monetary actions?

Though not everyone celebrates Mother’s Day with a gift, many still celebrate by going out for the day, either spending money on food or activities. 

“That’s her special day of being a hard working mother… I give flowers, notes, or just little things that she likes herself… She usually cries all the time when receiving it,” Junior Joseph Castanon said.

Despite giftgiving being the main exchange to give back to mothers, the origin of Mother’s Day was to honor women, and mothers in general, for their hard work. Mothers put effort and hard work towards raising and caring for their children, and a day to commemorate that hard work should be celebrated with true gratitude rather than a pricey gift (if it has no meaning to it). 

One way to honor mothers without gifts is by spending quality time. Art teacher Cathi Julien celebrates Mother’s Day with her children like any other Sunday where it’s an additional day for her family to spend time together.

“Because I know most people have a whole day. Everyone has their own way of doing things, but… when I come home Sunday night from work, my son in law will have a barbecue ready. The barbecue’s every single Sunday, so I wouldn’t be surprised if my daughter has made a cake… and there will be flowers there, but this is not necessary,” Julien said.

Others like Julien don’t consider the day any special occasion. However, because Julien’s family has their own tradition of gathering together on a Sunday, it aligns with their schedule and budget. 

Similarly, physical education teacher Stefanie Foster also celebrates Mother’s Day unintentionally, believing that it doesn’t need to be celebrated on the day.

“My mom and dad’s birthday always falls around Mother’s Day, so it’ll be more of turning into birthday celebrations… I mean, my son does give me stuff… but to me, it’s not that big of a thing for him to do with me,” Foster said.

Additionally, family gatherings can be free of cost and a great way to spend Mother’s Day. As Mother’s Day celebrates all mothers, this includes grandmothers and great-grandmothers, extending all the way to godmothers and even aunts, so families can celebrate more than one person at a time.

“My granddaughter will want to make a cake,” Julien said.

In addition to spending money on gifts, an alternate way is one can make their own gift.

“I will wear, on either Friday or Monday, the macaroni necklace my daughter made me when she was in kindergarten. It means more to me than anything. I’m also an art person, so handmade gifts from my kids mean more to me than purchase gifts,” Julien said.

As there are already plenty of holidays that Americans celebrate yearly, Mother’s Day can be costly. Though there are different ways one can avoid spending money on presents, this concept of honoring one’s mother should be a daily celebration since mothers work hard every day.

“I think a lot of moms work hard, and I hope their kids appreciate it, and I wish that they would show it, because moms are your first teacher… They are the front line of everything you’ve done in life,” Julien said.

Whether one decides to celebrate Mother’s Day or not, they should make sure to show appreciation to their mothers or guardians daily. Though Mother’s Day can be somewhat commercialized and overdone, it can be a great day to honor mothers.