For a lot of people, one of the most difficult aspects of living under restrictions was having to be isolated from family. Many people did not see their loved ones for weeks or months at a time, and events like Mother’s Day had to be celebrated virtually. However, now that restrictions are lifted, we once again have the opportunity to celebrate the occasion in person.

  So, while it is important to be cognisant of the dangers still posed by Covid, here are some ideas for how to make the best of Mother’s Day 2022 after two years of mostly virtual-only celebrations.  

Book Mum a holiday!

One of the things that had to go by the wayside over the past two years was the idea of going on holidays, and many people haven’t had the opportunity to get away properly since Covid struck. So why not consider gifting your Mam a trip away, be it in Ireland or abroad?

Spoil with a Spa!

Everyone loves a bit of rest and relaxation, and who’s more deserving of a bit of TLC than mothers? Just like holidays, spa tips weren’t exactly something that could be embarked on during the past couple of years, making them an even more desirable gift option for Mother’s Day this year.

Enjoy a day out…

Why not make the most of our ‘new freedom’ and treat Mam to a day out this Mother’s Day. Whether she’s into shopping, history, sightseeing etc., there’s bound to be a spot she would love to spend the day at, especially after we’ve all been restricted to much the same area(s) for so long.

  All in all, no matter what way you choose to spend Mother’s Day this Sunday, if you’re able to meet up in person, having some face to face time with loved ones remains the biggest and most meaningful change in how we’re able to celebrate this year.

  As we mentioned before, for many people, not being able to see family was the hardest part of Covid during lockdowns. So, at the very least, we can be grateful that families across Ireland will be able to spend Mother’s Day together this year.

*Our thoughts are very much with readers who lost their mother during the pandemic. We know how emotional a time this will be. You are in our thoughts.

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  Living under restrictions was an isolating experience for many families, and as such, this return to in-person celebrations is very much welcomed. Restrictions also posed big challenges for a lot of local businesses during the pandemic, so when planning how you’re going to celebrate this year, why not consider following some of our tips for how to support local this Mother’s Day.

 Support local florists

When trying to find a bouquet for Mother’s Day this year, stick to local florists. Not only are you bound to receive a beautiful bouquet, but you will be supporting a local business by doing so.

 Go for lunch/dinner locally

Celebrate Mother’s Day this year by treating your Mam to a meal in one of the many lovely restaurants in the local area. Going for a nice meal is always a winner, and now is the first time in three years that it’s possible to do so for Mother’s Day. You could also consider giving her a gift voucher so she can enjoy a meal on you at another time.

 Buy gifts locally

There are so many shops in the locality that offer brilliant gift options. Pop into some of the shops in the area, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift in no time. You could also consider gifting tickets to a show/event taking place in the area.

 Check out local walkways

There is a huge range of beautiful walkways and hikes on our doorstep that would make for a lovely activity this Mother’s Day. Why not pack a picnic and go for a peaceful walk along one of these scenic walkways? Not only will you be getting a bit of fresh air and exercise, but you’ll also being making use out of our local trails.

  However you’re planning on celebrating Mother’s Day, be sure to look out for ways you can support local while doing so.

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Originally referred to as Mothering Sunday, the tradition began as a religious custom. Held three weeks before Easter on the fourth Sunday in Lent, the day coincides with Laetare or Mid-Lent Sunday. Traditionally, Laetare Sunday was a day of respite from fasting, halfway through the penitential season of Lent.

The day’s association with motherhood stemmed from honouring Mary, Mother of God, and from the several references to mothers and metaphors for mothers in texts read in Mass in the Middle Ages. Inspired by one such psalm (‘We will go into the house of the Lord’), people began the tradition of calling to their ‘mother church’ on the day, typically the local cathedral.

During the 16^th century, people continued to visit their ‘mother churches’ on Laetare Sunday. By this time, ‘mother church’ referred to either the church where one was baptised, the local parish church, or the nearest cathedral (the mother church of all the parish churches in a diocese). Partaking in the tradition was often called going ‘mothering’, a term recorded in 1644. The gatherings reunited families, and also gave children that worked as domestic servants, or as apprentices away from home (sometimes as young as ten years old), the chance to have the day off to join their family and see their mothers. It was traditional also for mothers to be presented with flowers, picked by children on the way home from church.

By the late 18^th century, the practice was beginning to die out. However, during WWII, American and Canadian soldiers, feeling a crucial need to give thanks to their mothers whilst away at war, celebrated Mother’s Day, which sparked a revival for the tradition.

Today, the day holds a firm place in the Irish calendar. Due to American influence, the celebration is now more commonly referred to as simply Mother’s Day, and its traditions have evolved from presenting mothers with wildflowers picked on the way home, to the giving of cards, bouquets and gifts – and of course, the ever-popular breakfast in bed.

The post The history of Mother’s Day in Ireland appeared first on Roscommon People.

For many – especially those who live far from their family – Mother’s Day offers a chance to get everyone together and show the matriarchs of the family some much-deserved appreciation. While Covid restrictions mean that for a lot of people, the day won’t be spent with the full family, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t other ways to make sure that the wonderful mothers and grandmothers in our lives feel cherished; here are some of our ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day 2021, all while abiding by government restrictions.

Send flowers

Flowers are often the go-to gift on an occasion like Mother’s Day – they never go out of style. So why not order some flowers strai

ght to your loved one’s door as a Mother’s Day surprise. With many websites offering bundles to i

nclude chocolates and/or champagne, this is a no-brainer gift. It is worth noting however that it would be best to place your order as soon as possible, while there are still delivery slots available.

Create a photobook/video compilation

Facing into the second Mother’s Day under restrictions, there is sure to be a lot of sentimentally and nostalgia for times before lockdowns and coronavirus. This is exactly why spending the time to create a scrapbook of family photographs, or a video compilation of all the best home videos, would be a delightfully personal, heart-warming gift to the mother in your life – especially for those who have had to go without seeing their children, or grandchildren, for quite some time.

Treat her to Dinner

In normal times, going out for dinner on Mother’s Day, or perhaps letting Mam sit on the couch while someone else cooks, is a common occurrence. However, since going out for dinner isn’t an option at the moment, consider treating her with a voucher for one of her favourite local restaurants (for use after restrictions ease, or so that she can get her dinner delivered to her door).

Online experiences

Of course the usual video call is always good for catching up with family, but if you’re looking to spend some quality time and have some fun with Mam this Mother’s Day, investing in an online experience for the two of you to do together might be just the right move. With a huge range of different activities to choose from – from cocktail-making classes to online escape rooms, yoga classes to painting lessons – there is sure to be something a little out-of-the-box to surprise Mam with this Mother’s Day.

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