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When did Mother’s Day become such a big deal?

104 replies

Merryoldgoat · 16/03/2023 17:40

I’ll start by saying my mum died when I was in my teens nearly 30 years ago so I get it might be me comparing Mother’s Day as a child to Mother’s Day as an adult.

However all we did was get her some nice spring flowers, a box of chocolates and a card.

We might have gone to my grandmother’s but it was pretty low key, no big build up. Same for all my friends.

I have two boys and DH will facilitate two homemade cards, a nice breakfast and some simple flowers which is perfect for me. DMIL is coming over so DH can make her an afternoon tea.

When did all of the big events that trouble people for weeks start happening? The number of people on here being given so much hassle has really surprised me - I always thought it was a really low-key day.

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MrsDoylesDoily · 16/03/2023 17:41

Since social media became a thing.

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NotJohnWick · 16/03/2023 17:43

Only the people who make a big deal of it will make a big deal of it, if you see what I mean. Most people get a box of chocolates and go out for lunch in their local pub so that someone else cooks, or similar. Every year I just ask for a lie in.

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ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 16/03/2023 17:43

I couldn’t believe a Dyson hair dryer/wrap was on an advert last night as a suggestion for a Mothers Day present! Aren’t they about 350 quid?

im happy with a bunch of flowers. A Dyson hairdryer!

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Elphame · 16/03/2023 17:43

Since card and gift manufacturers realised that there was a lot of money to be made in selling more tat to eager consumers.

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Merryoldgoat · 16/03/2023 17:44

MrsDoylesDoily · 16/03/2023 17:41

Since social media became a thing.

I didn’t even think about that - makes perfect sense.

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Merryoldgoat · 16/03/2023 17:44

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 16/03/2023 17:43

I couldn’t believe a Dyson hair dryer/wrap was on an advert last night as a suggestion for a Mothers Day present! Aren’t they about 350 quid?

im happy with a bunch of flowers. A Dyson hairdryer!

Try £600.

Utterly bonkers.

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NotJohnWick · 16/03/2023 17:45

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 16/03/2023 17:43

I couldn’t believe a Dyson hair dryer/wrap was on an advert last night as a suggestion for a Mothers Day present! Aren’t they about 350 quid?

im happy with a bunch of flowers. A Dyson hairdryer!

I'd rather a lie in than an Air Wrap 😂

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MunchMonster · 16/03/2023 17:45

It's still low key for a lot of people

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Merryoldgoat · 16/03/2023 17:45

NotJohnWick · 16/03/2023 17:43

Only the people who make a big deal of it will make a big deal of it, if you see what I mean. Most people get a box of chocolates and go out for lunch in their local pub so that someone else cooks, or similar. Every year I just ask for a lie in.

No that makes sense.

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Merryoldgoat · 16/03/2023 17:46

@NotJohnWick me too!!

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Seeline · 16/03/2023 17:46

When I was a child, it was a church event. Most people who didn't go to church, didn't really do anything for Mothering Sunday. Then it became Mother's Day with all the fuss - early 90s I think.

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ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 16/03/2023 17:46

They said ‘Treat your mum this Mother’s Day!’ I was staggered. It’s worse than the shot faux French accent perfume adverts.

600 quid!😲

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SpinningFloppa · 16/03/2023 17:46

I agree. I’m a single parent and I couldn’t care less about the day but I keep seeing other single mums saying how sad they are as they won’t get spoilt for the day by partners 😒 thought it was ‘mothers’ day!

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Strugglingtodomybest · 16/03/2023 17:47

I don't know anyone who makes a big fuss over it, but the advertisers would like us to believe that everyone does.

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Restinggoddess · 16/03/2023 17:47

When companies realised they can make money out of the situation - presents, cards, flowers, meals, spa days, hairdryers, booze absolutely anything although as yet I haven’t seen a advert saying what she really wants is you to finish the DIY - now that would be great!!!

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Eatentoomanyroses · 16/03/2023 17:48

It is social media I think mainly. However, I’ve always made a massive fuss of my mum for Mother’s Day. She doesn’t like Christmas or birthdays so it’s a better day to make a fuss of her.

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CocaineBear · 16/03/2023 17:48

I know. I hate it. It's complete nonsense.

I remember when it was just a case of a card and some daffodils.

I keep seeing threads where people are talking about "their day", planning expensive days out, wanting surprises, being disappointed by rubbish presents.

When did this happen!!!?!?

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MajorCarolDanvers · 16/03/2023 17:48

The threads on here in the last few weeks 😳

It seems to be causing absolute misery for some people. Partners falling out with each. Jealousy over grandparents getting a look in. Family fall outs. Totally overblown expectations.

Its madness.

Its a Hallmark Holiday.

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Merryoldgoat · 16/03/2023 17:50

MajorCarolDanvers · 16/03/2023 17:48

The threads on here in the last few weeks 😳

It seems to be causing absolute misery for some people. Partners falling out with each. Jealousy over grandparents getting a look in. Family fall outs. Totally overblown expectations.

Its madness.

Its a Hallmark Holiday.

I know - that’s what I was thinking. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be disappointed if it was ignored but a homemade card and some £1 daffs from Co-op is perfect.

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Merryoldgoat · 16/03/2023 17:52

Seeline · 16/03/2023 17:46

When I was a child, it was a church event. Most people who didn't go to church, didn't really do anything for Mothering Sunday. Then it became Mother's Day with all the fuss - early 90s I think.

Yes! We used to go to Sunday School and on Mothering Sunday we’d all grab flowers at the end along with the card we made that morning.

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GeoffGiraffe · 16/03/2023 17:57

When I was little we always went to church for mothering Sunday (and all the ladies were given a bunch of daffs), we bought a card, some flowers and a present for my DM. We also sent cards and flowers to my Grandma's.

My Sunday will hopefully be exactly the same 😂 Church, a card and some bits off my little one (which I bought!) And then hopefully DM will come for tea. None of this will go on social media.

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PuttingDownRoots · 16/03/2023 17:58

The main difference with Christmas, mothers dat, Easter etc is people talk about them more.

I remember going on a family day out each mothers day.

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exLtEveDallas · 16/03/2023 17:58

DH is away this weekend and DD is currently tying herself in knots trying to find something for us to do or go to. It doesn’t matter how many times I tell her that I’d be happy with a card, she seems to think she has to go big.

(she’s also in a total tizz going for a meal/not going - she’s AN so it’s the last thing I want us to do and she’s hating herself because she knows she can’t do it)

Def social media driven.

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SquashPenguin · 16/03/2023 18:01

Agreed. Some of the threads on here have been cringeworthy. The moaning like it’s the last day on earth, honestly it’s embarrassing. I want I want I want. I’ve spent the last few weeks unsubscribing from every website determined to market Mother’s Day stuff to me. Mothers Day is so upsetting for some people.

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Verylongtime · 16/03/2023 18:03

I agree. A home-made card and a bunch of daffodils was the going rate when I was little, and the same when my children were small - in the 2000s. Even going out for a pub lunch and a box of chocolates seems a bit OTT to me.

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