How Countries in Europe Celebrate Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is celebrated worldwide, but the date and means of celebration vary depending on country and culture.  Different countries in Europe, in particular, have their own traditions of recognizing a mother’s nurturing, unconditional, and unwavering love.

Let us take a glimpse into Mother’s Day in different European countries.  

La Festa della Mamma, Italy

Similar to the U.S., Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in Italy.  This day is one of the most loved occasions in the Italian year, coming third after Christmas and Easter.  The celebration, though, is kept simple.  Everyone returns to their family home and be with the day’s VIP.  Others who cannot celebrate personally with their mother make a call, send a card, or arrange a Mother’s Day bouquet delivery.  Mother’s Day in Italy is basically all about family and the significant role a mom plays in keeping that family intact. 

Anyák napja, Hungary

In this part of the world, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May.  Expect little children to give handmade gifts to their moms.  Mother’s Day cards and fragrant lilacs are also popular Mother’s Day gifts.  In addition, schools organize a small Mother’s Day tradition where children draw and make cards or create paper flowers to give to their moms.

Jum l-Omm, Malta

Celebrated on the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day in Malta started only in 1961.  Common Mother’s Day gifts like jewelry and flowers are given to express gratitude to moms.

Moederdag , Netherlands

The Dutch recognize the efforts of moms by spoiling them on Mother’s Day.  The second Sunday of May is a self-indulgent day for moms.  Moms get to take a break the whole day and are put on a pedestal.  Their loved ones commonly prepare breakfast for them, buy them flowers, and treat them to coffee and cake.  Giving Mother’s Day cards is also common.

Muttertag , Austria and Switzerland

The second Sunday of May in Austria and Switzerland is a celebration of love and gratitude.  School children prepare handmade gifts and cards a week before Muttertag or Mother’s Day.  Restaurants have a special menu for this special day.  Chocolates, cakes, candles, beauty products, and pampering treats are among the more popular Mother’s Day gifts.  

Dzień Matki, Poland

Called Dzień Matki in Poland, Mother’s Day in this part of central Europe is celebrated on a fixed date – May 26^th.  Polish school children prepare handmade greeting cards called laurki.  Some schools even put on a special Mother’s Day event.  The laurki is usually accompanied by flowers.  Celebrations are commonly held at home where family members visit their mothers and grandmothers.  

La Fête des Mères, France

Mother’s Day or La Fête des Mères occurs on the last Sunday of May in France. This is a very special day where every French municipality awards a special medal called “la Médaille de la Famille” (Family Medal) to mothers of large families who have raised and educated the children healthy morals.  Those with more than eight children raised get a gold medal, while those with six to seven children raised get a silver medal.  A bronze medal is given to moms who have four or five children.  The most common presents for Maman (or mom) are flowers, jewelry, and perfume.

Other countries in Europe celebrate Mother’s Day in a different month of the year.  Norway celebrates it on the second Sunday of February while in Ireland and the U.K, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent. Regardless of the time of the year mothers and mother-figures are recognized and celebrated, one thing remains true: they deserve to be honoured and thanked.